MARCH 1, 1872.]
about half a yard long and a span broad. Our friend Lal Muhammad, a saintly Akhunzada, but a regular Munchausen, affirmed that he once met with a curious incident with regard to that animal. He was out shooting one day, when he saw a stag, which seemed to look intently in one direction. He fired off his gun, which, however, did not divert the attention of the stag. At last he found out what it was that the stag was looking at. It turned out to be a huge Hargin which had swallowed a large Markhor with the exception of his horns ! There was the porcupine, out of whose mouth protruded the head and horns of the Markhor / / My Ghilgiti, on the contrary, said that the Hargin was a great snake “like a big fish called Nang.” Perhaps, Har gin means a monster or dragon, and is applied to different animals in the two countries of Ghilgit
3. The Ghilgitis say “mey kákte tré pay; dashtea” —'my brother has three feet; explain now," This Imeans a man's two legs and a stick. 4. A Radish.-Astori mió dédo dimm déwa-lok;
dutyn sarpa-lok, buja. My grandfather's body [is] in Hades, his beard [is in] this world ; [now] explain
This riddle is explained by “a radish,' whose body is in the earth and whose sprouts, compared to a beard, are above the ground. Remarkable above all, however, is that the unknown future state, re
ferred to in this riddle, should be called, whether blessed or cursed, “Dáwalok” [the place of gods] by these nominal Muhammadans. This world is
called “Sarpalok,”—the world of serpents. “Sarpe” is also the name for man ; lok is “place,” but the
name by itself is not at present understood by the Shins.
and Astor.
7.—A Fight between Wolves and a Bear who wanted to dig their Grave. A curious animal something like a wolf is also described.
91
THE DARDS.
The species is called Kó. These animals
are like dogs; their snouts are of a red colour, and are very long ; they hunt in herds of ten or twenty, and track game which they bring down, one herd or one Kö, as the case may be, relieving the other at certain stages. A Shikari once reported that he saw a large number of them asleep. They were all ranged in a single long line. A bear approached, and by the aid of a long branch measured the line. He then went to some distance, and measuring the ground, dug it out to the extent of the line in length. He then went back to measure the breadth of the
sleeping troop, when his branch touched one of the animals, which at once jumped up and roused the others. They all then pursued him and brought him down. Some of them harassed him in front, whilst one of them went behind him and sucked his stomach clean out ab ano. This seems to be a
favourite method of these animals in destroying game. They do not attack men, but bring down horses, sheep, and game. II—BUJONI-RIDDLES, PROVERBS AND FABLES.
A.—RIDDLEs.
1. The Navel.—Tishkóreya ushkūrey halól."—The perpendicular mountain's sparrow's nest—the body's sparrow's hole.” 2. A Stick.-Mey sazik heyn, süreo peréyn, bas darre pató bija.”—“Now listen' My sister walks in the day-time and at night stands behind the door;” as Sas, sazik also means a stick, ordinarily called kunali in Astori, the riddle means: ‘I have a stick which assists me in walking by day and which I put behind the door at night.”
- Words inviting attention, such as “listen,” “explain,”
&c., &c., are generally put at the end of riddles.
5. A Hooka-G. Méy Dadi shishéji agór, lápenu, – My father's mother on her head fire is burning.’ The top of the hooka is the dadi's or grand-mother's head.
6. A Sword.—Tetáng gotéjo riſi nikai–“ Dark ness from the house, the female demon is coming out,’ i.e. : “out of the dark sheath the beautiful, but destructive, steel issues.” It is remarkable that the female Yach should be called Rái.
7. Red Pepper.—Lolo bakuro shé chd lai hā— būjal “In the red sheep's pen white young ones are many—attend l’ This refers to the redpepper husk in which there are many white seeds.. B.—PRoverBs.
8. Dotage.—To an old man people say,+Tú jarro móto shūdung:—thou and old brains delivered. “You are old and have got rid of your senses.” Old women are very much dreaded and are accused of creating mischief wherever they go. 9. Duties to the aged—(Gh.f.) Juwani keneru digasus, jarvelo bechumus.-In youth's time I gave, in old age I demand. “When young I gave away, snow that I am old you should support me.” 10. A burnt child, &c.—Ek dam agdru dádo dugúni shang the 1–0nce in fire you have been burnt, a second time take care l
11. Evil Communications, &c.—Ek khach láchek bilo bádo donate she.—One bad sheep if there be, to the whole flock is an insult.—“One rotten sheep spoils the whole flock.” 12. Ek khacho manājo budote sha;- one bad man is to all an insult.”
13. Advice to keep good company.— A mishto manitjo—kachi beyto, to mishto siché. Kacho maujo—kachi beyto, to kacho siche. When you [who are bad PJ sit near a good man
you learn good things : When you sit beside a bad man you learn bad things. This proverb is not very intelligible, if literally translated.
- The abbreviation “G.” and “A.” stand respectively for
“in the GEilgiti dialect” and “in the Astori dialect.”
