Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 110

HUMAN
70
SACRIFICES
take advantage in the first moment of confusion of any
opportunity for pillaging. In fact, the unfortunate in-
habitants of the country fear an invasion of a hostile army
far less than they do a sudden irruption of these terrible
Lambadis.
Of all the castes of the Hindus this particular one is
acknowledged to be the most brutal. The natural pro-
clivities of its members for evil are clearly indicated by
their ill-favoured, wild appearance and their coarse, hard-
featured countenances, these characteristics being as
noticeable in the women as in the men.
In all parts of
India they are under the special supervision of the police,
because there is only too much reason for mistrusting them.
Their women are, for the most part, very ugly and
revoltingly dirty.
Amongst other glaring vices they are
supposed to be much addicted to incontinency and they
are reputed to sometimes band themselves together in
search of men whom they compel by force to satisfy their
;
lewd
desires.
The Lambadis are accused of the
crime of offering up human sacrifices.
still
more atrocious
When
they wish to
they secretly carry off
the first person they meet. Having conducted the victim
to some lonely spot, they dig a hole in which they bury
him up to the neck. While he is still alive they make
a sort of lamp of dough made of flour, which they place
on his head. This they fill with oil, and light four wicks
in it.
Having done this, the men and women join hands,
and, forming a circle, dance round their victim, singing
and making a great noise, till he expires.
Amongst other curious customs of this odious caste is
one that obliges them to drink no water which is not
drawn from springs or wells. The water from rivers or
tanks being thus forbidden, they are obliged in a case of
absolute necessity to dig a little hole by the side of a tank
or river and take the water t