Folklore of the Santal Parganas Part 37

_Dewan_. The chief minister of a Raja.

_Dhobi_. A washerman.

_Dhoti_. The waistcloth worn by men.

_Dom_. A low caste, scavengers, basketmakers and drummers.

_Gamcha_. A small piece of cloth worn round the neck, or when bathing.

_Ghat_. The approach to a pool or river at which people bathe; the crossing place of a river.

_Ghormuha_. A horse-headed monster; not a Santal name.

_Goala_. A man of the cow keeping caste.

_G.o.det_. The village constable, the official messenger of the headman.

_Goondli_. A small millet.

_Gosain_. A religious ascetic, usually of the Vishnuite persuasion.

_Gupini_. A celestial milkmaid, such as those who danced with Krishna; not a Santal creation.

_Gur_. Juice of sugar cane, mola.s.ses.

_Hadi_. A low caste of scavengers.

_Jan_ or _Jan guru_. A witch finder. When a man is ill the Jan is consulted as to what witch is responsible. The Jan usually divines by gazing at an oiled leaf.

_Jahirthan_. The group of sacred trees left in each village for the accommodation of the spirits of the forest when the jungle is cleared.

_Jai tuk_. A bullock given to a woman at her marriage.

_Jhalka_. A boastful man.

_Jogi_ or _Jugi_. A religious ascetic, a mendicant.

_Lota_. A small bra.s.s water pot.

_Lakh_. One hundred thousand.

_Mahadeo_. The great G.o.d, i.e. Siva.

_Mahajan_. A moneylender.

_Mahuli_. A tribe akin to the Santals, basket makers by profession.

_Malhan_. A cultivated leguminous plant.

_Manjhithan_. The little pavilion in the centre of every Santal village at which the spirits of dead headmen are worshipped and where village councils are held.

_Mantra_. An incantation, sacred or magic formula.

_Marang Burn_. The great spirit, the original chief G.o.d of the Santals.

_Marwari_. A trader from Rajputana and the adjoining parts.

_Maund_. A weight, 40 seers or 82 pounds.

_Meral_. A small tree. Phyllanthus emblica.

_More Turuiko_. Lit.: The five or six--certain Santal G.o.dlings.

_Mowah_. A tree, Ba.s.sia latifolia, the fleshy flower is eaten and spirit is distilled from it.

_Musahar_. A semi-aboriginal caste which catches and eats rats.

_Nala_. A water course with steep banks.

_Narta_. The namegiving ceremony observed three or five days after birth, by which the child is formally admitted into the tribe.

_Ninda Chando_. The moon G.o.ddess, wife of Singchando the Sun G.o.d.

_Kat_. A dry measure used for grain.

_Kisar Bonga_. A spirit which takes up its abode in the house, frolicsome and mischievous.

_Kisku_. One of the twelve exogamous septs of Santals, by tradition it was formerly the royal sept.

_Koeri_. A cultivating caste of Hindus.

_Kora_. A youth or young man, the hero of a story is often called so throughout, and I have for convenience adopted it as a proper name.

_Kos_. A measure of distance, two miles.

_Ojha_. An exorcist, a charm doctor, one who counteracts the effects of witchcraft.

_Pachet_. A place in the Manbhum district which the Santals occupied in the course of their immigrations.

_Panchayat_. A council primarily of five which meets to decide a dispute.

_Pagri_. A cloth worn round the head, a turban.

_Paharia_. A hill man; the Saurias or Male of the Rajmahal hills.

_Pai_. A wooden or metal measure containing half a seer.

_Pan_. Betel used for chewing.