The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1869-04-01
HoQk-SWingiug in India,


Rev. Mr.. Noyes, missionary of the
American Board, stationed at Kambarn,
IN Southern India, writes that the bar
barous practic of hook swinging has been
revived in that section of India, and he
describes an occasion of this sort which
he witnessed last summer. 1t is surpris-
ing that the British government, which
once forbade this inhuman rite, should
allow the priests to again infict it upon
the people. We copy his account as CIV
Ell in theMissionary Hearld
Recently, while laboring in the itine-
racy, | witnessed the "hook-swinging
festival" At the beginning of this fes-
tival the priest of the pagoda sends the
sacred ashes and other things to per-
son whom he selects as victim to be
suspended. On the reception of these
gifts the man commences fast, denying
himself all bodily indulgence. On the
day fixed for the celebration of the feast
he enters the temple with pomp and cer-
emony, and appears before the idol. The
priest performs ceremony over him, Ut
tering munthrams or heather forms of
prayer, and he pretends TO be under the
influence of devils, aud acts like a mad
man. While in this state some person
standing by gives him severe blow on
the back, which produces slight swell
ing. The muscle is here pierced in two
places, and openings are made sufficient
for the insertion of the iron hooks, which
are Immediately introduced, and then
pressure is applied on every side of the
wounded to prevent the issue of blood,
greatly increasing the mans sufTerings
The fact that no blood flows is regarded
by the people as miraculous interposi-
ton. After these preliminares the man
is taken to the machine upon which he is
about to be suspended and swung about
This consists of four wheeled platform
car, in the centre of which is an upright
post, twenty or thirty feet high, aud upon
the top of it transverse beam, forty feet
long, fitted to work like we'll sweep, and
also to be swung around in a circle
| Upon one end of this beam the hooks
already inserted in the mans back are
fastened by strong ropes. Long ropes
are also attached to the other end, by
means of which several men manage its
motions.
! The victim is first swung around in a
circle and then raised high in the air,
while the multitudes below fill the air
with their shouting. In going up he
favors himself by catching hold Of the
rope with his hands, but pretty soon lets
go, and is suspended by the hooks, being
| bent almost double, his head and feet
hanging, and the muscles of his back be-
| ing pulled out to the utmost tension
While he is hanging in this position, the
car is drawn by hundreds of men over the
rough ground around the temple, the
man being shaken and tossed from side
to side by the motion of the car. 1t was
full hour, by my watch, that l saw the
man thus suspended. His countenance
was picture of distress, and when taken
! down he seemed much exhausted.
He is next presented to the people to
receive their offering, and receives large
presents of money and lands-property
such as he could not have accumulated
by the labor of years. He is now taken
to his house, the hooks are removed, aud
and his wounds are treated by the appli-
cation of small cakes of mud, made SO
hot as to burn the skin Three of these
plasters are placed on each wound and
kept there for seven days, when they are
taken off and other medicines are applied.
This is severe treatment, but the wounds
are said to be effectualy healed by it in
twenty days, if the man survives it. On
the first day he suffers but little, because
/ he is made inseusible by intoxicating
drugs aud potions. On Tie second, and
several succeeding days, his sufferings are
SO great that he vii! often attempt to
commit suicide.
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