St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-01-08
Hook .SWinging in India.

AN"'s 'D't''eO'''S ~
Rev. Mr.. Moves, a missionary of the
American Board, stationed at kambarn,
in Southern India, writes that the bar
barous practice of hook swinging has
been revived in that section of India, and
he describes an occasion OF this sort which
he witnessed las. summer. 1t is Surpris-
ing that the British government, which
once forbade this inhlman rite, should
allow the priesls to again intiict it upon
the people. We copy his account as CIV
Ell in the Missionary Herald:
Recently, while laboring in the time
racy, | witnessed the 'hook swinging les
tival.' At the beginning of this festival,
the priest of the pagoda sends the 81
cred ashes. and other things, TO "A person
whom he selects as Il victim to be SUI
pended. On the reception of these gifts,
the man commences Il fast, denying him
self all bodily indulgence Ga the dty
fixed for the celebration of the feast, he
enters the temple with pomP and cere-
muny, and appears before the idol. The
priest performs Il ceremony over him,
utterng munthramcS, or hcathen toruI>
of prayer, and he pretendS TO he under
the influence of devils, and acts like Il
mad man. While in this state, SOM
person standing by gives him Il smart
blow on the back, which produces a
Slirht swelling. The mu-cle is here
pierced in two places, and openings are
made sufficient tor the insertion ,f the
iron hooks, which are Immediately Ia
troduced, and then pressure is applied on
everr side of the wound, 10 prevent the
issue of blood, greatly increasing the
mans sutftrings. The fact that no blood
flows is regarded hy the people Il, a M
raculous intcrpositIon. After these pre-
liminarieS, the man i taken To tine M
chine upon which he Is To be su-pcuIri
and swung about. This consist, OF II
tour-wheeied platform car, in the centre
OF which is an upright post 20 or 30 feet
high. and upon the top OF it a traverse
beam, 10 feet long, fitted TO work like 4
wellsweep, and also to be swung around
in circle. Upon one end Ot this beam,
the hooks already inserted III :he man-
back are fastened by strong ropes. l. no
ropes are also attached To the other eni
bv means of which several men mAua4,.
its motions The victim i first >wung
around in circle aul then raised III
IN the air. while the muItitude- below
fill the air with their shouting. Il 20
inG up he tavor- himself hv catchiuLuaII
of the ropes with his bands, hut pretty
soon lets - AM i suspended 10y the
hooks inserted in his back. bcin. bent
almost double. ms head and irrt h:tu-lI-,
and the muscles of hi back hrirg pulled
ont to their utmost tension. WhI!c hc i
hanging i'll this position, the car i "r.twm
bv hundreds of men. over rouLh GROUND.
around the temple. the man benz sh;tS-
en- and tossed from SIDE to side 10y the
motion of the car. 1t WAS a tu.l hour
by NV watch, that >,w the man thus
suspended. IIi- countcnlnce WAS Il p..-
turc OF distress, and when taken down h.,
seemed much exhausted.
He i next presented to the people t.
receive their offerings, and receives Lar
presents bI money an ldlllS-t pr per '
such a. he could not have uccumu. airi
bv the labor ut vrars. lie l. now lah,u
t. hi, hou>r, the hooks ate rrn we'd. ami
his wounds are treated hy the applr.-
tiun oi small cakes OF mud. made - n"i
as to burn the skin. Three OF Ihe>.
pla-ters are placed OF. each woulI, an
kept there Tor seven days, when they ar.
taken off and other medicine, are APP
piled. This l. severe treatment, bat the
wound, are SAID 10 be cifrctuaiv hcI.rl
10y il in twenty DAYS, it the man survives
it. Ga the first day he suffer, bat littIr,
because he is made in>en,lblc 10y intoN'-
eating drugs and pot!ons. Ca the So
ond and several succ, eding days, his sui
ierinas are 50 great that he will ottrn al
tempt to commit suicide: but as he i
strictly watched by his friends lie find
no opportunity, and the deed is seldom
done.
The barharous practice of hook swing
ing was discontinued for many wears il
the Nadura District, until it was again
revived in 1861 ; and Il. the people have
come to understand that the government
will not inter iere to prevent II, II Is like
ly to become u common occurrence. |
estimated the number o: persons present
on this occasion at Ii, 900"