The morning call., 1891-12-27
HOOK-SWINGING.
Revival Of an Abh0rrent Prac.
tice in India.

The forthcoming issue Of the Missionary
Herald will contain the subjoined article
from the pen of Rev. john S. Chandler OF
Madura.
Having learned that the old cruel prac-
tice of hook-swinging was about to be re-
vived after having been abolished for %
years. the Madura Mission directed me TO
memoralize the Madras Government and
pray them to prohibit it, revival The Gov-
eminent replied that they would discour-
age it in every way, but were not willing
to absolutely prohibit it. Their discourage
ment amounted to nothing at all, and it
cane off on the 21st inst, in the presence
Of 10, 000 people. DR.. Van Allen and went
out to see it, for the sake of being able to
give an authentic account of it.
There are four little villages in the vlcin-
ity of Solavandan inha by the people
of the Kellar or Robber caste. ln each
village is family that has the right OF Sc
lecting two candidates for the operation.
Out of the eight thus chosen one was Sc
lected by lot, and the lot fell on young
man Of % years, thick set and muscular,
and rather short of stature.
These people worship the denopess Ma
Iiamman, said to be the spirit OF a parlah
woman, who formerly was attacked by
small p0x and was left to die without
assistance. She has now become the patron
of smallpox and cholera, and is believed to
have the power to send or withhold rain,
and hO0k-swinging is thought TO be means
of propitiating her, SO as to influence her to
send rain in abundance
In 1867 this practice was revived after
having been prohibited for many years.
But upon representation to Lord Napier at
that time he again prohibited it; and now,
after twenty-four years, the people, having
learned that the present powers that be
would do no more than discourage 1t, have
revived it again with great eclat.
1t is said that previous to the insertion of
the hooks into the middle of the back the
muscles and skin are rendered insenSible
by slapping and pinching. However that
may be, there is no doubt that arrack was
given TO the man at the time. He was
brought to the police station with the two
hooks inserted back to back, one each side
of the spine. The hooks were not large,
and the flesh taken up by them seemed
very little. The wonderful strength of the
muscles of the back WAS shown by this per-
furmance.
The car consisted of a rough platform on
wheels, supporting great frame about ten
feet in length and breadth and fifteen feet
in height, the platform itself being six feet
from the ground. Up through the middle
of the great frame rose stout circular
beam of great strength, three feet above the
frame, and on the top of this beam was
pivoted the pole, sixty feet in length. from
which the man hung thirty-five feet from
the ground.
Promptly at o'clock the hooks were in
serted within some building, and the man
came rushing along the street, escorted by
cOnstables and others, who beat back the
crowd and kept up vigorous tanning.
After the short stay at the police station
they made great rush for the car, which
stood on an adjacent street, and there the
end OF the sweep was lowered to receive its
victim. Soon it was carried up again with
tie man attached. AS he went up lie
clasped MS feet ana hands together in a
measured way, and this he kept up during
the whole performance. His ankles had
jingles on them that could be heard as they
beat together with steady Ching, ching"
Before carrying him up to the greatest
height the pole was held horizontally and
the man was carried around IN complete
circle, swinging over the tops of the houses
Then the car was drawn forward 10 the first
corner, where 1t was delayed, that kid
might be sacrificed. Once In while the
man would draw w, with rope, plantains
and flowers and throw them down to the
crowd below. In one place there was
ditch to he crossed and the jolt caused him
to seize the T; p that hung by his side, but
with that exception he seemed TO hang en-
tireiy by the two hooks in his back. The
flesh was gathered up. showing great ten
sion and his back was bent.
After an hour and a quarter the car re-
turned to its starting place and the man
was released. The hooks were not taken
out, but were kept in that they might move
the people to be liberal in giving presents
to the performer. His pulse was good and
his condition seemed normal, but the flesh
of the back was so drawn up as to leave
deep holes for the hooks. He put on an air
of bravado and even offered to swing for a
second time If suitable present should be-
given. 1t was only in the evening that the
hooks We're taken ont
The image of the goddess was carried
around on a wooden bun behind the car,
but the great object was to get money and
for three months the man can have the
hooks and cord aud knife used to show
people and beg for presents.
Mddurd. oct. 23, 1891