The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-27
QUEER ASSAM TRIBEsMEN.
IRON the Homeward Mai.l

lE'rom the HomeWard NALL
In no part of the world can the stud
ent of ethnology and evolution find bet
ter material for research and thought
than on the Assam frontier. From the
Akas and AIiris in the north to the
Looshais in the south the country be-
tween Assam and Burmah is peopled
by the strangest of human beings, in
various stages of civilization, whose
habits and customs are of SURPRISING
interest, as showing the degrees and
methods by which man emerged from
the darkness of savOgery. Among the
Assam frontier tribes are to be found
in actual process of growth all those
functions of government and of human
relationship the evolution of which has
been the life study of our keenest phil
osophers. 1t happens, however, that
certain physical obstacles stand in the
way of gathering a very intimate ac-
cfuaintance with the tribeSmen. They
live in country exceedingly difficult to
travel over, and when not actively hos
tile are as shy and timId as wild ami
mails in the presence of strangers. Fur
Their, the government of India, in It's
anxiety to avoid all cause of friction
on the frontier, not only does not en-
courage, but actually forcibly prevents
white men from entering the country
of some of the most interesting trfHcs
We have some knowledge of the
LoOshais, Naggas and Manipuris, but
with the Akas, Dallas, Miris, Abors
A1ishmis. Khamtis and Singphos. The
only people who can get glimpseS into
the life of the last named tribes are
those officers who are brought into po-
Htical relationship with them, and they
are so busy with Administered tive duties
as to have little leisure for phiosophlc
inquiry. The government of India has
recently shown an awakened interest
in what we might call the romantic and
imaginative side of Indian adminlStra-
ton, though, of course. the study of
romance can be as strictly scientific as
that of anything else. and perhaps. now
that we are to have director general
of archaeology. we might also have
director general Of ethnOgraphy. The
one would find as much material in
ready indicated, is there n lore room for
speculative study than on the Assam
frontier.
For the present however, continues
the writer, we are constrained to de-
pend on official publications. with all
their reticence and inaccuracies. for our
knowledge of the fascina ting girdle
that encircleS Assam. ManipOFe. of
course, is the most important frontier
state It Will always be connected with
the terrible occurrences that took place
there in 1893. We have punished muir
der outrage and the worst form of
treacheEy by bestowing on the people
a settled and orderly form of govern
ment, but it is strange to read re-
mark presumably by Colonel Maxwell,
to the effect that the Maharajah Marjit
was able to restrain the offenses Of
housebreaking and cattle lifting. to
which Manipuris are especially prone,
better than we can. But the Mahara-
jahs methods were peculiarly Mani
puri. He cut off the feet and hands
of all Offenders The outer big state
on the Assam frontier is. of course
but with it we have very little /
to do except to go through an extra
ceremony yearly of exchang-
ing presents, whereby the Bhutias go |
home not only richer, but with a very /
poor opinion of our wisdom.
In the year under report the Phutias !
were given 5. 900 rupees in cash and other /
presents. and in return thew presented to |
the government two Bhutia blankets, Two |
yak tails, two cups, Two pieces OF lnuSi3n I
and a Bhutia- pony. All these items We're /
sold at public auction for 5l-12 rupees and I
the sale proceeds were credited to the |
rajahs came into TezpOre on February /
%, 1860, and We're pa1d their posa allow
ance Of 2,526-7 rupees in cash. with other |
presents. They, in return, presented me /
government with three blankets, q Bhutia /
bag and d yak tail The rajahs reported /
that there was no is aSe OF disturbance t
In their hills The Thebengia Ehut3as |
came to TezDore on March Z, 1900, and
ceived 1876 rupees in cash. with the /
CLOTH etc. They presented in return two /
one yak tail and a few chillies- /
posa payments We're given to understand 1
clearly that they have NJ longer any I
'bOhOfia' claims upon any OF our plains I
people. and that there must be no sort
Of tyranny. oppression or extorticn Of 1
money practised against any of our sub
jects whatever. on pain of stoppage OF
Dallas and Miris. we are told very litfie |
except that they received presents. and, I
ike the Bhutias. presented US with value
less articles in exchange