The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-03-12

HVA NiollCu thC lNlCODdl lSiahdo, Ill
the Bay of Bengal, but they
are fruitful field of research
for ethnologists and other sci
entists, and would be Of great interest
to anyone of intelligence. However,
the archipelago is not easy to reach,
and the average tourist might not find
such accommodations as he is used to.
Recently DR.. w. l.. Abbott, an ex-
plorer, made trip to the Nicobars
and brought back to the National mu-
scum in Washington images carved in
wood, the votive offerings made by the
natives to ward off disease and bad
luck. If a gentleman Of Nicobar is
seriously i'll, says R. L. Honeyman, in
Grit, the first and most important
thing for him to do is to make some
sort of an image. The object to be
represented is chosen at random, ap-
parently. 1t may be chicken or a
man or lizard, but it must be a big
image and the workmanship must be
artistic, else the spirits will not ac-
cept it at all. Once 1t is finished the
spirit takes possession and the former
owner of the sick spirit is made well
at once-at least that is the way it is
supposed to work out.
Many trading vessels stop at the ar
chipelago to buy cocoanuts, and the
natives show great curiosity in regard
to whatever they find on board. In ex.
change for cocoanuts they receive
knives, cloth, guns, ammunition, to
bacco, cutlasses and rum. Also they
set high value upon plated spoons
and soup ladies', which they hang UP
In their houses as ornaments.
The cutlasses they use to cut the
cocoanuts. They have extensive plan
tations of cocoanut trees, and their
chief occupation is the gathering and
transportation Of the fruit. Men and
boys climb the trees to cut down the
nuts, which, as they fall, are gath
cred by the women and tied in pairs
with strips of bark. The nuts are
then flung across bamboos and carried
to the beach on the backs of the
women.
Natives Honest and Proud.
On the arrival Of trading vessel
the natives swarm on board, select the
articles they want and take them
away, STIMULATING to pay a certain
number Of cocoanuts on a certain day
delivered at the beach. Such promises
are invariably fulfilled, a notable trait
of the Nicobarese being their honesty
But in no way can they be persuaded
to help In the work of drying the
cocoanut "meat," for which purpose
the traders are forced to bring labor
ers from elsewhere.
The natives are extremely proud
and will not endure to be treated as
servants or interiors. They make a
very strong, sweet toddy from cocoa
nut milk, but they much prefer the
English rum. They are not drunkards
however, and only on the great annual
feast is intoxication general.
Many attempts have been made to
colonize the Nicobar islands, but with
out success, owing to the deadly ma
larial fever which prevails. For the
same reason missionary efforts have
failed, and the only record Of evangeli
cal effort is a solitary Bible, owned by
man who uses II as pillow, regard
ing It as a fetish. The people are
very dark, with straight hair falling
to their shoulders, but the men shave
their heads as a sign of mourning. TIC
some extent they are able to use their
feet as hands, employing their big toe
as a thumb for grasping, and rarely
bending to pick up any small object
from the ground.
The dress OF the men consists of 9
gre hung snake skins, bird plumage
shells and boar tusks. But the chiefs
or head men, in the presence o.
strangers, adopt more elaborate ap
parel, according to the extent OF theil
possessions in old clothes which they
have received in barter from the
traders. Plug hats are in special de
mand, and the fortunate possessor o.
one OF these may be seen struttinl
about with great self-complacency
though the remainder of his costume
may consist of nothing but the be
feathered string.
Houses Like Beehlves.
| The houses of the natives are cone
shaped or like beehives, supported OF
tall poles. SO that one can walk under
meath. The roof is matched with mats
and the sides OF the dwelling are o.
bamboo laced together. Entrance Il
al NV NOVA hla han,hoo ladders