The state herald., 1915-02-26
YOT many world travellers have
visited the Nicobar islands. in
the Bay Of Bengal. but they
are fruitful field Of research

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. II 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. It may be chicken or n
man or lizard, but IL must be a big
image and the workmanship must be
artistic. else the spirits will not ac-
cept 1t at all. Once II 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. rs 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. stlpulating to pay a certain
number of cocoanuts on certain day.
delivered at the beach. Such promises
are invariably fulfilled, 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 eddurc 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 in,oxication general.
Many attempts have been made TO
colonize the Nicobar islands. but with.
out success. owing 10 the deadly ma.
iarial fever which prevails. For the
same reason missionary efforts have
failed. and the only record OF cvangcil.
cal effort ia n solitary Bible. owned by
man who uses Il us pillow. regard.
Ing II MS fetish. The people are
very dark. with straight hair falling
20 their shoulders. but the men shave
their heads M n sign OF mourning. To
some extent they are able TO use their
feet as hands. employing their big toe
as n thumb for graHping. and rarely
bending 10 pick up any small object
from the ground
Tho dress OF the men consIstn of
string around the waist from which
are hung snake skins. bird plumagc.
shells aud boar tushs. But tho chiefs,
or head men. In the presence OF
strangers, adopt more elaborate ap.
parel, according TO the extent OF their
posncsHlons In old clothes which they
have received In barter from the
traders. Plug hats are In special do.
mand. and the fortunate ponscnnor OF
one Of these may be seen ntruttinr
about with great anlfcomplao.ncy
though the remainder OF his ooatumo
may consist OF nothing but tho bc.
.,fcathercd string.
Houses Like Beehlves.
The houses OF tho natives are cone.
shaped or like beehlyer. supported on |
tall poles. 40 that ono can walk under. |
meath. The roof Ia matched with ma,s
and the sides Of the dwelling are of |
bamboo laced together. Entrance ia
obtained BY movable bamboo ladders, !