latter end of the eighteenth century is also worth quoting in extenso. He writes:—
"Those who imagine they have received great benefits from Mariatale, or wish to obtain them, make a vow to suspend themselves in the air. The ceremony consists in passing two iron tenter-hooks, tied to the end of a very long lever, through the skin of the votary's back. This lever is placed at the top of a mast twenty feet high. As soon as the votary is hung on the hooks, they press the other end of the lever, and lift him up in the air. In this state they turn him round as often as he chooses. He commonly has a sword and shield in his hands, and makes the motions of a man who is fighting. He must appear cheerful, whatever pain he may feel: for, if tears escape him, he is driven from his caste, but this seldom happens. The votary who is to be hung up drinks some intoxicating liquor, which makes him almost insensible, and looks upon this dangerous preparation as a pastime. After turning him several times round, they take him off, and he is soon cured of his wounds. The quickness of the cure passes for a miracle in the eyes of the zealots of this goddess. The Brāhmans do not assist at this ceremony, which they despise. The worshippers of Mariatale are of the lowest castes."[1]
In the early part of the nineteenth century Mr. Elijah Hoole was present at a hook-swinging ceremony at Royapettah in the city of Madras, and thus describes it:—
- ↑ Sonnerat, Voyage to the East Indies and China, 1774 and 1781. For this extract and translation I am indebted to E. Thurston, Ethnographic Notes in Southern India, p. 490.
