Tharus of Dang: Rites de Passage and Festivals

222
| Kailash - chewing tobacco-set, the set of tooth-pick and ear-cleaner (Nep.- kankarno), also the medicines and acheta, kept when the owner was ill prior to his death, and his stick etc. are put by the side of his head. His shoes or slippers too are put near his feet. Now the broken beads, bangles, the anklets and other ornaments are put on the other side of his head. levelling the rice, an oil-lamp with its wick towards the dead person's head is kept lit. But no such lamp is lit if the person left no male child. After that all the male lineage After members jointly leave the mat carrying the dead body and take it out head-first and put it over the macan. The voices of the weeping persons become louder as the dead body is taken out. Funeral Procession A great crowd gathers in the house and courtyard of the dead person, composed of participants in the funeral and spectators. Only the males take part in the funeral proces- sion. Only male lineage members carry the dead and partici- pate in the subsequent rites though if necessary a few elderly men from other lineages in the village may also join Some carry the procession to supervise and guide the others. the items needed for burying or cremating the deceased while others walk empty-handed. The following articles are carried: a spade, an axe, a burning piece of dried cowdung (to make a fire), a little dried Sabai grass (to make ropes if necessary) and few bundles of straw and thatch taken from the roof of the dead person's house. These straw and thatch bundles are used in making fire for the cremation and also for the culhã or hearth of the deceased. One of the men carries the satbihi and other associated items in two worn-out baskets hung from 24 a bausā.
24.
A tool used in making pit-holes on the ground.