| caption: |
Chapter Twenty-seven. Return to Nagaland |
| caption: |
arrival at Chui through village gate; girl's grave |
| text: |
On the steep ascent to Chui our jeep broke down and we continued on foot. In front of the village-gate, an elaborate bamboo structure, there was a cemetery, which exemplified the incipient admixture of new elements to the Naga cultural pattern. Next to corpse-platforms of the old type there was the funeral-cist of a daughter of the chief. The corpse had been placed into a large round stone-cist which bore the English inscription: "In memory of Miss Meniu." Gongs and brass dishes had been deposited close by, and the cist was encircled by a string of small bells such as are worn by Ang girls. The two-pronged ceremonial spear of the girl, a symbol of chiefly rank. stood behind the cist. |
