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Introductory Note vii–xiii

Section I.

GENERAL.

• Numbers and Distribution 1–2
• Habitat 2–3
• Physical characters 4
• Traditions as to origin 4–5
• Dress 5–6
• Tattooing 6
• Jewellery 6
• Weapons 6

Section II.

DOMESTIC LIFE.

• Occupations 7
• Houses 7–9
• Furniture 9–10
• Manufactures 10
• Agriculture and crops 10–11
• Lads’ clubs (riso-mar) 11–12
• Hunting and fishing 12
• Food 12–13
• Drink 13
• Luxuries 14

Section III.

LAWS AND CUSTOMS.

• Sections or Divisions 15
• Exogamous groups 15–17
• Personal names 17
• Marriage 17–19
• Female chastity 19
• Polygamy 19–20
• Divorce 20
• Words for relationship by blood or marriage 20–21
• Inheritance 21
• Property in land 21–22
• Mikir mauzas 22
• Decision of disputes: village councils 22
• War 22
• Outsiders admitted to tribe 23
• Appendix: List of exogamous groups as given by other authorities 23–27

Section IV.

RELIGION.

• General character of popular belief in ghosts and spirits, and a future life 28–29
• Amulets 30
• The gods and their worship 30–34
• Divination and magic 34–37
• Oaths and imprecations 37
• Funeral ceremonies 37–42
• Festivities 43
• Tabu 43

Section V.

FOLK-LORE AND FOLK-TALES.

• Character of Mikir Folk-tales 44–46
• Three stories translated:—
  • 1. Story of a Frog 46–48
  • 2. The Orphan and his Uncles 48–55
  • 3. Harata Kun?war 55–70
• Appendix: The Legend of Creation 70–72

Section VI.

LANGUAGE.

• Outline of Mikir grammar 73–87
• Mikir text of three stories:—
  • 1. Story of a Frog 88–94
  • 2. The Orphan and his Uncles 95–112
  • 3. Harata Kun?war 113–150

Section VII.

AFFINITIES.

• The place of the Mikirs in the Tibeto-Burman Family 151–172

Bibliography 173–177

Index 179–183