For the last Section, that dealing with the probable affinities of the Mikir race, I must take the full responsibility. It is the result of the collation and comparison of materials from many sources, and especially those contained in the three volumes of the Linguistic Survey treating of the Tibeto-Burman family of speech. The authorities on which I have relied are indicated in the text.
In the Bibliography I have entered only those works (so far as known to me) which contribute something to our knowledge of the Mikirs. I have not thought it necessary to specify mere casual allusions to the tribe, or to quote imperfect lists of words which have been superseded by more accurate material.
For the coloured illustrations I have to thank Miss Eirene Scott-O'Connor (now Mrs. Philip Rogers), and for the photographs Major Gurdon and Mr. W. C. M. Dundas; the reproductions are by Messrs. W. Griggs and Sons. The map (by Mr. J. G. Bartholomew) showing the localities inhabited by the Mikirs is taken from the new volumes of the Imperial Gazetteer of India. An explanation of the system adopted for rendering Mikir words will be found on p. 74.
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
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
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
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
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 Kunwar 55-70 Appendix: The Legend of Creation 70-72