Long

ages of oppre ion have degraded the Doms, who are loathed by all decent castes. ‘They are scavengers, and remove the dead; but they may not approach respectable people. They inhabit marshes and jungles, where others cannot live, where they rear pigs, eat vermin, and live none know how. They are filthy in person and habits, much given to drink, thieves and liars, but perhaps not as bad as they are represented to be. We never found them such when settling them in large work camps; and we had much experience among them, as an engineer and sportsman. After a little teaching, with good treatment, they soon learned self-respect, and proved good and faithful workmen, very strong and able when well fed (see Bhils). They were once hardy shepherds, and mountaineers who held the pa es and levied black-mail, or robbed those who failed to pay, like Rob Roy or the bold Buccleuchs; but they now bring their forest produce, bamboo baskets and gra mats, selling them to the lowest castes, who pa them on to the higher. The Doms are still nomads, and accompanied the gipsey race of Jats when they left India, hence the name Romani (for Doman), the “gipsey wife” being a Domani-pan i, or Romni-pen, according to Mr Leland. The Doms are very fond of music, and worship their drums like Mongols (see Drums), They play music at marriage feasts of even the highest castes, though none come near them. In Bihar the sister, or the sister's son is the family priest, reading 2 Mantras at funerals (as among Bhuiyas, Tatwas, Pasis, and some Gonds): for all these worship Saktis or female powers. Doms and Gonds have a fish god, whom they call the Dharm-Raja or “king of righteousne ” (see Fish). Door. A very ancient symbol. 584