Note 87 — C

Religion. 4. They are Muhammadans of the Sunni sect, but have various tribal deities of diverse origin. Kâlika is one of the forms of Hindu mother worship.87 Sahja Mâi is the feminine element in the quintette of the Pânchonpîr. Her worship is common in Bihâr.88 Hardiha or Hardaur Lâla, one of the aggregate of the collective village gods (Deohâr), and three Muhammadan saints known as Ghaus Pîr, Barê Pîr, and Ghâzi Miyân are also venerated. These deities are worshipped in the months of Kârttik and Jeth with offerings of fowls and rice boiled in milk with sugar (khîr). They bury their dead in a graveyard like ordinary Muhammadans. At the festivals of the ‘Id and Baqar ‘Id they offer food to the spirits of the dead (purkha log). To those who have died a violent or unusual death special offerings are made of rice milk (khîr) at the ‘Id, and the halwa sweetmeat at the Baqar ‘Id. Some females on certain days in the week offer a fire offering (hom) to the traditional teacher (ustâd) of the trade, whose name they have forgotten.