s of which may chiefly
be classified as territorial and totemistic. Among the former are
Mahobia, from the town of Mahoba; Sirmaiya, from Sirmau; Orahia,
from Orai, the battlefield of the Banaphar generals, Alha and Udal;
Tikarahia from Tikari, and so on. The totemistic septs include the
Sanpero from _sanp_ a snake, the Mangrelo from _mangra_ a crocodile,
the Morya from _mor_ a peacock, the Titya from the _titehri_ bird
and the Sarkia from _sarki_ or red ochre, all of which worship their
respective totems. The Katarya or 'dagger' sept worship a real or
painted dagger at their marriage, and the Kemia, a branch of the _kem_
tree (_Stephegyne parvifolia_). The Bandrelo, from _bandar_, worship a
painted monkey. One or two groups are named after castes, as Bamhnelo
from Brahman and Bargujaria from Bargujar Rajput, thus indicating that
members of these castes became Basors and founded families. One sept
is called Marha from Marhai, the goddess of cholera, and the members
worship a picture of the goddess drawn in black. The name of the
Kulhantia sept means somersault, and these turn a somersault before
worshipping their gods. So strong is the totemistic idea that some
of the territorial groups worship objects with similar names. Thus
the Mahobia group, whose name is undoubtedly derived from the town
of Mahoba, have adopted the mahua tree as their totem, and digging
a small hole in the ground place in it a little water and the liquor
made from mahua flowers, and worship it. This represents the process
of distillation of country liquor. Similarly, the Orahia group,
who derive their name from the town of Orai, now worship the _urai_
or _khaskhas_ grass, and the Tikarahia from Tikari worship a _tikli_
or glass spangle.

4. Marriage.

The marriage of persons belonging to the same _baink_ or sept and also
that of first cousins is forbidden. The age of marriage is settled
by convenience, and no stigma attaches to its postponement beyond
adolescence. Intrigues of unmarried girls with men of their own or
any higher caste are usually overlooked. The ceremony follows the
standard Hindi and Marathi forms, and presents no special features. A
bride-price called _chari_, amounting to seven or eight rupees,
is usually paid. In Betul the practice of _lamjhana_ or serving the
father-in-law for a term of years before marrying his daughter, is
sometimes followed. Widow-marriage is permitted, and the widow is
expected to wed her late husb