INTRODUCTION II 35 vessel cannot; leather is more easily cleansed than the woven cloths” (Zend-Avesta : see Fargard VII). The Assamese custom is similar. Dress :-Mekhela :—In vedic literature mekhela' means a woman's girdle or under-skirt or a Brahmachari's girdle. This dress of women is still in use in Assam. It resembles the gown of the Indo-European women. Ornament (1) Mani:-Vedic Indians wore man (= jewel) of pearl or diamond round their neck. Man is still worn by the Assamese | (2) baru :-Vedic Khadi means anklets or armlets & sometimes rings round the hands. This is worn by Assamese women to the present day. Even men wear Gan-Karu. (3) Karaya:-Vedic word Kurira means some kind or head or ear ornament. Kariya of gold is a well known ear-ornament worn by Assamese women, | Khopa:-Men among the Vedic Indians wore their hair long and in braid (Kaparda= khopa) like the women. This is also the case with the Assamese up to the present day. The educated Assamese now wear their hair short in imitation of the Bengalees. | Post and pan :-Vedic Indians used caru and Sthali' as cooking pots. The Assamese cru (generally earthenware cooking pot) and that (gcnerally big brass cooking pot) are utensils of everyday use. Profession:- (1) Weaving :--Among the Vedic Indians the work of weaving | was the special care of women. This is specially the case in Assam. (2) Samihy :-Vedic Indians used bellows of birds feathers. The Assamese still use them. Beji=Vcdic, Vest (==a needle) is also in common use.10 । Ath. VI, 133.1 Kath, Sam, 1, 13.5 : VI, 2.27.
- Mani-griva. Rik. I, 122.14..
133.8 Ath. I, 29.1. The Assamese women wear mani (generally of gold and pearl) round their neck even to the present day. Even men often wear mani. 3 Rik. V. 53.li 53.4 : i, ii6.9: VII. 56.13. । See Macdonell and Keith Vedic Index of Names and Subjects Rik. X. 85.8. 5 Rik. x, 114.3 : 1,1141-5. ৫ Rik. I, 1.6 Ah.xviii. 4.53. । Ath. vill, 6.11..
- Ath. X. 1.42 : XIV. 2.52 Rik. 1, 923,
• Rik. x. 722 Macdonell and keith's Vedic Index of Names and subjects. v Rik. vill. 78.2.
