1 i
2 $86 WAISHL- j
3 and, in consequence, there have been two oomplete interdiangei of
4 luid within the last fourteen years. It is impossible not to snppote
5 that the uncertain tenure on which the lands are held under this in- . |
6 stitution, must be a great bar to improvement ; but, in spite of this j
7 obstacle, the Eusofzvc country is cultivated with (^rcat industry and
8 success, and the villages, water-courses, and other immoveable pro-
9 perty, are as good as in most parts of Afgliaunistaim. It might also
10 be expected, that there would he a civil war in the Oolooss, hs often
11 - as tlie land was to be exchanged; and, in fact, at the expiratioii of
12 the last term but one, the half of the Naikpeekhail wliicli was in pos-
13 session of the best lands, refused to subaiiL Lo the usual custom of ;
14 drawing lots. The Mulliks of the other half complained loudly of 1
15 this injustice, and called on all the other Accozyes to preveaL the
16 sul)\ eision of the ancient custom of the tribe; so many Ooloosses :
17 declared in ilieir favour, that their opponents were forced to give way,
18 and to draw lots as usual.
19 This custom is called Waish. It prevails through tlie whote of tlio
20 £aio&yes, and also among the MahommedsTM. Tbe period iat
21 iduch tha Unds aie to be nteined» homevm, ym§ iSbmffMjnt, la
22 BooDO^ fye instanoe^ the Waiah ia petftcmed anmuUtf » Among
23 the Jodoooiy a bianch of the Eosoizyes, iadrndnala- mtncfanga
24 among themselves, bat ihere is no Waidi emong dan. ■ With the
25 OtmaunkhaQ, on the oontraijtthe whole tribe cast lota every twenty
26 yean. Among ihe Gnndefapoon m Damaim, abo» the hmda iie
27 divided into tix aharaa, ooneapondh^ to the mimber of dana in dw
28 tiib^ and all the dana dravr lola 6r the aider in tdiidi thsf aie to
29 diooae Iheb diarea. The paiiod at wMdi this cermonj ia to be
30 lenewed, is not fixed permanently as anuHig tlie Eoaofiiyeas bat while
31 one Waish is takiiig place, it ia delennined in die coundl of the
32 tribe» vrtien the rwj^t is to hqppen ; the term is generally fiom three
33 to five yean. What is most surprising is, that all tbeae tranaafHona
34 take place among the lawleaa Gundehpoony without qpianeb or
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