III. 11. III. THE SOUTHERN MAHASS 343

placed by the graves and kept full for a few weeks after the burial. After- wards they are apt to get forgotten. The natives gave two explanations of the custom: one, that it would be counted in God's sight to the merit of the deceased that the birds should quench their thirst at these hurmas; the second, that the presence of the water would alleviate the oppressive heat of the tomb.

As regards the placing of pebbles on the grave, the custom maintains, but with important variations. Three instances may be quoted.

1. At H. Nuba, (Between el Kamlin and Khartoum. Population Mahass, Ga'aliin, 'Aidab, HupuR, Kawahla, Rufa'a and Shabarka.) The cemetery was on the same site as that of the ancient inhabitants. In every case the graves of the present generation were covered with small rounded yellow pebbles, excepting the graves of newly buried persons. Asked the reason of this exception the villagers stated that seven months must always elapse after the burial before the placing of the stones on the grave. If unavoidable circumstances prevented this being done on the exact day it could be done after nine months instead of after seven. If not done after nine months it was too late to do it at all. To do it, e.g. after eight months, would be useless and wrong. The stones must not be spread on the grave by men or boys or girls (virgins) but only by the married women of the village. Fekis took no part in the ceremony and there were no particular rites to be observed and no concomitant festivities. The custom was said to apply to all the villages in the neighbourhood.

2. At H. Kutrang. (About five miles from H. Nuba on the opposite bank of the river. Population Rufa'a. Village of Mahass a mile or so away.) Questioned as to the custom of sprinkhng pebbles on their graves the people said these were placed on the grave at the expiration of either seven or nine months, neither more nor less. The ceremony was invariably performed by the old women only: at 'Aylafun it was done by the men, but nowhere else that they knew of. It took place at sunrise. The nearest relative of the deceased would be expected to provide some grease {dihn) for the old women and to kill a sheep as kerdma for them. The old women carried out the duty Hght-heartedly and laughingly, all working together. The same evening the sheep would be eaten and a fatha recited. The villagers would all contribute corn from their own stores for this feast. If a man were so poor that he could not afford to hold this feast he would not have the stones put on the grave.

3. At 'Aylafun, (Between Khartoum and H. Nuba. Population Mahass claiming descent from the religious sheikh Idris Arbab, q.v. in D 3.) The people here said their custom was to sprinkle pebbles on the graves after seven months, or faihng that after nine, or failing that after eleven. If not done after eleven months it was too late. The ceremony was performed by the men and not by the women.