Folk Lore Notes Folklore Of Gujarat

- The author of this discourse has to delve deep into the cultural heritage of Gujarat and Konkan for getting materials to prepare the script in two volumes. The notes would amply the repay the labour of republication, with a summary and suitable index. They deal very fully with spirit worship and possession, witchcraft and magic, and the evil eye. They differ from the present notes in being to a large extent comparative assembling under the various heads of ancestor worship, spirit haunts, spirit possession, exorcism, etc., kindred beliefs from all parts of the world. From the materials accumulated –a comprehensive study of the folk-lore of western India may one day be compiled. The notes illustrate very fully the common beliefs in unseen presences causing mischief of various kinds. They illustrate the common methods of protection by propitiation, of spirit and disease scaring, and of avoidance of the effects of the evil eye. Ceremonies for exorcising spirits that have possessed human beings are given in some detail. In that context the subject of the book will generate a good amount of interest amongst the readers.