A small stack of chillies, a lime and coal, all neatly tied together hang above the front door to houses, entrances to restaurants, off the tow hitch of cars and in many a rickshaw and taxi. So what are these little bundles of partly made curry and fuel about?
Folk wisdom has it that spirits that can harm are constantly looking for food. When they find none, then they attack humans. Lime is used, because it is sour, chillies because they are pungent and coal because it is black and much loved by malevolent spirits. By distracting these spirits we distract their virulent attention from us.
You can spot the little pile of goodies at the top of this image. This is the local barbers by the way…..
Hang on a minute surely chillies, lime and coal is not the best of diets.. Where’s the essential carbs, nutrients, fats and roughage, Crash diets are not healthy even for the most evil of spirits.
I love you India.
2 comments
Comments feed for this article
September 24, 2008 at 12:16 pm
nick fox
You are describing the intelligent acts of sophisticated people, Col. Porridge would have been a superior lure, but it’s very difficult to hang porridge, as you’d appreciate. Worth having a go though, especially if the Furies that assault you are particularly hellbent on mischief. My mother used to hang my fathers unwashed socks above the door, and none of us came to harm (except my father, who was roundly abused by all of us).
If you want total immunity from maleavolent spirits nail a dead chicken to the door, making sure the chicken is defrosted, of course. Ram a golf ball up the chicken’s arse, and pin a flower to its scrawny neck. The spirits love a bit of chicken, and the flower pleases them. They enjoy a round of golf, and while they are on the green you can go about your business with absolute confidence, knowing that you will only be attacked by your fellows if caught swindling them. Take more than a chicken to avoid a good drubbing then, of course, but that’s an occupational hazard, and you just take your chances (and the occasional beating) like the rest of them.
September 26, 2008 at 9:59 pm
nick fox
I love you Kidbrooke.