HINDU FIRE-WALKERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 124, 28 May 1928, Page 5

HINDU FIRE-WALKERS.

STROLL ACROSS LIVE COALS. DOCTORS I'TXD XO BLISTERS. White people were admitted to the Hindu temple at Durban for the first time to watch the lire-walking ceremony which has just been held there. Ail enormous bonfire was lit. and when many tons of lire wood had been reduced : to a wide carpet of glowing charcoal ail orchestra of reed pipes and tomtoms began playing weird Indian music. The "Soutris." or fire walkers, had silver pins stuck into their flesh and skewers pierced their tongues. They carried heavy burdens and >ome of them walked on nails which had been driven through the soles of their wooden sandals. A wild outburst of music arose, and they stepped fearlessly into the pit and walked across the fire.

Many of them crossed the red-hot layer of embers several times and seemed to feel 110 pain. Major Richards, Chief of Police, and two doctors then examined them. Not a burn or blister was to be found 011 the feet of the lire walkers. When the pins were withdrawn from their bodies there was 110 bleeding. Major Richards and the doctors were garlanded and welcomed by the Hindu priest, who said that although the ceremony would never be understood bv Europeans. it was an age-old custom among the Hindus. One of the doctors afterwards stated that lie could not explain how the lire walkers escaped unhurt. They appeared to be in a sort of trance during the ceremonv.