Government of British India

“ The Sonthal women are fat and short, and though not pretty according to the European idea of beauty, have a very pleasing expression of countenance. The men are generally five feet six inches in height, and weigh about eight stone. ”

“ They pray chiefly for protection from famine and sickness, from disease among their cattle, and for defence from wild animals and snakes. To propitiate their invisible deity, they sacrifice buffaloes, pigs, goats, and poultry, sprinkling the blood of the victim over the offerings of the worshippers. The flesh is eaten by the persons invited to the feast, which generally terminates in debauchery, stimulated by a wild dance. ”

“ The Sonthals, though armed with no more formidable weapons than bows and arrows, are excellent shots; "so expert that nothing with life is to be found near their villages when of any standing;" the bear falls an easy prey, and Captain Sherwill mentioned having seen running hares and even birds on the wing, brought down by them ”

“ The dress of the men is a small piece of cloth round the loins, that of the women an ample flowing cloth, one end of which is fastened round the waist, the other passed over the left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder and arm uncovered ”

“ He cultivates as little land as possible, preferring to undergo the fatigue of hunting, travelling for miles to get a shot at a deer or peacock, or in roaming about in search of honeycombs, wild yams, or other edible roots. ”