PADAM is the term by which the races desig nate themselves, whom the Assamese name Bor and Bor-Abor. The Bor occupy the mountains to the north of the Brahmaputra river, in about lat. 27° 12' N., and long. 94° to 97° E., on the west or right bank of the Dihong river, on the southern face of the Himalayas, on the borders of Tibet and China. They dwell to the south of the Bor-Abor, and their chief town is Membu. Higher up are the Bor-Abor, whose capital is Semong, of about 300 houses ; they are polyan drous, it being not uncommon for an Abor woman to have two husbands, brothers, living under one roof. They do not eat beef, but hunt, and eat the flesh of the wild buffalo. They are more powerful than the Bor. Their bachelors live in the Morang, a large building in the centre of the village for the reception of strangers, and in this custom they resemble some of the Archipelago races. They sacrifice to deities of the woods and
hills. Numbers of these people are also found on the shores of the two great northern branches of the Brahmaputra river. When first known, they made periodical descents on the plains. Bor means tribute ; hence Abor, free from tribute ; and the Padam are so arranged into the payers and non-payers of tribute. They carry bows and arrows, some of which are poisoned. Their dress is made of the bark of the Udhal tree. Bor is also said to mean great,' and we find the term of Bor Khamti employed. The Bor - Abor race dwell on the north of the Abor, occupying the mountains on the north of the Brahmaputra river, in lat. 28° N., and long. 95° E., to the west of the Dihong river.—Indian Annals; Latham'sEthnology; Aitcheson. See Abor ; India.