E. Indies. Also jum, and erron. jh-. [Arakanese. The name is native to the Hill country, east of Chittagong; but applied by Anglo-Indians to the same system in other parts.] A system of cultivation practised in the hill forests of India and Indo-China, under which a tract is cleared by fire, occupied and cultivated for a time, and then abandoned for another tract, which is similarly treated; a tract so treated. Also attrib. Hence Joom, júm, v. to clear a joom.
1855. H. H. Wilson, Ind. Gloss., 242. Jum, Joom, a Mug village, or one belonging to a forest race on the east of Chittagong; any hill or forest village on the east of Bengal.
1869. Jrnl. Bot., VII. 157. Joom cultivation is the term used to designate the rude cultivation practised by most of the hill tribes of India.
1876. Sir W. Hunter, Statist. Acc. Bengal, VI. 46. The sign of manhood among the Chakmás is when a lad is sent out to cut his first jûm, Ibid., 67. Restrictions being placed on jûming (the hill mode of cultivation). Ibid. The people have there better júming lands.
1885. G. C. Whitworth, Anglo-Ind. Dict., 140. Jumáh, a cultivator on the jum system.
1897. Ld. Roberts, 41 Yrs. India, II. xxxix. 61. We came across a large number of these jooms (clearings).
