130 SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL PROVINCES. [Part VII. 



craft to wliich they addict themselves. Thus there are 

 the Madell Kardwe and the Baroodell, who cast nets ; 

 the Dajidu, who carry the rod ; tlie Kisbai, who catcli 

 turtle ; the Oroo^ who fish in boats ; and the Gode 

 kawoolo, who fish from the rocks ; with others of infe- 

 rior rank. The conventional distinction socially respected 

 between these different classes is as marked and impe- 

 rative as between different castes ; so much so tliat 

 intermarriages are not permitted except between indi- 

 viduals of the five first named divisions. Their means 

 of h\ing, however, are not restricted to fishing alone ; 

 many engage in agriculture and trade, and numbers 

 are employed in everything connected with the building 

 and management of boats, catamarans, and coasting 

 vessels. To the fisher caste also belong the carpenters 

 and cabinet-makers inhabiting the villages and towns 

 on the southern coast, from Matura to Colombo, who 

 produce tlie carved ebony furniture, so highly prized by 

 Europeans. 



So abundant was the capture of fish along the shores 

 of Ceylon, that tlie Portuguese, when in possession of 

 the island, converted it into a source of revenue by 

 levying a tax of one-fourth on the quantity caught. This 

 was collected by special officers who in return for the 

 payment, undertook to protect the fishermen, to assist 

 them in cases of emergency and in times of distress, 

 to regulate all the affairs of the caste, and to fix the 

 periods of fishing. The Dutcli perpetuated the fish- 

 tax in the form in whicli it had been levied by the 

 Portuguese, but the British on gaining possession of 

 the island sought to commute it by substituting a hcence 

 for the boat. The change, liowevcr, proved most dis- 

 tasteful to the men for Avliose benefit it was designed ; 

 they disliked the direct payment in money, and preferred 

 their ancient system of payment in kind. They grew 

 indolent and indifferent, and tlie market ceased to be 

 supphed, owing to tlie reluctance of the fishermen to 

 take out a licence for their boats. The prejudices of 



