CnAP. XXII. BADAGAS. 367 



of the Badagas are scattered all over the plateau of the hills, 

 and theii- land occupies two-thirds of its area. They are 

 much darker, and not nearly such fine men as the Todars, 

 wear cotton-cloth turbans and clothing much like other 

 natives of India, and are very superstitious and timid ; but 

 they are industrious, though not so much so as the labourers 

 who come up from the plains, and kind and affectionate to 

 their Avomen and children. The Badagas, though they possess 

 herds of buffaloes, are chiefly employed in cultivation. Their 

 crops consist of raggee {Eleusine corocana), the most prolific 

 of cultivated grasses,"" which is made into dark brown cakes 

 and porridge ; samee or Italian millet, barley, an amaranth 

 called heeray, some pulses, mustard, onions, and potatoes. 

 We often passed through the Badaga villages. The houses 

 are built in a single row, with one thatched roof extending 

 over so as to form a verandah, supported on poles. In front 

 there is a hard mud floor, where the piles of grain are heaped 

 up ; and there is generally a Swami-howse or temple, with a 

 verandah in front supported by numerous poles, the walls 

 and poles being painted in red and white stripes, the Hindu 

 holy colour. Round the villages there are cultivated patches 

 of raggee and samee, which they were reaping in December. 

 In the centre of the fields there is a small threshing-floor, 

 where we often saw the Badagas sifting the grain from the 

 chaff by shaking it through sieves, and letting the wind blow 

 the chaff away. A Todar was generally squatting near, like 

 an old vulture, waiting for his goodoo. The Badagas belong 

 to the Siva sect, their principal deity being Rungaswamy, 

 whose temple is on the summit of the easternmost peak of 

 the Neilglierries ; but they also worship 338 other idols or 

 Sivaniis, such as trees, streams, stone pillai'S, and even old 

 knives. 



^^ Eaggee, however, is the least uou- I poorer classes in Mj'sore and on tlie 

 risliing of all the cereals, althougli it N'eil;j;hcrr!es. In good seasons it yields 

 forms the cliief part of the diet of the [ 120-fold, hut it is very piH)r fare. 



