OF THE NILAQIRl DISTRICT. Ixxi 



Woomatixr, wlio had about that period taken refuge on these moun- 

 tains, who, on then- ai'iival, finding the land fertile, settled on them and 

 in course of time were followed by others, and now form the largest 

 proportion of the population of the hills. This class of people are 

 again sub-divided into the following sects : — Harruvars, Buddagur, 

 Shevacharas, Odykary, and Torayen ; these do not intermarry, however 

 agreeing in most other particulars. The Harruvars are of the superior 

 class, and wear the sacerdotal thread similar to the Brahmans of the 

 low counti'y. 



OF THE BUDAGEES. 



An individual wishing to form a connection of this nature proceeds Marriages, 

 to pay court to one of the other sex for a month and upwards ; during 

 this interval he is assiduous in making her small presents, and by 

 attention he seldom fails of gaining his object. He then settles with 

 her parents the stipulated sum to be paid, which varies from six to ten 

 Puns (15 to 20 rupees). Matters being thus adjusted, he takes 

 his partner home, and the ceremony concludes with a repast. The 

 parents of the young woman make over with her a cow and bullock, 

 a metal dish, and an ornament for the neck called a talley. It often 

 happens that the present stipulated is not promptly liquidated, but 

 payment deferred to a definitive period on ample security ; in default 

 of non-payment the relatives of the woman endeavour to separate her 

 from her husband. If she will not be prevailed on, it is then determined 

 according to the circumstances of the husband — a part of whose cattle 

 and other property is disposed of to meet the demand. Polygamy is 

 not uncommon among them ; an individual may have two or more wivea 

 if his circumstances will admit of his maintaining them, and they 

 generally speaking prove of infinite service to him in the labors of the 

 field, the largest portion of that duty devolving on the women. The 

 standard of union here appears very fickle and capricious ; divorces or 

 separation are not uncommon arising from disgust or disaffection, and 

 when such is the case are seldom reconciled ; this disposition to 

 incontinency is more predominant with the fair sex- In case of a 

 separation of this nature, all the children remain with the father ; and 

 the woman is moreover obliged to give up all presents, &c., she may 

 have received, the dowry being left to be adjusted on her second 

 espousal. In case the woman is in a state of pregnancy when she 

 takes this measure, the child when weaned is also consigned to its 

 father, who pays her six rupees, twenty cantirai fanams for her trouble; 

 her next husband pays the amount of the dowry stipulated on the 

 former marriage, and is moreover responsible for all debts she may 

 have incurred during it, which, if not liquidated by her second 

 husband, she is separated from him by coei'cion and married to a 

 third person fixed upon by the community. While in a state of separa- 

 tion if she should have a clandestine intercourse with another indivi- 

 dual and prove with child, the gallant is then compelled to take her 

 on paying the stipulated dowry. 



