62 Wilber Theodore Elmore 



it without comment, and then in shame for her defilement threw 

 herself into a well and was drowned. The Hindu woman, learn- 

 ing what had happened, was filled with sorrow and remorse, and 

 throwing herself into the same well was also drowned. Accord- 

 ing to this story it is the spirits of these two women who are the 

 demons. The name Tota Kuramma is in the singular number, and 

 appears to be the appellation for the spirit of the Mohammedan 

 woman. 



A local variation of this story® is to the effect that a Moham- 

 medan woman was found in sin with a washerman. Her relatives, 

 hearing of this, drove her out, and she threw herself into a well 

 and was drowned. Soon after her ghost appeared and played with 

 the children. When asked its name the ghost replied that she was 

 Tota Kuramma, and gave directions that she must be worshiped. 



It does not appear that these demons are worshiped, and they 

 have no image. For protection against them a spot about six 

 inches in diameter on the outer wall near the door, is smeared 

 with yellow earth. On this whitewash is spattered, and on the 

 whitewash are placed the hotlu, the red marks which are used in 

 Hindu worship. The whitewash represents the Mohammedans, 

 as they commonly decorate their houses in this way, and the hotlu 

 represent the Hindus. It is commonly said that when the demons 

 pass along the street and see these symbols, they will say, " My 

 big sister is being worshiped in that house, so it is no place for 

 me." That is, they think a stronger demon is there, and so 

 pass on. 



The story of the origin of the demons at the Nattaryan temple'^ 

 runs as follows. Years ago a Brahman and a Sudra found them- 

 selves together at this place, where there was already a shrine to a 

 jungle demoness called Peycchiammon. As is usual in these 

 stories, there was a woman in the case, and because of her un- 

 faithfulness the Brahman resolved to become a hermit and die 



^ This story is current in the Darsi Taluq. It is said that in this region 

 thieves make use of the cry, Tota kura! to frighten the people so that they 

 will stay in their houses while the plundering is going on. The people have 

 learned this, and their faith in Tota Kuramma, and fear of her, have much 

 diminished. 



'' See page 52. 



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