114 Wilher Theodore Elmore 



It is evident that at some time, against their own wishes, the Brah- 

 mans took up the unpleasant task of being priests to a Dravidian 

 demoness. As in nearly all cases of connection with these gods, 

 some great fear of a malevolent deity was the cause. 



The Matangi worship also has taken hold of the Brahmans in 

 some places. This is most noticeable in the Cumbum Taluq of 

 the Kurnool District where this worship originated.^^ Here the 

 Brahmans have their own image of Mathamma which they wor- 

 ship. In explanation the Brahmans say that at one time a Brah- 

 man refused to worship Matangi, declaring that he would never 

 do homage to a Madiga, but his entire body broke out in sores and 

 then he capitulated. 



In connection with the worship, the Brahmans have a bufifalo 

 killed at their own house, which is a most unusual proceeding. 

 The Madigas prepare the buffalo meat, the chief cook tying a cloth 

 over his mouth to prevent any possible contamination from saliva 

 that might be ejected. While the Madigas are preparing the 

 buffalo meat, a washerman brings a goat and prepares its flesh. 

 The Brahmans furnish all pots and other utensils. 



When all is ready, the Madigas are first seated, and the Brah- 

 man pujari serves them with the buffalo meat and other food. 

 After eating, the Madigas goes outside the house and keep up a 

 most frightful din to ward off evil spirits. The Brahman pujari 

 now serves the Brahmans to the goat flesh, which they all eat, 

 sitting around the image of Mathamma. They worship the 

 image, and spend the entire night in hearing the stories of Ma- 

 tangi. In the morning they give presents to the Madigas and 

 send them away. 



A rather curious story in connection with the worship of Ma- 

 tangi by Brahmans is to the effect that in the village of Oragallu 

 a Brahman, named Patabi Rudrudu, also refused to worship 

 Matangi. All kinds of evils came upon his household. When he 

 enquired the reason he was informed that it was because of his 

 refusal to worship Matangi. He was ordered to arrange for a 

 nine days' festival for her. He himself must be the hainedu, or 



^1 See page 28. 



114 



