1835.] of the Piney range, Madura District. 667 



are at an advanced age, (owing, it is said, to a deficiency in the 

 number of females,) that some of the men are obliged to lead a life of 

 celibacy. A plurality of wives is not uncommon. It is only admitted, 

 however, in case the first proves barren ; but a connection of such a 

 nature cannot take place without the consent of the first wife, which 

 must be obtained eventually. A widow is by no means restricted, 

 she being at liberty to marry another man, if she feels inclined to do 

 so. It is not uncommon for them to prefer remaining in widowhood. 

 Chastity among the fair sex does not appear to be a leading virtue 

 among them ; they are supposed, unknown to their husbands, to 

 bestow favors on their male relatives, as well as on their neighbours. 

 But in the event it is ascertained, that a female has had sexual 

 connection with an individual of a lower caste, she is immediately 

 expelled, and banished beyond their limits, when she becomes the 

 property of some Kunnuver, who is always happy to afford her an 

 asylum : in case an individual of this class debases himself by 

 cohabiting with a woman of another caste, he also undergoes the 

 sentence of banishment from his native soil. In the primitive times 

 this crime was punished with death. The marriage ceremony is 

 performed at the house of the bride : a Pandal being raised before the 

 door, under it the parties about to be consummated undergo oblation : 

 they then retire into the house, and are seated on the floor, previously 

 garnished, with their faces towards the east ; a lamp is kept burning 

 on a stool, also a measure full of paddy, and a symbol of Vignashner, 

 made of cow's dung, on the head of which are stuck two blades of the 

 Acruvumpulla grass, to which the bride and bridegroom prostrate 

 themselves ; on rising, the relatives present the Tully, a small golden 

 trinket, to the bridegroom, who ties it round the neck of the bride. 

 A bason of milk being introduced, in which are steeped some areca 

 leaves, ficus religiosa, with some of which the elder relations sprinkle 

 the heads of the bride and bridegroom ; they then get up and pro- 

 strate themselves before their joint relations, and the marriage con- 

 cludes with an entertainment. On distributing betel and areca to 

 the company the bridegroom, accompanied by his bride, retires to his 

 own house, where the day after he entertains his friends and relatives. 

 The Puryum or marriage gift is 30 fanams, and a cloth given by the 

 bridegroom to the bride's relations. The money is converted into 

 jewels to adorn her person. Estates invariably devolve to the eldest 

 son. In case there be two or more, the property is equally distri- 

 buted among them. They purchase the polians as slaves ; price of a 

 male 30 fanams ; that of a female, 50. She is considered of more 

 value on account of the children she may bear, who when born are 

 the property of the master. 



