ISO Analysis of the Mackenzie Manuscripts. [March, 



Section 3. — An account of the Ydnddu jdti 9 or ivild people of Sri- 

 hari-cdtta, received from an old man of that tribe. 



Of old one named Ra'ghava brought with him sixty families from 

 Paca-natti district ; and located himself with them at Sri-hari-cotta, and 

 clearing the country formed Rdghava-purum. The people by degrees 

 spread through a few adjoining districts. A rishi who came from Be- 

 nares and was named Ambike'SVAREr resided in Madhydranya (or the 

 central wilderness) ; and there, daily bathing in a river, paid homage to 

 Siva. These wild people of their own accord daily brought him fruits 

 and edibles, putting them before him. At length he inquired of them 

 the reason, they replied that their country was infested by a terrible 

 serpent, and they wished to be taught charms to destroy it, as well as 

 charms for other needful purposes. He taught them, and then vanished 

 away. 



These wild people, being skilful in magic, continued in the forest. 

 They are of four classes : 



1 Chenju-Vdndlu, 3 Coya-vdndlu, 



2 Ydnddulu, • 4 Irald-vdndlu. 



The Ydnddu people are skilful in medicine. The Cdyet people 

 reside to the westward in the wilds at Gooty, Athavani, and other 

 circumjacent places. Within their forest boundaries, if any traveller 

 attempt to pluck fruit from any tree, his hand is fastened to the spot* 

 so that he cannot move ; but if on seeing any one of the Coy a people, 

 he call out to that person explaining his wishes and get permission, then 

 he can take the fruit, and move away ; while the Coy a forester, on the 

 receipt of a small roll of tobacco leaf, is abundantly gratified. Besides 

 which the C6ya people eat snakes. About forty years since a brahman 

 passing through the district saw a person cooking snakes for food, -and, 

 expressing great astonishment, was told by the forester that these were 

 mere worms ; that if he wished to see a serpent, one should be shewn 

 him, but that, as for themselves, secured by the potent charms taught 

 them by Ambikk'svarer, they feared no serpents. As the brahman 

 desired to see this large serpent, a child was sent with a bundle of straw 

 and a winnowing-fan, who went accompanied by the brahman, into the 

 depths of the forest, and putting the straw on the mouth of a hole com-* 

 menced winnowing, when smoke of continually varying colors arose, 

 followed by bright flame, in the midst of which a monstrous serpents 

 having seven heads was seen. The brahman was speechless with terror 

 at the sight ; and, being conducted back by the child, was dismissed 

 with presents of fruits, and proceeded to the north. This circumstance 

 occurred among the Coy a people of the woods or wilds to the northward 



