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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XXI. 



One of the latter cloths is called totamdra redda and the*other 

 hamas - ko nama . The totamdra redda is used while the hamas- 

 konama is with the washerman. No new cloth is bought until 

 the hamas -konama is old and unfit for use. 



Every family has a fund in reserve. This household 

 fund remains untouched even when buying a new cloth. 

 Such a purchase is made with money obtained in any other 

 way, as wages, or by selling an animal that is reared, or straw, 

 or anything that may not be needed for immediate use. 

 The wife and children are also provided with clothing in the 

 same way. The wife should have only two dresses, one for 

 home use and the other for outdoor use. 



The women do not possess more than one ornament of 

 the same kind ; while some have none at all. When occa- 

 sion demands, such women have to borrow from a friend or 

 relative. Even if there be a reserve fund in the house, it 

 is left untouched in this case. An drachchirdla (village 

 headman) or other nilame (gentleman or office-bearer) can use 

 for ten years at least a tuppattiya (a very long and broad cloth 

 wrapped round the waist) made of calico or Turkey red cloth. 

 No new tuppattiya is bought until the old one is worn out. 



When an umbrella is bought from a shop and has been 

 used for some time, a cover of calico or red cloth is put 

 over it. Even if the ribs of this umbrella are broken, it is 

 not thrown away, but they are replaced by new ones. Some 

 people, however rich they may be, will never in the course of 

 their life buy an ornament or a cloth or an umbrella, but will 

 borrow from others. The clothing and ornaments of low 

 caste people are also defined. They are not allowed to 

 spend much on these things. 



Formerly no low-caste woman was allowed to wear a neck 

 ornament, unless she be of the Potter or Smith caste ; but 

 now this custom is dying away. In ancient days a low- 

 caste man was forbidden to wear a coloured cloth, or a cloth 

 embroidered with coloured thread, in the presence of a Radala 

 (highest grade of Vellala caste) , or within the precincts of M aha 

 Nuwara ("the great city," i.e., the capital, Kandy). Because 

 of these things low- caste people need not spend much for their 

 clothing and jewellery. 



