1834.] Memoir of the Survei/ of Travancore. 62 



Nomboories, a denomination confined to those of Suddikerala.* 

 The Alwanch^yree Tambrakal is viewed as the chief of the Nom- 

 boories, though he possesses no distinct jurisdiction over them. 

 In the scale of precedency the Adhienmars, or the descendants 

 of eight principal families who once ruled Kerala, hold the first 

 place. Pad is a title bestowed on superior rank, sanctity, ou 

 learning. Those who have performed the Ootram are termed Akka- 

 terypad ; skill in the offices of priesthood, obtains the appellation 

 of Buttaderypad, while those who have achieved the sacrifice of 

 the Yoigani, merit the title of Chomadreepad, and enjoy the privi- 

 lege of wearing large gold ear-rings, those having controul in tem- 

 ples are called Muttumadda Putter, if Poties, Tundreeadhein. The 

 learned in the Vaidans, Sandies, or officiating priests, there are 

 Sunneeasees of various appellations, ranks, and shades of difFerencCy 

 though such a life does not here imply the observance of any very 

 inconvenient austerities. There is too considerable distinction of 

 property, but the Nomboories are not split into sects, each deity has 

 an equal share in their hom.age, nor do their opinions or practice, 

 except in some frivolous observances, differ from the bramins of the 

 other coast, they are said to be lax in the performance of their re- 

 ligious duties, at least less scrupulous than formerly, they deplore 

 but don't amend this degeneracy of faith and zeal ; which the Put- 

 ters over whom they claim a superiority, (denied by them) ascribe 

 to the malediction of Sancara Atchayrai. They have no Agrarams, 

 nor do they ever live segregated, loving retirement, they court the 

 seclusion afforded by the valiies of the interior. Their lllums, large 

 and commodious, canopied in foliage, and seated on the bank of 

 some river or stream, breathe an air of undisturbed repose, and 

 evinces a considerable share of afHuence. Those not possessing 

 property, it will have been seen, derive an ample subsistence from 

 the religious establishments : this they receive as a right not as 

 charity. Pursee Rama, having conferred on the Nomboories, all 

 temporal as well as spiritual authority, they still profess to claim the 

 sole sovereignty of the soil, though their possessions have been con- 

 siderably reduced. At an earlier period they held unbounded sway 

 over the minds of the people, nor has this pernicious influence yet 

 entirely ceased, but originating in the degradation of the lower 

 orders it must decline as they improve. The Nairs are still in some 

 measure their slaves, t at least when holdino- or superintending their 



* The name has some reference to then- having been (as the legend says) 

 emigrants. 



• t In addressing the bramins they style themselves so, and are called ge^ 

 nerally by them Adhienmars or slaves. 



