69 Memoir of the Survej/ of Travancore* [January 



pre-eminence, those denominations were originally allied to some 

 authority, and still command respect, but serve now to distinguish 

 rank, rather than influence or property, with regard to which they 

 are pretty much on a level, they are hereditary, were often bestowed 

 on merit, but more frequently obtained by purchase, they conferred 

 some privileges amongst them, that of having a parasol borue over 

 the head,* wearing a golden bracelet, being preceded by a particu- 

 lar kind of lamp, or having the writing instruments worn at the 

 waist, made of gold, those were also ensigns of ofHce, but a wider 

 latitude being now allowed to their assumption, they have of course 

 lost much of their value. Proprietors of land are always known by 

 the title belonging to their estate, or rather its designation is inva- 

 riably used as a prenomen. ir 



The state of society on part of this coast is in some measure pe- 

 culiar to it, at least the economy of a Nair family differs from that 

 of almost any other race of Hindoos. The uncle, or as he is styled 

 Taruwuttee Kurnaven, is the head of it, his eldest sister the mistress. 

 A family of brothers and sisters generally live together, and in most 

 instances with a degree of harmony that might serve for imitation. 

 The sons of the latter are invariably the heirs, and nepotism substi- 

 tutes the place of parental attachment. The bastardy of the chil- 

 dren, and ascendency of the women, that in Malabar so offended the 

 prejudices, and shocked the morality of the Sultan, would have here 

 given equal room for his reprehension. They are less passive, have 

 more influence in society than most other parts of India, and are in- 

 finitely less restrained in their intercourse v/ith it, they have a quick 

 understanding, are said to display great aptitude in acquirement, but 

 a capability of reading the Ramayen, is in most instances the sum- 

 mit of their attainments, they are often rich, frequently possess land- 

 ed property, the details of which they manage with great ability. 

 The commerce of the sex, is regulated by a singular sysiem whose 

 cause is effaced in the antiquity that has sanctioned the practice. 

 Its real nature and remote consequences is too intricate a labyrinth 

 to be readily developed, but the subject is suflBciently curious to de- 

 serve mention, and such must be received as the reason of its intro- 

 duction. The young Nair girl, at a very early age, undergoes the 

 form of having the Tally tied, this with the wealthy is an expensive 

 ceremony, (a crowd of guests being feasted for some days with rural 



* The use of this article is common and nocessary, bwt the honor consist* 

 in its being carried. Every Nair, of respectability is seen followed by a boy 

 who performs this office and also bears his brass vessel and beetle appa- 

 ratus. 



