129 History of the Ramoossies, [April 



of the same descent or stock, or that they ever formed matrimonial 

 connections with each other ; and as far as my information goes, 

 the opinion of the Berdurs themselves corresponds with that of the 

 Ramoossies on this point. 



The tribe of Ramoossies appears to be divided into two main 

 branches, or families, the one being denominated the Chowan, and 

 the other the Jadoo. From these two intermarrying, numerous 

 families have sprung up, but all of them are reckoned to belong to, 

 and to be the offspring of, the two main branches respectively, 

 although they have adopted various other surnames. They are 

 equally scrupulous and tenacious, in adhering to the prescriptive 

 rules of their tribe in this respect, as the higher and more pure or- 

 ders, never to marry a person of the same kool, or gottur, (family,) 

 as themselves, consequently, the different families of the Chowan 

 stock, considering themselves the descendants of the same parents 

 according to Hindoo usage, never form matrimonial connections 

 with each other ; and the same rule stands good with regard to the 

 Jadoo, and the families constituting that branch. 



Enumerating their different surnames, I find there are now about 

 one hundred and twenty-five ; but as these surnames were adopt- 

 ed, evidently from assuming the name of the village they were born 

 in after they had quitted it, to reside in some other, the original 

 surname was abandoned, and the new cognomen became familiar, 

 and the only one used — or some other name was applied, suggested 

 by some peculiarity m the appearance of a man, such as Assgurry, 

 the large man; Neekary, the man without a beard; and again Shelky, 

 from a man having turned a goatherd. 



The following are the surnames of a few of the families of both 

 branches. First: The Chowan; from whom has sprung the Bhand- 

 dollkur, Goregul, Shellky, the Keersagur, Assgurry, Koolooch Kurr- 

 ally Goorkool, Waghmary and Sulkkry, &c. &c. Secondly : The 

 Jadoo, with its descendants the Khomney, Mundly, Goury alias Ma- 

 kur, Yellmur, Jhuppurdy, Langgu, Sheretore, Bhorrdah, Tuttlay, 

 &c,&c. 



Since the Ramoossies, however, have crossed to the north bank 

 of the Neera river, two minor and distinct families have sprung up 

 among them. The first is the Rorray Ramoossies of Sonouray, 

 near the Devy Ghaut ; and the other, the Goorgool. 



The Rorray is said to be an adopted son of the Bhandolkurs, and 

 he, consequently, forms no marriage connection with the Bhan- 

 dollkur, the Shellky and Koolooch of the Chowan family stock ; 



