102 An Account of the Tribe of Mliadoo Kolies. [Jan. 



the stout, robust, and often coarse, Koonby women of the plain, a very- 

 considerable difference is perceptible. Where so much poverty reigns, 

 we cannot expect the females to be particularly well dressed. The 

 Koleens in general have a very limited wardrobe — the whole consisting 

 of little more than two or three sarhies (and these are often much worn) 

 and about an equal number of cholies. They tuck up the sarhy, after 

 the fashion of the women of the Konkan, so that it seldom comes down 

 lower than the knee. They have few ornaments ; a small golden nose- 

 ring, and, probably, a small ring of the same metal in each ear, with 

 two or three silver rings on their fingers. The wives of some Patells 

 and of the Naiks, of course dress a little better than the other women 

 of the village. Yet all the Koleens are, like most other Indian females, 

 fond of ornaments and dress. As wives (notwithstanding the Kolies 

 have sometimes more than one) there is every reason to suppose, that 

 they are as faithful, and as much attached to their husbands, as those 

 of any other tribe. That there are instances of infidelity among them 

 cannot be denied; but in their small villages there are seldom, or ne- 

 ver, such inslances of highly degrading and immoral conduct to be seen 

 as are so prevalent in the towns and villages in the desh, or plain. 

 Indeed the Kolies, both men and women, appear shocked at the disso- 

 lute manners of the population of the open country. The Koly women 

 have commonly very large families ; but many of their children die 

 in their infancy of the small pox, the measles and hooping cough. 

 They are affectionate mothers, and, notwithstanding the very labori- 

 ous life they lead, seem cheerful and happy. Their time Ms much oc- 

 cupied with their domestic affairs and out door work. In fact their 

 drudgery seems unceasing. 



They rise every morning at dawn, and often before that 

 time, to grind the corn required for the days consumption ; they 

 then milk their cows and buffaloes, and assist in driving them 

 out to graze ; they sweep the house and frequently plaster the 

 floor ; their business is to bring water from the river, which is 

 frequently at a considerable distance. Cooking provisions for the fami- 

 ly follows — besides attending to the children, or nursing one of them. 

 However, it is during the rainy season, that the heaviest share of labour 

 devolves on the Koly females.* They have also to perform a most 

 onerous portion of the field labour, as they assist their husbands 

 in the harassing task of transplanting the rice plants, and, at a subse- 

 quent period, of weeding them and the various grain growing in the 

 other fields. They likewise contribute their aid at the reaping season. 



* In the months of August and September, the grass on the hills becomes very rank ; 

 that known by the name of Ghohona is said to possess a peculiar heating quality, and that 

 the milk of cows and buffaloes that graze on it produces a great degree of stupor, and, on 

 strangers, that it acts as a drastic cathartic. 



