358 



Marava-J alhi-Vernanam : 



0 f Ney Kutdfk, Arugu-dever of Kuruka-vatti, Muvaraiyan of Kodi-ku- 

 lam, Tadiija-talavan of Cadambar, Indi a Talavan of Mamyachi, and 

 the ruler of Naduva-Kuruchi. With the exception of the Upu-kottai 

 chief, the other twelve are of the Kondian-kottai Maravas. The 

 customs of their tribe are the following. They do not make use of 

 palm-wine-arrack ; and though they eat flesh-meat, they yet bathe 

 Sally ; and, putting on their silk* garments they then pay homage 

 to Siva. They also make charitable presents or donations (to temples 

 fend the Brahmins). With the exception of the wives and daughters of 

 the ruling chiefs, all their relatives follow this rule in the case 

 of young women who being childless have lost their husbands, that 

 is to say, the parents and principal persons among her relatives come 

 and enquire whether, on account of her youth, it is her wish again 

 to marry or otherwise : if she consent, another marriage is arranged ; 

 but if she do not consent, she remains a widow. In these things the 

 customs of the Upu-katai, and Kondian-kottai Maravas agree. The 

 whole of the foregoing chiefs wear on their heads a handkerchief, 

 either coloured or white, of seven or eight cubits, but do not wear 

 turbans. They wear a body-cloth coloured, in the way called Nir-kawi 

 (said to be the effect of constant washing every day) which is of eight 

 cubits ; but jackets, or vests, with long skirts are not worn by them. 



Among the Kondian-kottai Maravas, with the exceptions of the 

 twelve before mentioned chiefs, and their people, others of that class 

 reside in the Ramnad province, which is under the authority of the 

 Sethupathi ; and are in some cases possessors of villages, in others 

 renters of villages, for a time : these also give a certain smaller pro- 

 portion* than usual of tribute (vari) to the Sethupathi ; they also 

 appoint their own substitutes in the cultivation, and then hold official 

 revenue situations under the Sethupathi. Those not so employed 

 manage their own lands, and give tribute of the proceeds (vdram-varisai)) 

 according to the ordinary custom. 



The Apanur-natta Maravas follow the customs of the tribe, with the 

 receiving and giving in marriage, the same as the Kondian-kottai 

 Maravas. Some among them are possessors of the villages ; some of 



* Or, wet garments. According to the notions of the Hindus garments if wetted, or 

 silk garments, cannot convey defilement by the touch. For example, there are native 

 physicians of the Valiuvar (pariah) tribe : if they wish to feel the pulse of a person of 

 caste, a silk garment is interposed between the point of contact. Two or three native 

 doctors have had sufficient weight, by reason of their high reputation, to overcome 

 this custom. In the case of a Hindu doctor (of caste) having to feel the pulse of a 

 woman, in a case of ceremonial uncleanness, a silk garment is in likemanner interposed, 

 in order to prevent contamination. 



* The meaning seems to be, that these pay less in consideration of serving as clerks, or 

 .<r.coun.taat3, in the Cutcherry. 



