1S49J 



drear of Warungtd, 



259 



caste of slaves is unaffected by their condition, save in the case of 

 their being sold to Mahometans, when they become of that faith. 

 The price varies much, a rupee or two in seasons of extreme scarcity 

 is sometimes ail that is given, but in time of plenty their price rises, 

 for then the market is but scantily supplied. 



They are generally treated with kindness, the female slaves ad- 

 dress their mistresses as umma, and they are themselves called 

 ayah. Instances of extreme fidelity on the part of khitmutgars to 

 their master are recorded, but the curse of slavery, all mitigated 

 though it be, clings to the institution. Slaves of zemindars who 

 -are the class usually possessing them, are often spies and informers, 

 the objects of terror to the ryot and tradesman, who dread their 

 approach as a pestilence. 



The sects of some of the castes has already been noted — besides 

 those already noted, the oilman, weavers, some carpenters and gold- 

 smiths are Lingayets, and the number of this sect may in some de- 

 gree be estimated by their having a gooroo living near Warungul, 

 who fashions lings from the steatitic granite for the poorer classes, and 

 consecrates for the richer the symbol formed of materials more cost- 

 ly ; the ling boxes are made by the goldsmiths. But the religion of 

 the Brahmins, as set forth in the sacred books, deformed though it 

 be by polytheism, does not satisfy that insatiable craving for idol 

 worship which seems so inveterately to exist in the minds of the na- 

 tives of India. Hunnumaun, it is true, the representative of the good 

 principle, has his honors undivided, but the evil principle, the ever 

 active agent to^ afflict and torment, is propitiated under numerous 

 forms. Not to mention the terrible incarnations of Devi, there is 

 the feticism of the snake and the Saktis Yellumma, Peddumma, 

 Poshumma, Mysumma, and Sowdalumma, 



Yellumma is worshipped by all sects save the Brahmins, the 

 Coomars are her priests ; Poshumma is the goddess of the small pox ; 

 Mysumma, of tanks, to whom a buffaloe calf is sacrificed ; and Sow- 

 •dalumma is the Sakti of the Coorwars, and is represented by a black 

 stone. The Dlmngurs have a god of their own, Molunna, who is 

 said to be the Kundoba of the Mahrattas. Before him, when the 

 season has been favorable, they are swung with a hook fixed in 

 their backs, at a village called Ainool. They also worship a deity 

 called Poolraj ; he is not represented by an idol, but an altar of 

 white stones is raised to him, flowers placed on it and pooja per- 



170L. XV. NO. XXXV. R ^ 



