OF BHAEATAVAKSA OB INDIA. 
141 
SO called after Amma Kdveri or Mother Kaveri, whom they 
worship, though they do not assist at any ceremonies at the 
Kaveri temple. In fact for a considerable period the Amma- 
Kodagas do not appear to have performed any priestly func- 
tions at all. They hardly surpass their lay countrymen 
in education, and they live entirely on agriculture. They 
possess no sacred books of their own, and their influence is 
very limited. Some years back they could scarcely be dis- 
tinguished from the other Kurgs, and they have only lately 
discarded their national costume, in order to imitate the 
Brahmans in their dress and food. They wear now the 
sacred thread and abstain from animal food and liquor. 
According to tradition, the Ammas owned once half of the 
Kurg country free of rent, while the other half belonged to 
the Lay Kurgs. But circumstances have changed much of 
late, and the Amma-Kodagas are not only greatly reduced 
in numbers, but are still continuing to decrease.^'' 
Compare Coorg Memoirs of the Rev. H. Moegling, pp. 24-27 : " When 
the Brahmans for whom Parashurama's victory opened the Western Coast, 
settled in their new country, they found there an indigenous priesthood. 
They could not destroy them ; they could not, or would not, amalgamate 
with them. What was to be done ? The Parashurama Shrishti Kathe 
(history of the creation of Kerala by Parashurama) has managed the diffi- 
culty. The native priesthood, the Taulava Brahmans, are represented as 
Brahmans, created by Parashurama, but afterwards cursed by him. They 
were originally fishermen. Parashurama elevated them to Brahmanical 
rank by investing them with cords, torn from their nets. Afterwards, 
provoked by their unbelieving presumption, he degraded them for ever. 
Thus the ancient priests of the Tulu country were aibsorbed by the 
Brahmanical system as Brahmans, lying under a curse. In a similar 
manner the Ammas of Coorg appear in this Kaveri Pura^ia, as Brahmans 
indeed originally, but degraded by the curse of the Rishi Agastya. . . The 
real history of the Ammas, or Amma Kodagas has thus been effaced, and 
cannot be restored. However, a few facts may be mentioned as proofs, that 
the Ammas are the remains of the ancient priesthood, though they know it 
not themselves. 1 . Their common name is Amma Ko^aga, which would 
naturally signify: Coorgs devoted to the worship of Amma, i.e., the goddess 
of the chief river of the country, the KavSri. 2. They observe the great 
festivals of the Coorg country in the same manner as the rest of the Coorgs, 
but of course, as priests, performing puja, etc. 3. They dress like the rest 
of the Coorgs, though wearing at the same time, the Brahmanical cord. 
However, on this subject my information is rather curious. It Is said, that 
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