OF BHARATAVARSA OK IXDIA. 
197 
The Kurumbas are as jealous about their social position 
as the other Hindus. '"^ They have fought and are still 
fighting when the opportunity occurs with great pertinacity 
against any real or imaginary encroachments on their rights 
of precedence. Very serious disturbances used to take place 
at the great annual festival held about February in the Siva 
shrine at Muduhuturai in the KoUegal Taluk^ where about 
50,000 people assemble on the banks of the Kaveri, and 
About the ensigns compare Part I, pp. 91, 92, note 59. 
See Mackenzie CoUection, No. 9, CM. 763, XII; No. 11, CM. 765 ; No. 
14, CM. 768, Vni;No. 20, CM. 774, X, and Dr. Francis Buchanan's 
Journey from Madras through the Countries of Mysore, Canara and Malabar, 
vol. I, pp. 274-276, 312, 379-381, 389 ; vol. II, pp. 3, 40, 155, 156, 433-436- 
In vol. I, pp. 274-276 he says : " The Curubaru are an original caste o^ 
Karndta, and, wherever they are settled, retain their language. They are 
divided into two tribes, that have no communion, and which are called Handy 
Curubaru, and Curubaru proper. The last again are divided into a nimiber of 
famUies ; such as the Any, or elephant Curubaru ; the Hal, or Milk Curu- 
baru ; the Colli, or fire C; the Nelly C.\ the Samanta C; the Coti C; 
the Asil C.\ and the Hurhindina Curubaru. These families are like the 
Gotrams of the Brahman s ; it being considered as incestuous for two persons of 
the same family to intermarry. The proper Curubas have hereditary chiefs, 
who are called Gaudas, whether they be headmen of villages or not, and possess 
the usual jurisdiction. Some of them can read accompts, but they have no 
book. The proper duty of the caste is that of shepherds, and of blanket- 
weavers ; and in general they have no other dress than a blanket. A few of 
those who are rich have betaken themselves to the luxury of wearing cotton 
cloth next their skin ; for all castes and ranks in this country wear the blanket 
as an outer garment. The dress of the women resembles that of the females 
of the kingdom of Ava. The blanket is put behind the back, and the two 
upper comers, being brought forward tmder the arms, are crossed over the 
bosom, and secured by the one being tucked under the other. As their blanket 
is larger than the cloth used by the women of Ava, the dress is more decent. 
The Curubaru were, besides, Candachara, or militia ; cultivators, as farmers, 
as servants, and as gardeners ; Attavana, or the armed men who serve the 
Amildars ; Anchay, or post-messengers, and porters. They are allowed to eat 
animal food, but in most places are not permitted to drink spirituous liquors. 
In other places this strictness is not required, and almost everywhere they 
intoxicate themselves with palm-wine. The women are very industrious; 
and perform every kind of work except digging and ploughing. Even after 
the age of puberty they continue marriageable, and can only be divorced for 
adultery. In this caste the custom of Cutiga, or concubinage, prevails ; that 
is, all adulteresses who are turned away by their husbands, and have not 
gone astray with a strange man, and all girls and widows, to whom a life of 
celibacy is disagreeable, may live with any man of the caste who chooses to 
keep them. They are looked down upon b}- their more virtuous sisters ; but 
26 
