MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALARAR. 
249 
are of their sect: and the Mah&ntina, no doubt, attend at the fane- CHAPTER 
rals and other public ceremonies of the Shaynagas ; but those allege 
that this is merely for the purpose of begging, and that they per- June 22, &c, 
form no part of the ceremony. The Panchcinga reads Mantrams at 
marriages and births, and receives the usual fees. 
The Coramas, or Coramaru, are a set of people, considered by the Customs of 
Brahmans as of an impure or mixed breed. They make baskets, 
and trade in grain and salt to a considerable extent; but none of 
them can read or write. They live, in general; in small camps of 
moveable huts, which are sometimes stationary near large towns ; 
but they are often in a state of daily motion, while the people are 
following their mercantile concerns. The Coramas consist of 
four families, Maydraguta , Cavadiru, Maynapatru , and Satipatru . 
These are analogous to the Gotrams of the Brahmans ; fora man and 
woman of the same family never intermarry, being considered as 
too nearly allied by kindred. The men are allowed a plurality of 
wives, and purchase them from their parents. The agreement is 
made for a certain number of Fanams y which are to be paid by in- 
stalments, as they can be procured by the young woman’s industry; 
for the women of this cast are very diligent in spinning, and car- 
rying pn petty traffic. When the bargain has been made, the bride- 
groom provides four sheep, and some country rum, and gives a 
feast to the cast; concluding the ceremony by wrapping a piece of 
new cloth round his bride. Should a man’s wife prove unfaithful, 
he generally contents himself with giving her a beating, as she is 
too valuable to be parted with on slight grounds ; but, if he chooses, 
she may be divorced. In this case, he must assemble the cast to a 
feast, where he publicly declares his resolution ; and the woman is 
then at liberty to marry any person that she chooses, who is willing 
to take her. 
The Coramas do not follow nor employ the Brahmans ; nor have 
they any priests, or sacred order. When in distress, they chiefly 
invoke V meaty Rdmana , the Tnpathi Vishnu, and vow small offer- 
Vol. L Kk 
