Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 2.djvu/221

Rh Dorabidda, or children of chiefs, is the name by which Bōyas, who claim to be descended from Poligars (feudal chiefs) call themselves.  '''Drāvida. —''' A sub-division of Kamsala. South Indian Brāhmans are called Drāvidas.  '''Dūbaduba. —''' Recorded, at times of census, as an Oriya form of Budubudukala.  Duddu (money). — An exogamous sept of Māla.  '''Dūdēkula. —''' The Dūdēkulas are described by Mr. H. A. Stuart* as "Muhammadans who have taken to the trade of cotton-cleaning (dūde, cotton; ekula, to clean). By the Tamils they are called Panjāri or Panjukotti, which have the same significance. Though Muhammadans, they have adopted or retained many of the customs of the Hindus around them, tying a tāli to the bride at marriage, being very ignorant of the Muhammadan religion, and even joining in Hindu worship as far as allowable. Circumcision is, however, invariable, and they are much given to the worship of Muhammadan saints. In dress they resemble the Hindus, and often shave off the beard, but do not leave a single lock of hair upon the head, as most Hindus do. Over three hundred Hindus have returned their caste as either Dūdēkula or Panjāri, but these are probably members of other castes, who call themselves Dūdēkula as they are engaged in cotton-cleaning." The Dūdēkulas are described by Mr. W. Francis † as "a Muhammadan caste of cotton-cleaners, and rope and tape-makers. They are either converts to Islām, or the progeny of unions between Musalmans and the women of the country. Consequently they generally speak the Dravidian languages — either Canarese or Telugu — but 