Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 4.djvu/46

KOTTAKUNDA decided to throw themselves into a fire-pit, and so meet their death in a body. But, just as they were about to do so, they were prevented by a huge five-headed cobra. Hearing of this marvellous occurrence, the Pāndyan king who was ruling in Tinnevelly invited them to settle at Srīvaiguntam. The fort Vellālas claim that one of the Pāndyan kings gave them extensive lands on the bank of the Vaigai river when they lived at Sezhuvaimānagaram. They claim further that the ministers and treasurers of the Pādyan kings were selected from among them.

The dead are usually cremated. The corpses are borne by Kottans, who carry out various details in connection with the death ceremonies. The corpses of women are placed in a bag, which is carefully sewn up.

I am informed that, owing to the scarcity of females, men are at the present day obliged to recruit wives from outside. The Kōttaipaththu Agamudaiyans believe that they are the same as the Kōttai Vellālas.  Kottakunda (new pot). — An exogamous sept of Mēdara.  Kottan.— An occupational name, meaning bricklayer, returned, at times of census, by some Pallis in Coimbatore. Some Pallis are also employed as bricklayers in the City of Madras. Kottan is also recorded as a title of Katasan.  Kottha.— A sub-division of Kurubas, the members of which tie a woollen thread round the wrist at marriages.  '''Kottiya Paiko. —'''A sub-division of Rōna.  Kovē (ant-hill). — An exogamous sept of Gangadikāra Vakkaliga. 