Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 7.djvu/209

Rh :Chinnam, gold.
 * Kansugaje, small bronze bells, tied to the legs when dancing.


 * Urukathi, a kind of knife.


 * Vajjira, diamond.


 * Vasishta, a Hindu saint.


 * Mogila, clouds.


 * Onne (Pterocarpus Marsupium). Do not mark their foreheads with the juice from the trunk of this tree.


 * Kuzhal, the flute played by shepherd boys and snake charmers. If the sound thereof is heard during a meal,what remains of the food should be thrown away.


 * Rākshasa, a giant. Do not celebrate the Dīpāvali festival in honour of the victory over, and death of, a rākshasa.


 * Erumai, buffalo.

The headman of the caste is called Ejaman, who has under him an officer entitled Dalavayi. The caste messenger bears the name of Kondikar. These three offices are hereditary. The Ejaman presides at council meetings which are held at the temple of the caste. The eldest member of each family is entitled to a seat on the council. Those who come late to a meeting thereof prostrate themselves before the assembly. Witnesses before the council have to take an oath, which is administered by the Kondikar. He makes the witness stand within a circle drawn on the ground, and makes him repeat the formula "Before God and the elders assembled, with the sky above and the earth beneath, I will state only the truth." The Kondikar then takes up a pinch of earth, and puts it on the head of the witness. For merely threatening to beat a person with shoes, the offender has to feed twenty-five castemen. If he takes the shoes in his hands he must feed fifty, and, if he