Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India.djvu/324

BELLATHANNAYA Besala is given annually in the name of deceased ancestors. The use of alcohol and flesh, except beef, is permitted. They make both grass and bamboo mats."  Bellathannaya (jaggery : crude sugar).—An exogamous sept of Bant.  Bellē (white).—An exogamous sept of Kuruba. The equivalent bile occurs as a gōtra of Kurni.  Belli.—Belli or Velli, meaning silver, has been recorded as an exogamous sept of Badaga, Korava, Kuruba, Mādiga, Okkiliyan, Toreya, and Vakkaliga. The Belli Toreyas may not wear silver toe-rings. Vellikkai, or silver-handed, has been returned as a sub-division of the Konga Vellalas.  Bēlu (Feronia elephantum).—An exogamous sept of Kuruba.  Benayito.—A sub-division of Odiya.  Bendē (Hibiscus esculentus).—An exogamous sept of Kuruba. The mucilaginous fruit (bendēkai or bandicoy) of this plant is a favourite vegetable of both Natives and Europeans. The nick-name Bendēkai is sometimes given, in reference to the sticky nature of the fruit, to those who try to smooth matters over between contending parties.  Bengri (frog).—A sept of Dōmb. <section end="H324" /> <section begin="I324" />Benia.— A small caste of Oriya cultivators and palanquin-bearers in Ganjam. It is on record* that in Ganjam honey and wax are collected by the Konds and Benias, who are expert climbers of precipitous rocks and lofty trees. The name is said to be derived from bena, grass, as the occupation of the caste was formerly to remove grass, and clear land for cultivation. <section end="I324" /> <section begin="J324" />Benise (flint stone).—An exogamous sept of Kuruba. <section end="J324" />