Page:Castes and tribes of southern India, Volume 5.djvu/150

NAGAVASULU Nāgavāsulu.— The Nāgavāsulu are described, in the Vizagapatam Manual, as "cultivators in the Vizagapatam district. Women who have not entered into matrimony earn money by prostitution, and acting as dancers at feasts. Some of the caste lead a bad life, and are excluded from the body of the caste." In the Madras Census Report, 1891, it is stated that "Nāgavāsamu means a company of dancing-girls, and the sons of women of this profession frequently call themselves Nāgavāsulu. The bulk of the caste in Vizagapatam, however, are said to be respectable farmers." It is noted, in the Census Report, 1901, that "most of the Nāgavāsulu are cultivators, but some of the women are prostitutes by profession, and outsiders are consequently admitted to the caste. Their title is Naidu."  Nāgellu (plough). — An exogamous sept of Bōya.  Nagna (naked). — A name for Sanyāsis, who go about naked.  Naidu.— Naidu or Nāyudu is a title, returned at times of census by many Telugu classes, e.g., Balija, Bestha, Bōya, Ēkari, Gavara, Golla, Kālingi, Kāpu, Mutrācha, and Velama. A Tamilian, when speaking of a Telugu person bearing this title, would call him Naicker or Naickan instead of Naidu.  Naik.— The word Naik (Nāyaka, a leader or chief) is used, by the older writers on Southern India, in several senses, of which the following examples, given by Yule and Burnell,* may be cited: —

(a) Native captain or headman. "II s'appelle Naique, qui signifie Capitaine." Barretto, Rel du Prov de Malabar. 