Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/48

40 assembled the Petrilu (literally ancestors, but here denoting household images, or gods) they put rice on the sickle. As the names (of the ancestors? or family?) are repeated in order, each time the rice is put on, that name is chosen on the mention of which the sickle moves, and is given to the child. They then drink liquors, and eat báji. They give rice and flesh to the Jáni.

When two years are elapsed, they cut off the child's hair, and on that occasion, killing some animal, and procuring liquor, they make báji.

3. The ceremonies customary at funerals.—On the life ceasing, they tie a sheep to the foot of the corpse. They carry the clothes, brass eating-dish, brass drinking-vessel, ornaments, grain in store, and the said sheep, all together to the burning-ground. Having burned the body, and gone round about the pile, they leave all those things there, and beating drums, return home. Those garments the Pánó take away. They procure liquor, and drink it. They then go to their respective houses and eat. On the next day, they kill a she-buffalo, and get together a great quantity of liquor. The whole of the tribe (near and distant relations) being assembled, they make bajibáji [sic], and eat: they beat the drum (or drums). If the deceased were of any consequence, dancers come, and dance to the sound of their drums; to whom some animal is given, which they take and go away. Subsequently on the twelfth-day, they carry a hog to the spot where the body was burned; and after perambulating the site of the pyre, return to their home; where they kill the hog in the place set apart for their household gods; and procuring liquor, they make báji; the members of the tribe eating together.

4. Case of death by a tiger.—Should a tiger carry off any one, they throw out of doors all the (preserved) flesh belonging to him, and all the people of the village, not excepting children, quit their homes. The Jáni being come, with two rods of the tummèca tree (Tamil—Véla maram) he plants these in the earth; and then bringing one rod of the Conda-támara tree, he places it transversely across the other two. The Jáni, performing some incantation, sprinkles water on them. Beginning with the children, as these and the people pass through the passage so formed, the Jáni sprinkles water on them all. Afterwards the whole of them go to their houses, without looking behind them.

5. (Degraded occupations).—The Mangili (barber) Pánó, Hadi, Dandási, these castes, being excepted, the Codulu people eat with all the other tribes.

6. (Treatment of Brahmans).—The Codulu people do not pardon the Brahmans (or show them favour beyond others).