Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 7.djvu/286

WUDDURS. in stone except the fine work executed by stonemasons. These stone Wuddurs are generally men of great size and strength, very black in colour, and with somewhat more regular features, both men and women, than the earth workers. Some of their women, indeed, are very, handsome, with perfect figures, which they retain longer than is usual among such tribes.

The earth Wuddurs do not meddle with stonework in any form. Their business is with earth only, in the construction and repair of embankments of tanks, railways, field mounds, roads, and the like. They usually make contracts for such work, the rates of which depend upon the nature of the soil to be excavated, the distance or height it has to be carried, and they perfectly understand the system of measuring work by the cubic yard on the ground marked out for them. The implements they use for excavation are a very heavy pickaxe, with a single blade tipped with steel, and a hoe for loading the baskets. No sooner is a contract taken by the chief of a party, who is styled naik, than the whole, men and children, set to work; and it is surprising how much they will manage to do in a day, working both by day and by night, in such proportions as they choose or are able. The earth is transported ii baskets, which they make themselves out of date palm branches, and are very strong and serviceable. In the absence of any great embankment works for tanks, the Wuddurs have found congenial employment on all the railways, and there is no lack of work for them; and the large prices allowed for excavation and transports, yield them ample wages. They are, however, very improvident, and are much given to intoxicating drinks, both palm wine and ardent spirit.

Wuddiwars are evidently of aboriginal descent. Their languages are Tamil, Teloogoo, and Canarese, with, in rare cases, a smattering of Mahratta and Hindoostanee. Their women, like most of the southern races, do not wear the choli, or bodice. They eat almost everything. Iguanas, field rats, and some snakes, are delicacies; and all flesh, except that of the cow, or of animals that have died of any disease, is welcome. With this they have bread of sorgum, mullets, and other grain, or a stiff porridge; vegetables, onions, and garlic in large proportions.

Among the stone Wuddurs, it is strange to find, as they are utterly illiterate, that they are able to act plays, derived from the Sanscrit, with very considerable skill and power. Their instruction in the long recitations and dialogues is transmitted from generation to generation, and is entirely oral. Women act as well as men, and some of the former attain great skill. The pieces they perform are adaptations of the Ramayan and its episodes, the abduction of Sita being the most favourite. These recitations are made for village communities and rich families, and are well paid. The language employed is Canarese, Teloogoo, or Tamil, according to the vernacular of the locality.