Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 8.djvu/87

 COORGS. (426)

HE group represented is of Mattana, Soobadar of Mercara, and his younger relatives.

The Coorgs are the principal inhabitants of Coorg, a mountain province lying to the west of Mysore, and between it and the coast. They are lords of the soil, and from amongst them the native officials are chosen. Their principal occupations are agriculture and hunting; they disdain all low or menial labour, and show little taste for learning, as they have been illiterate for ages. and without the means of education till lately; they are of a warlike, fierce, and revengeful character, and of proud and manly appearance. Their stature is tall, and they are muscular and broad chested. They are usually from five feet eight inches to five feet nine inches in height, but men of six feet are not rare among Coorgs. Their complexion is rather fair or light brown, with dark brown or black eyes, and straight black hair.

Coorgs live on vegetable and animal food, beef excepted; they are particularly fond of game and pork, with plenteous libations of spirits, the use of which has greatly increased of late, and drunkenness in consequence. Though much subject to local fever, the Coorgs are generally healthy, and live to a great age; there are still men alive who were present at the fall of Seringapatam.

Their religious observances are very superstitious; the principal are demon worship, worship of the dead, and of Amma, goddess of the Kaveri river, to whom they offer fruit and money. The worship of demons and of the dead is accompanied by bloody sacrifices of fowls and pigs.

The dress of the Coorgs is becoming, and very well adapted to the cold and wet climate of the province. The men wear a long white or blue coat, held together by a red sash, iii which the never-failing Coorg knife is inserted. The head is covered with a kerchief or turban. The weapons of the armed classes are a small and large knife and a matchlock gun, and their proudest ornament the medal givell to them by the British Government for services rendered in 1837,