DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2373#0025
MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR. 7
The Dhui, or sour curds, is made of buffalo's milk; and is much CHAPTER
superior, he says, to that of Calcutta, and considerably cheaper. On *•
account of the comparatively high value of provisions, he has
hitherto been rather depressed in spirits.
Throughout the Carnatic the ass is a very common animal. The Asses,
breed is as small as in Bengal; but there is a singular variety among
them in their colour; some are of the usual ash colour, whilst
others are almost black, in which case the cross on their shoulders
disappears. Milk-white asses are also to be found, but they are
rare. These are not varieties as to species; for black individuals
have sometimes ash-coloured colts, and, on the contrary, black colts
are sometimes produced by ash-coloured dams. They are kept by
five classes of people, who are all of low cast, for the higher ranks
disdain the use of an animal so impure. The ass is kept, 1st. by
washermen, called Venar; 2d. by a people called Caravar, that
carry salt from the sea-coast to the interior parts of the country j
3d. by tinkers, called Cunnar, who go up and down selling brass
utensils ; 4th. by people called Vaylacarar, who sell the glass rings
worn on the wrists by the women of this country; lastly, by a
wretched kind of people called Chensu Carir.
I have as yet obtained but an imperfect account of this tribe. They CfonsuCarw,
are said to have neither house nor cultivation; but catch birds and
game, part of which they sell for rice. One common article of
their food is the white ant, or Termes. They travel about from place
to place, conveying their baggage and children on asses. Every
man has also a cow, instructed like a stalking horse, by means
of which he approaches his game, and shoots it with arrows.
The Chensu Carir, who preserve their native manners, and ne\rer
come among the villages, are said to speak an unintelligible jargon,
and have no clothing but the leaves of trees. Those, who oc-
casionally wander about in the cultivated country, understand
many Telinga words, and wear a small slip of cloth to cover their
nakedness.
The Dhui, or sour curds, is made of buffalo's milk; and is much CHAPTER
superior, he says, to that of Calcutta, and considerably cheaper. On *•
account of the comparatively high value of provisions, he has
hitherto been rather depressed in spirits.
Throughout the Carnatic the ass is a very common animal. The Asses,
breed is as small as in Bengal; but there is a singular variety among
them in their colour; some are of the usual ash colour, whilst
others are almost black, in which case the cross on their shoulders
disappears. Milk-white asses are also to be found, but they are
rare. These are not varieties as to species; for black individuals
have sometimes ash-coloured colts, and, on the contrary, black colts
are sometimes produced by ash-coloured dams. They are kept by
five classes of people, who are all of low cast, for the higher ranks
disdain the use of an animal so impure. The ass is kept, 1st. by
washermen, called Venar; 2d. by a people called Caravar, that
carry salt from the sea-coast to the interior parts of the country j
3d. by tinkers, called Cunnar, who go up and down selling brass
utensils ; 4th. by people called Vaylacarar, who sell the glass rings
worn on the wrists by the women of this country; lastly, by a
wretched kind of people called Chensu Carir.
I have as yet obtained but an imperfect account of this tribe. They CfonsuCarw,
are said to have neither house nor cultivation; but catch birds and
game, part of which they sell for rice. One common article of
their food is the white ant, or Termes. They travel about from place
to place, conveying their baggage and children on asses. Every
man has also a cow, instructed like a stalking horse, by means
of which he approaches his game, and shoots it with arrows.
The Chensu Carir, who preserve their native manners, and ne\rer
come among the villages, are said to speak an unintelligible jargon,
and have no clothing but the leaves of trees. Those, who oc-
casionally wander about in the cultivated country, understand
many Telinga words, and wear a small slip of cloth to cover their
nakedness.