DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2373#0281
254
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
CHAPTER In the Brahmanda Purana, which is the book that they consider as
k^^^j appropriated to their cast, it is related, they say, that their ances-
June22, &c. £orSj on account of some injury done to the Brahmans, were con-
demned to follow their present mechanical occupations. They are
divided into two sects; one worshipping Siva, and the other Vishnu:
but this division produces no difference of cast, as they can all eat
and marry together, the wife, as usual, adopting the religion of her
husband. The worshippers of Siva do not wear the Linga, but are
followers of the Smartal Brahmans. A Vaidika Brahman residing
here bestows the thread and Upadesa, and attends at births, marri-
ages, and funerals, which are performed on the pile, and are some-
times accompanied by the sacrifice of a wife. Those who worship
Vishnu are followers of the Sri Vaishnavam Brahmans. Neither di-
vision of these people eat animal food, nor drink spirituous liquors.
They are allowed plurality of women, but do not confine them*
Like all the other tribes of this country, however, they do not wil-
lingly admit any person of a different race into the inner apartments
of their houses ; especially if he be of a cast that they consider as
inferior to their own; persons of their own tribe, and those whom
they consider as of higher rank, can go into every part of their
house, except the kitchen. The circumstances which seem chiefly
to add dignity to a cast are, its being restricted from the pleasures
of the world, especially those of the table ; the following no useful
employment; and the being dedicated to what they call piety and
learning. Almost every man endeavours, as much as possible, to
assume at least the external appearance of these qualifications ; and
in the people of this country a hypocritical cant is a remarkable
feature. Even young men of active professions, when talking on
business, will frequently turn up their eyes to heaven, and make
pious ejaculations, attended with heavy sighs.
The Shalay are a cast of weavers, divided into two distinct tribes,
that never intermarry, and have separate hereditary chiefs. They
f
Customs of
the Shalay.
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
CHAPTER In the Brahmanda Purana, which is the book that they consider as
k^^^j appropriated to their cast, it is related, they say, that their ances-
June22, &c. £orSj on account of some injury done to the Brahmans, were con-
demned to follow their present mechanical occupations. They are
divided into two sects; one worshipping Siva, and the other Vishnu:
but this division produces no difference of cast, as they can all eat
and marry together, the wife, as usual, adopting the religion of her
husband. The worshippers of Siva do not wear the Linga, but are
followers of the Smartal Brahmans. A Vaidika Brahman residing
here bestows the thread and Upadesa, and attends at births, marri-
ages, and funerals, which are performed on the pile, and are some-
times accompanied by the sacrifice of a wife. Those who worship
Vishnu are followers of the Sri Vaishnavam Brahmans. Neither di-
vision of these people eat animal food, nor drink spirituous liquors.
They are allowed plurality of women, but do not confine them*
Like all the other tribes of this country, however, they do not wil-
lingly admit any person of a different race into the inner apartments
of their houses ; especially if he be of a cast that they consider as
inferior to their own; persons of their own tribe, and those whom
they consider as of higher rank, can go into every part of their
house, except the kitchen. The circumstances which seem chiefly
to add dignity to a cast are, its being restricted from the pleasures
of the world, especially those of the table ; the following no useful
employment; and the being dedicated to what they call piety and
learning. Almost every man endeavours, as much as possible, to
assume at least the external appearance of these qualifications ; and
in the people of this country a hypocritical cant is a remarkable
feature. Even young men of active professions, when talking on
business, will frequently turn up their eyes to heaven, and make
pious ejaculations, attended with heavy sighs.
The Shalay are a cast of weavers, divided into two distinct tribes,
that never intermarry, and have separate hereditary chiefs. They
f
Customs of
the Shalay.