Buchanan, Francis: A Journey from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara and Malabar ... (Band 1) (London, 1807)

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MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR.

349

the Cunsa.

and bestow on those persons charity in money and grain. At their CHAPTER
marriages, at the neAV moons, at births, and at the Todanu, as the v^^-i^
annual commemoration of the death of their parents is called in Ju%a%^0*
the Telmga language, the Panchdnga, or village astrologer, reads
prayers (Mantrams), which are by them reckoned of great efficacy,
as they are in a language which they do not understand.

The Cunsa JVoculigaru are a tribe of Sudra of Karnata descent, Customs of
who are properly cultivators, and who formed a part of the Can-
dashara, or native militia. Their hereditary chiefs are called Gaudas,
whether they are head-men of villages or not. The Gauda by ex-
communication, or by the mulct of an entertainment, settles dis-
putes, and punishes transgressions against the rules of cast. In
cases of adultery, the head-man, assisted by his council, inquires
into the matter. If the man has been of the same cast, the adul-
teress is only reprimanded, the husband of course retaining the
power of giving her corporal punishment, although he rarely pro-
ceeds to such extremities; but if the man has been of a strange
cast, the adulteress is excommunicated. They can all intermarry,
and the men are allowed to take several wives. The women are
very industrious spinners, and labourers in the field, and continue
to be marriageable after the age of puberty. Widows ought to be
buried alive with their husband's bodies; and some of the more
strict people regret that the custom has become entirely obsolete.
They are allowed to eat animal food, but not to drink spirituous
liquors. Some of them can read, and write accompts. They all
worship the Saktis, by sacrificing animals, which they afterwards
eat. They believe, that after death the spirits of good men become
a kind of gods, and, by sending dreams, warn men of what is to
happen. Bad men, after death, become devils, but have no power
over the living. To the sainted spirits they offer sacrifices. Some
of them take the vow of Ddseri, and some pray to T>harma Raja.
The Panchdnga, or village astrologer, reads Mantrams to them at
marriages and births, and in some places attends at the annual

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