DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5829#0231
NEILGHERRIES.
205
whose intellect can scarcely be said to amount to
anything more than instinct, and who are governed
by few laws except those of the brute creation.
The Burgas are the most numerous class, are
somewhat more personable, and apparently more
cleanly, though it is questionable if they be much
more civilised than the Kotas. They are the culti-
vators of the soil, and are a very industrious race,
notwithstanding they are said to have sprung ori-
ginally from the inert Hindoos. In person they are
diminutive, but active ; the countenance is far from
intelligent, though mild, and the complexion is fair.
Both sexes would be vastly more engaging if they
could be taught the luxury of cleanliness; but, alas !
like the paharris of the Himalas, they are said to
wash but once in seven years. The costume of the
women, though very original, also appears susceptible
of improvement, inasmuch as discomfort and unsight-
lincss would seem to have been the desiderata of
the invention. It consists of a peculiar style of
petticoat—to call it rude, to call it uncouth, bar-
barous, would give no adequate notion of its incon-
gruous discomfort and unsightliness—made of the
very crudest description of coarse hempen-cloth, in
the fashion of an elongated sack, but open at bottom.
Being tied by a running string immediately under
the arms, it descends to the ancles, leaving the neck,
shoulders, and arms, bare; and again it is confined
at the knees, in the same manner, by a second string;
T
205
whose intellect can scarcely be said to amount to
anything more than instinct, and who are governed
by few laws except those of the brute creation.
The Burgas are the most numerous class, are
somewhat more personable, and apparently more
cleanly, though it is questionable if they be much
more civilised than the Kotas. They are the culti-
vators of the soil, and are a very industrious race,
notwithstanding they are said to have sprung ori-
ginally from the inert Hindoos. In person they are
diminutive, but active ; the countenance is far from
intelligent, though mild, and the complexion is fair.
Both sexes would be vastly more engaging if they
could be taught the luxury of cleanliness; but, alas !
like the paharris of the Himalas, they are said to
wash but once in seven years. The costume of the
women, though very original, also appears susceptible
of improvement, inasmuch as discomfort and unsight-
lincss would seem to have been the desiderata of
the invention. It consists of a peculiar style of
petticoat—to call it rude, to call it uncouth, bar-
barous, would give no adequate notion of its incon-
gruous discomfort and unsightliness—made of the
very crudest description of coarse hempen-cloth, in
the fashion of an elongated sack, but open at bottom.
Being tied by a running string immediately under
the arms, it descends to the ancles, leaving the neck,
shoulders, and arms, bare; and again it is confined
at the knees, in the same manner, by a second string;
T