South Indian castes/ tribes (numerically small): M
This article is an excerpt from Government Press, Madras |
Machi .—Recorded as a synonym of Myāsa Bēdar.
Madaka (plough).—An exogamous sept of Togata.
Mādāri (pride or arrogance).—A Tamil name for Chakkiliyan.
Maddi .—Maddi or Madderu, indicating those who use the root of the Indian mulberry (maddi: Morinda citrifolia) as a dye, has been recorded as a sub-division of Besthas and Kabbēras.
Maddila (drum).—Maddila or Maddili has been recorded as an exogamous sept of Kāpu and Māla.
Madhavē (marriage).—An exogamous sept of Badagas of the Nīlgiri hills.
Madhurāpuria —A name frequently given by members of the Bhatta sub-division of Gaudo.
Madhya .—Madhya or Madhaya is a sub-division of Bottada and Sondi.
Madivāla .—See Agasa.
Mādukkāran —See Gangeddu.
Madurai —The name of a sub-division of Shānān, apparently meaning sweet liquor, and not the town of Madura.
Magadha Kani .—Recorded, at times of census, as a sub-division of Bhatrāzu.
Maggam —Maggam, Magga, and Maggada, meaning loom, have been recorded as exogamous septs of Kurubas, Mālas, and Holeyas, some of whom are weavers.
Māghadulu .—A sub-division of Bhatrāzu, named after one Māghade, who is said to have been herald at the marriage of Siva.
Magili (Pandanus fascicularis).—A gōtra of Tsākalas and Panta Reddis, by whom the products of the tree may not be touched. The Panta Reddi women of this gōtra will not, like those of other castes, use the flower-bracts for the purpose of adorning themselves. There is a belief, in Southern India, that the fragrant male inflorescence harbours a tiny snake, which is more deadly than the cobra, and that incautious smelling thereof may lead to death.
Māgura —Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as a small caste of Oriya leaf-plate makers and shikāris (huntsmen). The name is said to be derived from māgora, meaning one who traces foot-paths and tracks.
Mahādev —A synonym of Daira Muhammadan.
Mahankudo .—A title of Gaudo and Gudiya. The headman of the latter caste goes by this name.
Mahanti —Mahanti is, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, defined as “a caste akin to the Koronos or Karnams (writers and accountants). The name is sometimes taken by persons excommunicated from other castes.” The word means great, or prestige. According to a note submitted to me, the Mahantis gradually became Karnams, with the title of Patnaik, but there is no intermarriage between them and the higher classes of Karnams. The Mahantis of Orissa are said to still maintain their respectability, whereas in Ganjam they have as a class degenerated, so much so that the term Mahanti is now held up to ridicule.
Mahāpātro .—Said to be a title sold by the caste council to Khōduras. Also a title of Badhōyis, and other Oriya castes.
Maharāna —A title of Badhōyi.
Mahēswara (Siva).—A synonym of Jangams (priests of the Lingāyats). The Jangams of the Sīlavants, for example, are known by this name.
Majji .—Recorded as a title of Bagatas, Doluvas, and Kurumos, and as a sept of Nagarālus. In the Madras Census Report, 1901, it is described as a title given to the head peons of Bissōyis in the Māliahs.
Majjiga (butter-milk).—An exogamous sept of Bōya.
Majjula .—A sub-division of Korono.
Majjulu .—Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as “cultivators in Vizagapatam, and shikāris (hunters) and fishermen in Ganjam. They have two endogamous divisions, the Majjulus and the Rācha Majjulus, the members of the latter of which wear the sacred thread, and will not eat with the former. In their customs they closely resemble the Kāpus, of which caste they are perhaps a sub-division. For their ceremonies they employ Oriya Brāhmans, and Telugu Nambis. Widow marriage is allowed. They burn their dead, and are said to perform srāddhas (memorial services). They worship all the village gods and goddesses, and eat meat. They have no titles.”
Mākado (monkey).—An exogamous sept of Bottada.
Makkathāyam .—The name, in the Malayālam country, for the law of inheritance from father to son. The Canarese equivalent thereof is makkalsanthānam.
Mala Nāyakkan .—A name returned by Tamil Malaiyālis at times of census.
Mala Vēdan —See Vēdan.
Malai-kanda .—A sub-division of Vellāla.
Malaimān .—See Udaiyān.
Malaiyadi (foot of the hills).—A sub-division of Konga Vellāla.
Malakkar .—It is recorded, in the Gazetteer of Malabar, that “the Malakkars, also called Malamūttanmar and Malapanikkar, are a comparatively superior tribe of jungle cultivators and hunters found in the Calicut and Ernād hills. They follow the marumakkathāyam system (of inheritance in the female line), and observe pollution for twelve days. They call their huts illams, and, if they leave them to go down to the plains, must bathe before returning. They consider themselves polluted by all castes below Nāyars. The name Mūttan is properly a title, meaning elder, confirmed on their headman by their janmis (landlords). Their chief god is Maladēvan. They are good forest watchers and elephant catchers.”
Malāra (a bundle of glass bangles, as carried about for sale).—An exogamous sept of Gauda.
Malava .—The Malavas or Mala Bhōvis are a small cultivating caste in South Canara, “the members of which were formerly hunters and fishermen. They profess Vaishnavism, and employ Shivalli Brāhmans as their priests. Hanumān is their favourite deity. Like the Bants and other castes of Tuluva, they are divided into exogamous septs called balis, and they have the dhāre form of marriage. They speak Canarese.” They are said to be really Mōgers, who have separated from the fishing community. The term Bhōvi is used to denote Mōgers who carry palanquins, etc. Malavarāyan .—A title of Ambalakkāran.
Maldivi .—A territorial name, meaning a native of the Maldive islands, returned by twenty-two persons in Tanjore at the Census, 1901.
Malē Kudiya .—A synonym of Kudiya, denoting those who live in the hills.
Malēru .—It is noted, in the Mysore Census Report, 1901, that “in some temples of the Malnād there exists a set of females, who, though not belonging to the Natuva class, are yet temple servants like them, and are known by the name of Malēru. Any woman who eats the sacrificial rice strewn on the balipītam (sacrificial altar) at once loses caste, and becomes a public woman, or Malēru.” The children of Malērus by Brāhmans are termed Golakas. Any Malēru woman cohabiting with one of a lower caste than her own is degraded into a Gaudi. In the Madras Census Report, 1901, Mālē or Mālēra is returned as a sub-caste of Stānika. They are said, however, not to be equal to Stānikas. They are attached to temples, and their ranks are swelled by outcaste Brāhman and Konkani women.
Maleyava .—Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as a small Canarese-speaking caste of beggars. In the South Canara Manual, it is stated that they are “classed as mendicants, as there is a small body of Malayālam gypsies of that name. But there may have been some confusion with Malava and Malē Kudiya.”
Maliah (hill).—A sub-division of Savaras who inhabit the hill-country.
Malighai Chetti .—A synonym of Acharapākam Chettis. In the city of Madras, the Malighai Chettis cannot, like other Bēri Chettis, vote or receive votes at elections or meetings of the Kandasāmi temple.
Mālik .—A sect of Muhammadans, who are the followers of the Imām Abu ’Abdi ’llāh Mālik ibn Anas, the founder of one of the four orthodox sects of Sunnis, who was born at Madināh, A.H. 94 (A.D. 716).
Malle .—Malle, Malli, Mallela, or Mallige, meaning jasmine, has been recorded as an exogamous sept of Bestha, Holeya, Kamma, Korava, Kurni, Kuruba, Mādiga, Māla, Oddē, and Tsākala. The Tsākalas, I am informed, will not use jasmine flowers, or go near the plant. In like manner, Besthas of the Malle gōtra may not touch it.
Mālumi .—A class of Muhammadan pilots and sailors in the Laccadive islands. (See Māppilla.)
Māmidla (mango).—An exogamous sept of Padma Sālē.
Mānā (a measure).—An exogamous sept of Kuruba.
Manavālan (bridegroom).—A sub-division of Nāyar.
Manayammamar .—The name for Mūssad females. Mana means a Brāhman’s house.
Mancha.—Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as a Musalman tribe in the Laccadive islands.
Manchāla (cots).—An exogamous sept of Oddē. The equivalent mancham occurs as a sept of Panta Reddis, the members of which avoid sleeping on cots. Manchi (good).—An exogamous sept of Padma Sālē and Yānādi.
Mandādi .—A title of Golla.
Mandai .—An exogamous section of Kallan named after Mandai Karuppan, the god of the village common (Mandai).
Mandha —Mandha or Mandhala, meaning a village common, or herd of cattle collected thereon, has been recorded as an exogamous sept of Bēdar, Karna Sālē, and Mādiga.
Māndi (cow).—A sept of Poroja.
Māndiri —A sub-division of Dōmb.
Mangala Pūjāri —The title of the caste priest of the Mogērs.
Māngalyam .—A sub-division of Mārāns, who, at the tāli-kettu ceremony of the Nāyars, carry the ashtamāngalyam or eight auspicious things. These are rice, paddy (unhusked rice), tender leaves of the cocoanut, a mimic arrow, a metal looking-glass, a well-washed cloth, burning fire, and a small round wooden box called cheppu. Māngalyam occurs as the name for Mārāns in old Travancore records.
Mangalakkal —This and Manigrāmam are recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as sub-divisions of Nāyar.
Mānikala (a measure).—An exogamous sept of Yānādi.
Mānikattāl —A synonym of Dēva-dāsi applied to dancing-girls in the Tamil country.
Maniyakkāran .—Maniyakkāran or Maniyagāran, meaning an overseer, occurs as a title or synonym of Parivāram and Sembadavan. As a name of a sub-division of the Idaiyan shepherds, the word is said to be derived from mani, a bell, such as is tied round the necks of cattle, sheep, and goats. Maniyakkāran has been corrupted into monegar, the title of the headman of a village in the Tamil country.
Manjaputtūr .—A sub-division of Chettis, who are said to have emigrated to the Madura district from Cuddalore (Manjakuppam).
Mānla (trees).—An exogamous sept of Chenchu.
Mannādi —A title of Kunnavans of the Palni hills, often given as the caste name. Also a title of Pallans and Mūttāns.
Mannādiyar .—A trading sub-division of Nāyar.
Mannān (Washerman caste).—See Vannān and Vēlan.
Mannēdora (lord of the hills).—A title assumed by Konda Doras. Mannē Sultan is a title of the Mahārāja of Travancore and the Rāja of Vizianagram. The Konda Doras also style themselves Mannēlu, or those of the hills.
Mannepu-vandlu .—Said to be the name, derived from mannemu, highland, for Mālas in parts of the Godāvari district.
Mannu (earth).—A sub-division of Oddēs, who are earth-workers. Manti, which has also been returned by them at times of census, has a similar significance (earthen). Man Udaiyan occurs as a synonym of Kusavan, and Manal (sand) as an exogamous sept of Kāppiliyan. Man Kavarai is recorded in the Salem Manual as the name of a class of salt makers from salt-earth.
Mantalāyi .—Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a sub-division of Nāyar.
Marakāllu .—Marakāllu or Marakādu, meaning fishermen, has been recorded as a sub-division of Pallis engaged as fishermen in the Telugu country. The equivalent of Mukku Marakkālēru is a title or synonym of Mōger and Marakkān of Mukkuvan. Marakkāyar is a title of Labbai boatmen.
Maralu (sand).—A gōtra of Kurni.
Marāsāri —Marāsāri or Marapanikkan, meaning carpenter or worker in wood, is an occupational sub-division of Malayālam Kammālas.
Mārayan .—A synonym of Mārān.
Māri. —Māri or Mārimanisaru is a sub-division of Holeya.
Māriyan.—Said to be a sub-division of Kōlayān.
Markandēya.—A gōtra of Padma Sālē and Sēniyan (Dēvānga), named after the rishi or sage Markandēya, who was remarkable for his austerities and great age, and is also known as Dīrghāyus (the long-lived). Some Dēvāngas and the Sālāpus claim him as their ancestor.
Marri . (Ficus bengalensis).—An exogamous sept of Māla and Mutrācha. Marri-gunta (pond near a fig tree) occurs as an exogamous sept of Yānādi.
Marumakkathāyam.—The Malayālam name for the law of inheritance through the female line.
Marvāri.—A territorial name, meaning a native of Marwar. At times of census, Marvāri has been returned as a caste of Jains, i.e., Marvāris, who are Jains by religion. The Marvāris are enterprising traders, who have settled in various parts of Southern India, and are, in the city of Madras, money-lenders.
Māsādika. —A synonym for Nādava Bant.
Māsila (māsi, dirt).—An exogamous sept of Dēvānga.
Masthān.—A Muhammadan title, meaning a saint, returned at times of census.
Māstiga —The Māstigas are described by the Rev. J. Cain33 as mendicants and bards, who beg from Gollas, Mālas, and Mādigas. I am informed that they are also known as Māla Māstigas, as they are supposed to be illegitimate descendants of the Mālas, and usually beg from them. When engaged in begging, they perform various contortionist and acrobatic feats.
Matam (monastery, or religious institution).—An exogamous sept of Dēvānga.
Mātanga .—Mātanga or Mātangi is a synonym of Mādiga. The Mādigas sometimes call themselves Mātangi Makkalu, or children of Mātangi, who is their favourite goddess. Mātangi is further the name of certain dedicated prostitutes, who are respected by the Mādiga community.
Matavan.—Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a name for the Pulikkapanikkan sub-division of Nāyar.
Matsya (fish).—A sept of Dōmb.
Māvilān.—Described, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as a small tribe of shikāris (hunters) and herbalists, who follow makkathāyam (inheritance from father to son), and speak corrupt Tulu. Tulumār (native of the Tulu country), and Chingattān (lion-hearted people) were returned as sub-divisions. “The name,” Mr. H. A. Stuart writes,34 “is said to be derived from māvilāvu, a medicinal herb. I think, however, the real derivation must be sought in Tulu or Canarese, as it seems to be a Canarese caste. These people are found only in the [52]Chirakkal tāluk of Malabar. Their present occupation is basket-making. Succession is from father to son, but among some it is also said to be in the female line.”
It is recorded, in the Gazetteer of Malabar, that the Māvilōns are “divided into Tulu Mavilōns and Eda Mavilōns, and sub-divided into thirty illams. They are employed as mahouts (drivers of elephants), and collect honey and other forest produce. Their headmen are called Chingam (simham, lion), and their huts Māpura.”
Mayalōtilu (rascal).—Mayalōtilu or Manjulōtilu is said by the Rev. J. Cain to be a name given by the hill Kōyis to the Kōyis who live near the Godāvari river.
Mayan.—Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, as a synonym of Kammālan. The Kamsali goldsmiths claim descent from Maya.
Mēda (raised mound).—An exogamous sept of Padma Sālē.
Medam (fight).—An exogamous sept of Dēvānga.
Mehtar.—A few Mehtars are returned, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as a Central Provinces caste of scavengers. “This name,” Yule and Burnell write,39 “is usual in Bengal, especially for the domestic servant of this class. The word is Pers., comp. mihtar (Lat. major), a great personage, a prince, and has been applied to the class in question in irony, or rather in consolation. But the name has so completely adhered in this application, that all sense of either irony or consolation has perished. Mehtar is a sweeper, and nought else. His wife is the Matranee. It is not unusual to hear two Mehtars hailing each other as Mahārāj!”
Meikāval (body-guard of the god).—A name for Pandārams.
Mēkala (goats).—Recorded as an exogamous sept of Bōya, Chenchu, Golla, Kamma, Kāpu, Togata, and Yānādi. Nerigi Mēkala (a kind of goat) is a further sept of Yānādi.
Mēkhri.—A sub-division of Navāyat Muhammadans.
Mēlāchchēri.—A class of Muhammadans in the Laccadive islands (see Māppilla).
Mēladava.—Dancing-girls in South Canara.
Mellikallu.—Under the name Mellikallu or Mallekalu, seventy-six individuals are returned, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as “hill cultivators in Pedakōta village of Vīravalli tāluk of the Vizagapatam Agency, who are reported to constitute a caste by themselves. They pollute by touch, have their own priests, and eat pork but not beef.”
Mēlnādu.—Mēlnādu, or Mēlnātar, meaning western country, is the name of a territorial sub-division of Kallan and Shānān.
Mēlu Sakkare.—A name, meaning western Sakkare, by which Upparas in Mysore style themselves. They claim descent from a mythical individual, named Sagara, who dug the Bay of Bengal. Some Upparas explain that they work in salt, which is more essential than sugar, and that Mēl Sakkara means superior sugar.
Mēman.—More than three hundred members of this Muhammadan class of Bombay traders were returned at the Madras Census, 1901. It is recorded, in the Bombay Gazetteer, that many Cutch, Mēmans are prospering as traders in Kurrachee, Bombay, the Malabar coast, Hyderabad, Madras, Calcutta, and Zanzibar.
Menasu (pepper or chillies).—An exogamous sept of Kuruba, and gōtra of Kurni.
Mēnōkki (overseer).—Mēnōkki and Mēnōki have been returned, in the Travancore and Cochin Census Reports, as a sub-division of Nāyars, who are employed as accountants in temples. The name is derived from mēl, above, nōkki, from nōkkunnu to look after.
Mēra.—A sub-division of Holeya.
Meria.—At the Madras Census, 1901, twenty-five individuals returned themselves as Meria or Merakāya. They were descendants of persons who were reserved for human (Meriah) sacrifice, but rescued by Government officials in the middle of the last century.
Mēsta.—A name taken by some Chaptēgāras (carpenters) in South Canara.
Mēstri.—A title of Semmāns and other Tamil classes. The Pānān tailors are said to be also called Mēstris. Concerning the word mēstri, or maistry, Yule and Burnell write as follows.43 “This word, a corruption of the Portuguese Mestre, has spread into the vernaculars all over India, and is in constant Anglo-Indian use. Properly a foreman, a master-worker. In W. and S. India maistry, as used in the household, generally means the cook or the tailor.”
Mettu Kamsali.—A synonym of Ojali blacksmith, Mettu means shoes or sandals.
Mhāllo.—A name for Konkani barbers.
Midathala (locust).—An exogamous sept of Bōya and Mādiga.
Middala or Meddala (storeyed house).—An exogamous sept of Padma Sālē.
Midichi (locust).—A gōtra of Kurni.
Milaku (pepper: Piper nigrum).—A tree or kothu of Kondaiyamkotti Maravans.
Milikhān.—A class of Muhammadan pilots and sailors in the Laccadive Islands (see Māppilla).
Mīnalavāru (fish people).—An exogamous sept of Bēdar or Bōya. Mīn (fish) Palli occurs as a name for Pallis who have settled in the Telugu country, and adopted fishing as their profession.
Minchu (metal toe-ring).—An exogamous sept of Kuruba.
Mini (leather rope).—A gōtra of Kurni. [65]
Mīnpidi (fish-catching).—A sub-division of Pānan.
Mirapakāya (Capsicum frutescens).—An exogamous sept of Bōya.
Mirigani.—A sub-division of Dōmb.
Miriyāla (pepper).—An exogamous sept of Balija.
Mir Shikari.—A synonym of Kurivikkāran.
Mīsāla (whiskers).—An exogamous sept of Bōya.
Mīse (moustache).—An exogamous sept of Kuruba.
Mochi.—See Mucchi.
Modikāran.—The name sometimes applied to Nōkkan mendicants, who dabble in jugglery. Modi is a trial of magical powers between two persons, in which the hiding of money is the essential thing.
Mōduga (Butea frondosa).—A gōtra of Mēdara.
Mogili (Pandanus fascicularis).—An exogamous sept of Kāpu and Yerukala.
Mogotho.—A sub-division of Gaudo, the members of which are considered inferior because they eat fowls.
Mohiro (peacock).—An exogamous sept or gōtra of Bhondāri and Gaudo,
Mōksham (heaven).—An exogamous sept of Dēvānga.
Moktessor or Mukhtesar.—See Stānika.
Mola (hare).—An exogamous sept of Gangadikāra Holeya and Gangadikāra Vakkaliga. [71]
Molaya Dēvan.—A title of Kallan and Nōkkan.
Mōliko.—A title of Doluva and Kondra.
Monathinni.—The name, meaning those who eat the vermin of the earth, of a sub-division of Valaiyan.
Mondolo.—Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as an Oriya title given by Zamindars to the headmen of villages. It is also a title of various Oriya castes.
Mora Būvva.—A sub-division of Mādigas, who offer food (būvva) to the god in a winnowing basket (mora) at marriage.
Motāti .—A sub-division of Kāpu.
Mucherikāla .—Recorded by Mr. F. S. Mullaly57 as a synonym of a thief class in the Telugu country.
Mudali .—The title Mudali is used chiefly by the offspring of Dēva-dāsis (dancing-girls), Kaikōlans, and Vellālas. The Vellālas generally take the title Mudali in the northern, and Pillai in the southern districts. By some Vellālas, Mudali is considered discourteous, as it is also the title of weavers.58 Mudali further occurs as a title of some Jains, Gadabas, Ōcchans, Pallis or Vanniyans, and Panisavans. Some Pattanavans style themselves Varūnakula Mudali.
Mudi (knot).—An exogamous sept of Māla.
Mudiya .—The name, derived from mudi, a preparation of fried rice, of a sub-division of Chuditiya.
Mūgi (dumb).—An exogamous sept of Golla.
Mūka .—A sub-division of Konda Rāzu.
Mukkara (nose or ear ornament).—An exogamous sept of Bōya.
Mulaka (Solanum xanthocarpum).—A sept of Balija. The fruit of this plant is tied to the big toe of Brāhman corpses.
Mūli .—Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as a class of blacksmiths in Ganjam, and stone-cutters in Vizagapatam. It is said to be a sub-division of Lohāra. Mūli also occurs as an occupational sub-division of Savara.
Mūli Kurava .—A name for Kuravas in Travancore.
Mullangi (radish).—An exogamous sept of Kōmati.
Mullu (thorn).—A gōtra of Kurni. Mullu also occurs as a sub-division of Kurumba.
Multāni .—A territorial name, meaning a native of Multān in the Punjab. They are described, in the Mysore Census Report, 1901, as immigrant traders, found in the large towns, whose business consists chiefly of banking and money-lending.
Mundāla ,—A sub-division of Holeya.
Mundapōtho —Mundapōtho (mundo, head; potho, bury) is the name of a class of mendicants who wander about Ganjām, and frequent the streets of Jagannāth (Pūri). They try to arouse the sympathy of pilgrims by burying their head in the sand or dust, and exposing the rest of the body. They generally speak Telugu.
Mungaru (woman’s skirt).—An exogamous sept of Kāpu.
Muni .—See Rāvulo.
Mūnillakkar (people of the three illams).—A section of Mukkuvans, which is divided into three illams.
Munnūti Gumpu .—Recorded, in the Kurnool Manual, as “a mixed caste, comprising the illegitimate descendants of Balijas, and the male children of dancing-girls.” It is not a caste name, but an insulting name for those of mixed origin.
Munnūttān (men of the three hundred).—Recorded, at times of census, as a synonym of Vēlan, and sub-caste of Pānan, among the latter of whom Anjūttān (men of five hundred) also occurs. In the Gazetteer of Malabar, Munnūttān appears as a class of Mannāns, who are closely akin to the Vēlans. In Travancore, Munnutilkar is a name for Kumbakōnam Vellālas, who have settled there.
Murikinādu .—Murikinādu or Murikināti is a territorial name, which occurs as a division of Telugu Brāhmans, and of various Telugu classes, e.g., Kamsala, Māla, Mangala, Rāzu, and Tsākala.
Muriya .—A small class in Ganjam, who are engaged in making a preparation of fried rice (muri) and in cultivation.
Mūru Balayanōru (three-bangle people).—A sub-division of Kāppiliyan.
Musaliar .—An occupational term, denoting a Muhammadan priest, returned at times of census in the Tamil country.
Musāri .—A division of Malayālam Kammālans, whose occupation is that of brass and copper smiths. The equivalent Musarlu occurs among the Telugu Kamsalas.
Mūshika (rat).—A gōtra of Nagarālu. The rat is the vehicle of the Elephant God, Vignēsvara or Ganēsa.
Mushtiga .—An exogamous sept of the Gollas, who may not use the mushtiga tree (Strychnos Nux-vomica). It also occurs as a synonym of Jetti.
Mushti Golla .—A class of mendicants, usually of mixed extraction. Mushti means alms.
Mūsu Kamma.—The name of a special ear ornament worn by the Mūsu Kamma sub-division of Balijas. In the Salem District Manual, Musuku is recorded as a sub-division of this caste.
Mūsu Kamma woman.
Mutalpattukar .—A synonym of Tandan in Travancore, indicating those who received an allowance for the assistance they were called on to render to carpenters.
Mūttāl (substitute).—A sub-division of Mārān.
Muttasāri .—Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a name by which Kammālans are addressed.
Muttiriyan. —See Mutrācha.
Mutyāla (pearl).—An exogamous sept, and name of a sub-division of Balijas who deal in pearls. The Ambalakārans say that they were born of the sweat (muttu, a pearl or bead of perspiration) of Paramasiva.
Muvvāri .—Recorded71 as “a North Malabar caste of domestic servants under the Embrāntiri Brāhmans. Their customs resemble those of the Nāyars, but the Elayads and the Mārayāns will not serve them.”
Myāsa —Myāsa, meaning grass-land or forest, is one of the two main divisions, Ūrū (village) and Myāsa, of the Bēdars and Bōyas. Among the Myāsa Bēdars, the rite of circumcision is practiced, and is said to be the survival of a custom which originated when they were included in the army of Haidar Āli
Refrences
1 Manual of the Nellore district.
2 Manual of the Kurnool district, 1886.
3 Madras Census Report, 1891.
4 Madras Mail, 1902.
5 While Wearing Sandals, or Tales of a Telugu Pariah Tribe.
6 Madras Christ. Coll. Mag., XXIII (New Series V), 1906.
7 Manual of the North Arcot district.
8 A. Chatterton, Monograph of tanning and working in Leather, Madras, 1904.
9 Manual of the Kurnool district.
10 Manual of the Bellary district.
11 Madras Museum Bull. V. 3, 1907.
12 Madras Census Report, 1891.
13 Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency, 1882.
15 Manual of the Bellary district.
16 Manual of the Bellary district.
17 Manual of the Bellary district.
18 Gazetteer of the Anantapur district.
19 Mysore Census Report, 1901.
20 Manual of the North Arcot district.
21 Notes from a Diary, 1881–1886.
22 Manual of the Kurnool district.
23 Madras Census Report, 1891.
24 Madras Diocesan Record, 1905.
25 Gazetteer of the Godāvari district.
26 Madras Museum Bull. V. 3, 1907.
27 East and West, 6th May 1907.
28 Gazetteer of the Anantapur district.
29 Madras and Tinnevelly Dioces. Mag., June, 1908.
30 Gōchi, a clout, a truss or flap; a waist-cloth. C. P. Brown, Telugu Dictionary.
31 Gazetteer of the Godāvari district.
32 Ind. Ant., III, 1874; VI, 1877.
33 Native Life in Travancore, 1883.
34 Journey from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara, and Malabar, 1807.
35 Calcutta Review, 1902.
36 Manual of the South Canara district.
37 Manual of the North Arcot district.
38 Gazetteer of the South Arcot district.
39 Darakhāst: application for land for purposes of cultivation; or bid at an auction.
40 Gazetteer of the South Arcot district.
41 Madras Mail, 1904.
42 Madras Mail, 1908.
43 Gazetteer of the South Arcot district.
45 Manual of the North Arcot district.
46 Manual of the South Arcot district.
47 Madras Census Report, 1891.
48 Madras Diocesan Magazine, 1906.
49 Manual of the North Arcot district.
50 Madras Census Report, 1891.
51 Travancore Census Report, 1901.
52 Lecture delivered at Trivandrum.
53 See A. T. Mackenzie. History of the Periyār Project. Madras, 1899.
54 Rev. J. Cain. Ind. Ant., VIII, 1879.
55 Malabar Law and Custom. 3rd ed., 1905.
56 Elements of South Indian Palæography.
57 Madras Review, 1896.
58 Man, 1903.
59 Manual of Malabar.
60 Manual of the Madura district.
61 Hobson-Jobson.
62 Ind. Ant., XXXI, 1902.
63 Cf. Javan, Genesis X, 2; Isaiah, LXVI, 19; Ezekiel, XXVII, 13, 19.
64 Malabar Quart. Review, 1903.
65 Vide Correspondence on Moplah Outrages, 1849–53.
66 Madras Census Report, 1891.
67 Madras Mail, 1908.
68 Malabar Quart. Review, 1906.
69 When not officially attached to a mosque, the Mulla is said to be called Nāttu (country) Mulla.
70 Ind. Ant., XXX, 1901.
71 P. V. Ramunni, loc. cit.
72 The taboot is “a kind of shrine, or model of a Mahomedan mausoleum, of flimsy material, intended to represent the tomb of Husain at Kerbela, which is carried in procession during the Mohurram.” Yule and Burnell, Hobson-Jobson.
73 Gazetteer of the Malabar district.
74 Fanatical (fanum, a temple). Possessed by a deity or devil, frantic, mad, furious. Murray. New English Dictionary.
75 Major Holland-Pryor, 1904.
76 See also Government Orders, Judicial Department, Nos. 1267, 24th May, 1894; 2186, 8th September, 1894; 1567, 30th September, 1896; and 819, 25th May, 1898.
77 Forbes’ Oriental Memoirs.
78 Manual of Malabar, 1887, p. 102.
79 Ind. Ant., XXX, 1901.
80 General Burton. An Indian Olio.
81 Calcutta Review, 1897.
82 Calcutta Review, 1897.
83 Ibid.
84 Manual of Malabar.
85 Monograph on Tanning and Working in Leather, 1904.
86 Gazetteer of Malabar.
87 General Burton. Op. cit.
88 Loc. cit.
89 Op. cit.
90 Manual of Malabar.
91 Loc. cit.
92 Gazetteer of the Malabar district.
93 Madras Census Report, 1891.
94 Malabar Quarterly Review, Vol. 3, 1906.
95 Gazetteer of the Malabar district.
96 The recital of the first chapter of the Koran.
