South Indian castes/ tribes (numerically small): O
This article is an excerpt from Government Press, Madras |
Ōda vāndlu (boatmen).—A synonym of Mīla, a fishing caste in Ganjam and Vizagapatam. Some prosperous Mīlas have adopted Ōda Balija as their caste name. (See Vāda.)
Ōdan .—An occupational name of a class of Nāyars, who are tile-makers.
Oddilu .—The Oddilu are described12 by the Rev. J. Cain as principally raftsmen on the Godāvari river, who have raised themselves in life, and call themselves Sishti Karanamalu. He states further that they are Kois (or Koyis) who are regarded as more honourable than any of the others, and have charge of the principal vēlpu (tribal gods).
Ōdhuvar (reader or reciter).—A name for Pandārams, who recite hymns in temples.
Odisi .—A sub-division of Bhondāri.
Odiya Tōti .—A Tamil synonym for Oriya Haddis employed as scavengers in municipalities in the Tamil country.
Ōjali —The Ōjali, Vōjali, or Ōzolu are summed up, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as being “Telugu blacksmiths in the Vizagapatam Agency. They eat beef, but are somewhat superior to the Paidis and Mālas in social position. They are also called Mettu Kamsali.” It is stated in the Vizagapatam Manual that, during the reign of Chōla Chakravati, the Kamsalas (artisans) claimed to be equal to Brāhmans. This offended the sovereign, and he ordered their destruction. Some only escaped death by taking shelter with people of the ‘Ōzu’ caste. As an acknowledgment of their gratitude many of the Kamsalas have ōzu affixed to their house-name, e.g., Kattōzu, Lakkōzu.
Ōlai —A sub-division of Palli, the members of which wear an ear ornament called ōlai.
Olāro —A sub-division of Gadaba.
Olēkara .—See Vilyakāra.
Olikala (pyre and ashes).—An exogamous sept of Dēvānga.
Ondipuli .—Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as Telugu-speaking cultivators and cattle-breeders in the Salem district. The name is sometimes applied to the beggars attached to the Palli caste.
Onnām Parisha (first party).—A section of Elayad.
Onne (Pterocarpus Marsupium).—An exogamous sept of Toreyas, who are not allowed to mark their foreheads with the juice which exudes from the trunk of this tree.
Onteddu .—Onteddu or Onti-eddu is the name of a sub-division of Gānigas or Gāndlas, who only use one bullock for their oil-mills.
Opoto .—Opoto or Apoto is the name of the palanquin-bearing section of Gaudos.
Oppamtara .—A title conferred by the Rāja of Cochin on some Nāyars.
Oppanakkāran (trader).—Telugu traders and agriculturists. Recorded as a sub-division of Balija.
Oppomarango (Achyranthes aspera).—An exogamous sept of Bhondāri, the members of which may not use the root as a tooth-brush.
Ore .—An honorific title of Nāyars.
Origabhakthudu (saluting devotee).—A class of mendicants, who are said to beg only from Perikes.
Oriya .—Oriya, or Uriya, is a general term for those who speak the Oriya language. At times of census, it has been recorded as a sub-division of various castes, e.g., Sōndi and Dhōbi.
Oruganti .—A sub-division of Kāpu and Mutrācha.
Orunūl (one string).—A sub-division of Mārāns, whose widows do not remarry.
Oshtama .—A corrupt form of the word Vaishnava, applied to Sātānis, who are called by illiterate folk Oishnamāru or Oshtamāru.
Osta .—Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as the name of a caste of barbers for Muhammadans. Otattu (tile-makers).—An occupational name for Nāyars, who tile or thatch temples and Brāhman houses.
Ottaisekkan .—The name, indicating those who work their oil-mill with a single bullock, of a sub-division of Vāniyan.
Ottikunda (empty pot).—An exogamous sept of Kamma.
References
1 E. Hultzsch. South Indian Inscriptions, I. 82, 108, 1890.
2 Comprehensive Tamil and English Dictionary.
3 Travancore Census Report, 1901.
4 Manual of the North Arcot district.
5 Madras Dioc. Magazine, April, 1908.
6 Ind. Ant., VIII, 1879.
7 Ind. Ant., V, 1876.
8 Notes on Criminal Classes of the Madras Presidency.
9 Journey through Mysore, Canara, and Malabar.
