Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 4.djvu/143

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
133
KURUBA
Arashina, turmeric. Agasa, Kuruba, Oddē.
Bandi, cart. Kāpu, Kavarai, Kuruba, Kuravan, Māla, Oddē. Yānādi.
Hālu, milk. Holeya, Kuruba, Vakkaliga.
Hon, gold. Kuruba, Oddē.
Jīrige, cummin. Kuruba.
Kudure, horse. Vakkaliga.
Malligē, Malli, or Mallēla, jasmine. Holeya,
Kamma, Kuruba, Kuravan, Mādiga, Māla, Oddē,
Tsākala.
Menasu, pepper or chillies. Kuruba.
Sampigi or sampangi,Michelia Chainpaca. Oddē.

Kuruba.— Though plucky in hunting bears and leopards, the Kurubas at Hospet were exceedingly fearful of myself and my methods, and were only partially ingratiated by an offer of a money prize at one of the wrestling combats, in which they delight, and of which I had a private exhibition. The wrestlers, some of whom were splendid specimens of muscularity, had, I noticed, the moustache clipped short, and hair clean shaved at the back of the head, so that there was none for the adversary to grip. One man, at the entreaties of an angry spouse, was made to offer up the silver coin, presented by me in return for the loan of his body for measurement, as bad money at the shrine of Udachallama, together with two annas of his own as a peace-offering to the goddess. The wives of two men (brothers), who came to me for Measurement, were left sobbing in the village. One, at the last moment, refused to undergo the operation, on the principle that one should be taken, and the other left. A man was heard, at question time, to mutter " Why, when we are hardworking and poor, do we keep our hair, while this rich and lazy Sahib has gone bald?" Another (I believe, the tame village