Kōvila (Indian cuckoo, Eudynamis honorata. — A gōtra of Mēdara.
Kōvilar (temple people). — The name adopted by a section of Pallis or Vanniyans, who wear the sacred thread, and have temples of their own, in which they worship. Kōil Adiyān (temple servant) has been returned by some Balijas at times of census. Kōvil-ammamar or Kōilpat, denoting ladies of, or those who live in palaces, is a title of some Sāmanta ladies. Kōvi-lagam is the usual term for the house of a Rāja or Tirumalpād, and Kōilpantāla is recorded, from Travancore, as a synonym for Kōil Tamburān. The Nāttukōttai Chettis have exogamous septs, or kōils, named after temples, e.g., Māthur kōil.
Kōya.— The land and boat-owning class of Muhammadans in the Laccadive islands. The name is said to be a corrupt form of Khōja, meaning a man of distinction, Māppillas use Kōya as a suffix to their names, e.g. Hassan Kōya, Mahomed Kōya (see Māppilla).
Kōyappan.— Kōyappan or Kōyavappan are corrupt forms of Kusavan (Malabar potters).
Koyi.— The Koyis, Kois, or Koyas, are a tribe inhabiting the hills in the north of the Godāvari district, and are also found in the Malkangiri tāluk of the Jeypore Zamindari. They are said to belong to the great Gond family, and, when a man of another caste wishes to be abusive to a Koyi, he calls him a Gōndia. The Koyi language is said by Grierson to be a dialect of Gondi. Writing concerning the Koyis of the Godāvari district, the Rev. J. Cain states*[1] that " in these parts the Kois use a great many Telugu words, and cannot always
- ↑ • The present note is mainly based on the articles by the Rev. J. Cain in the Indian Antiquary V, 1876, and VIII, 1879; and the Madras Christian College Magazine, V, 1887-8, and VI, 1888-9.
