Castes and Tribes of Southern India/Māstiga

by Edgar Thurston

Māstiga.— The Māstigas are described by the Rev. J. Cain*^[1] as mendicants and bards, who beg from Gollas, Mālas, and Mādigas. I am informed that they are also known as Mǎla 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.

1. • Ind. Ant., VIII, 1879.