Castes and Tribes of Southern India/Malava

by Edgar Thurston

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 dhare form of marriage. They speak Canarese."*^[1]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.

1. * Manual of the South Canara district.