Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 2.djvu/182

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DEVANGA
160

omens are favourable, the joti is lighted, sheep and goats are killed, and pongal (rice) is offered to the joti. The day closes with worship of the pot. On the last day the rice mass is distributed. All Dēvānga guests from other villages have to be received and treated with respect according to the local rules, which are in force. For this purpose, the community divide their settlements into Sthalams, Pāyakattulu, Galugrāmatulu, Pētalu, and Kurugrāmālu, which have a definite order of precedence.

Among the Dēvāngas the following endogamous sections occur: — (1) Telugu; (2) Canarese; (3) Hathinentu Manayavaru (eighteen house people); (4) Sivachara; (5) Ariya; (6) Kodekal Hatakararu (weavers).

They are practically divided into two linguistic sections, Canarese and Telugu, of which the former have adopted the Brāhmanical ceremonials to a greater extent than the latter, who are more conservative. Those who wear the sacred thread seem to preponderate over the non-thread weavers in the Canarese section. To the thread is sometimes attached metal charm- cylinder to ward off evil spirits.

The following are examples of exogamous septs in the Telugu section: —

Ākāasam, sky Konda, mountain
Anumala, seeds of Kaththi, knife
Dolichos lablab Bandāri (treasurer)
Boggula, charcoal Būsam, grain
Bandla, rock or cart Dhondapu
Chintakai, tamarind fruit (Cephalandra indica)
Challa, buttermilk Elugoti, assembly
Chapparam, pandal or booth Gattu, bank or mound
Dhoddi, cattle-pen Paidam, money
or court-yard Gonapala, old plough
Dhuggāni, money Gosu, pride
Yerra, red Jigala, pith