"They have some sacred groves, where they will not fire a gun, or speak above a breath; they have certain signs also to be observed when fixing on land for cultivation or the site of a house, but no other elaborate religious rites. In chosing a piece of ground for cultivation, before cutting the jungle they take five strips of bark of equal length, and knot all the ends together, holding them in the left hand by the middle. If all, when tied, form a perfect circle, the omen is lucky, and the position in which the cord falls on the ground is carefully noted by the bystanders."
Mala Nāyakkan. — A name returned by Tamil Malaiyālis at times of census.
Mala Vēdan. — See Vēdan.
Malai-kanda. — A sub-division of Vellāla.
Malaimān. — See Udaiyān.
Malaiyadi (foot of the hills). — A sub-division of Konga Vellāla.
Malakkar. —It is recorded, in the Gazetteer of Malabar, that "the Malakkars, also called Malamūttanmar and Malapanikkar, are a comparatively superior tribe of jungle cultivators and hunters found in the Calicut and Ernād hills. They follow the marumakkatāyam system (of inheritance in the female line), and observe pollution for twelve days. They call their huts illams, and, if they leave them to go down to the plains, must bathe before returning. They consider themselves polluted by all castes below Nāyars. The name Mūttan is properly a title, meaning elder, confirmed on their headman by their janmis (landlords). Their chief god is Maladēvan. They are good forest watchers and elephant catchers."
Malāra (a bundle of glass bangles, as carried about for sale). — An exogamous sept of Gauda.
