TODA
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was not included in the programme of sports got up for our benefit. Dr. Rivers writes that "the Todas, and especially the children, often play with mimic representations of objects from practical life. Near the villages I have seen small artificial buffalo-pens and fireplaces made by the children in sport." I have, on several occasions, come across young children playing with long and short pieces of twigs representing buffaloes and their calves, and going solemnly through the various incidents in the daily life of these animals. Todas, both old and young, may constantly be seen twisting flexible twigs into representations of buffaloes' heads and horns.
Of Toda songs, the following have been collected: —
- Sunshine is increasing. Mist is fast gathering. Rain may come. Thunder roars. Clouds are
gathering.
- Rain is pouring. Wind and rain have combined.
- Oh, powerful god, may everything prosper!
- May charity increase!
- May the buffaloes become pregnant!
- See that the buffaloes have calves.
- See that the barren women have children.
- Go and tell this to the god of the land.
- Keygamor, Eygamor (names of buffaloes).
- Evening is approaching. The buffaloes are coming.
- The calves also have returned.
- The buffaloes are saluted.
- The dairy-man beats the calves with his stick.
- Milk has been offered to the bell.
- It is growing dark.
- This is a buffalo with beautiful horns.
- A buffalo stupidly given away by the Badaga.
- A buffalo brought to the Kāndal mand.
