Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India.djvu/247

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141
BALIJA
Tupākala, musket. Miriyāla, pepper.
Samudram, ocean. Mutyāla, pearls.
Pappu, split pulse. Nārikēlla, cocoanut.
Gantla, bell. Nemili, peacock.
Puli, tiger. Pagadāla, coral.
Balli, lizard. Pattindla, silk house.
Āvula, cow. Ratnāla, precious stones.
Gandham, sandal paste Ungarāla, rings.
or powder. Yenumala, buffalo.
Jilakara, cummin seeds.

There is a saying that a Balija who has no gōtra must take the name of the Pasuleti, or Pasupuleti gōtra. In like manner, a Brāhman orphan, whose gōtra cannot be traced, is made to adopt the Vathsa gōtra.

Among the Mūsu Kammas, the consent of both the maternal uncle and elder sister's husband must be obtained before a girl is given in marriage. At the betrothal ceremony, the future bridegroom's relations proceed to the house of the girl, carrying the following articles on an odd number of trays beneath a cloth canopy (ulladam): mustard, fenugreek (Trigonella Fœnumgrœcum), cummin seeds, curds, jaggery, dhāl (Cajanus indicus), balls of condiments, tamarinds, pepper, twenty- one cakes, eleven cocoanuts, salt, plantains, flowers, a new cloth, black beads, a palm-leaf roll for the ear lobe, turmeric, a comb, and kunkumam (colour powder). A few rupees, called kongu mudi, to be given to the future mother-in-law, are also placed on the tray. The contracting parties exchange betel and a cocoanut, of which the latter is taken away by a member of the bridegroom's party, tied up in his body-cloth. The girl is seated on a plank, goes through the ceremony (nalagu) of being anointed with oil and paste, and is presented with a new cloth. Wearing this, she sits on the plank, and betel, flowers, jewels, etc., are placed in