This eBook edition of «OMENS AND SUPERSTITIONS OF SOUTHERN INDIA» has been formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. This book deals mainly with some aspects of what may be termed the psychical life of the inhabitants of the Madras Presidency, and the Native States of Travancore and Cochin. Edgar Thurston CIE (1855-1935) was a superintendent at the Madras Government Museum who contributed to studies in the zoology, ethnology and botany of India and published works related to his work at the museum. Thurston was educated in medicine and lectured in anatomy at the Madras Medical College while also holding his position at the museum. His early works were on numismatics and geology and this was followed later by his researches in anthropology and ethnography.
Оглавление
Edgar Thurston. OMENS AND SUPERSTITIONS OF SOUTHERN INDIA
OMENS AND SUPERSTITIONS OF SOUTHERN INDIA
Reading suggestions
Table of Contents
Preface
Omens and Superstitions of Southern India. I. Omens
II. Animal Superstitions
1. Mammals
2. Birds
3. Reptiles and Batrachians
4. Fishes
5. Invertebrates
III. The Evil Eye
IV. Snake Worship
V. Vows, Votive and other Offerings
VI. Charms
VII. Human Sacrifice
VIII. Magic and Human Life
IX. Magic and Magicians
X. Divination and Fortune-Telling
XI. Some Agricultural Ceremonies
XII. Rain-Making Ceremonies
Index
Отрывок из книги
Edgar Thurston
I
.....
In a note on the Kulwādis or Chalavādis of the Hassan district in Mysore, Captain J. S. F. Mackenzie writes23 as follows:—
“Every village has its Holigiri—as the quarters inhabited by the Holiars (formerly agrestic serfs) is called—outside the village boundary hedge. This, I thought, was because they are considered an impure race, whose touch carries defilement with it. Such is the reason generally given by the Brāhman, who refuses to receive anything directly from the hands of a Holiar, and yet the Brāhmans consider great luck will wait upon them if they can manage to pass through the Holigiri without being molested. To this the Holiars have a strong objection, and, should a Brāhman attempt to enter their quarters, they turn out in a body and slipper him, in former times it is said to death. Members of the other castes may come as far as the door, but they must not enter the house, for that would bring the Holiar bad luck. If, by chance, a person happens to get in, the owner takes care to tear the intruder’s cloth, tie up some salt in one corner of it, and turn him out. This is supposed to neutralise all the good luck which might have accrued to the trespasser, and avert any evil which might have befallen the owner of the house.”
