Omens and Superstitions of Southern India

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Edgar Thurston. Omens and Superstitions of Southern India

Omens and Superstitions of Southern India

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

Cover image: Egyptian vultures fed by temple priests at Thirukalukundram, India. Photograph by Edgar Thurston. 1906.

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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.”

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