principal food is the rāgi, which they grow, supplemented by wild forest produce. They are partial to the flesh of deer, antelope, pigs, sheep and goats. A few of them have, in recent years, come to own lands. Like the Jēnu Kurumbas, they are perfect trackers of wild animals. Three kinds of marriage prevail among them. The first is affected by the more well-to-do, who perform the ceremony with much éclat under a shed with twelve pillars (bamboo posts), accompanied by music and festivities, which continue for three days. The second is more common, and seems to be a modified form of concubinage. The poorer members resort to the third kind, which consists in the couple eloping to a distant jungle, and returning home only after the bride has become a mother. They speak a patois, allied to old Canarese or Halē Kannada."*[1]
Shōla Naiker.— A synonym of Jēn Kurumbas in the Wynād.
Sibbi Dhompti (brass vessel offering). — A sub-division of Mādigas, who, at marriages, offer food to the god in brass vessels.
Siddaru.— A synonym of Jōgi mendicants.
Sika (kudumi or hair-knot). — An exogamous sept of Dēvānga.
Sīkili (broom). — An exogamous sept of Mādiga.
Sikligar.——In the Madras Census Report, 1901, eleven individuals are returned as belonging to an Upper India caste of knife-grinders (Sikligar). In the Madura Manual, Sikilkārars are described as knife-grinders, who wander about in quest of work from village to village.
Sila (stone). — An exogamous sept of Omanaito.
Sīlam (good conduct). — An exogamous sept of Māla.
- ↑ * Mysore Census Report, 1891,
