Omens and Superstitions of Southern India

Ashes, ceremonial use, 21, 45, 115, 138, 186, 220, 229, 293, 296;
effigies, 44, 307;
from burial ground, 242;
of meriah victim, 204; omens, 16, 18;
sacred, 103, 182, 212, 270–1, 294, 306

Astrologer, 45, 127; Kaniyan, 273–7

Avaram (Cassia auriculata), clothing tied to, 156

Ayilyam festival, 125

Ayudha puja (worship of tools and implements), 174–5

Babul (Acacia arabica), 153, 155

Badaga, 14, 35, 49, 85, 116, 141, 232–4, 300

Bael or bilva (Ægle Marmelos), 33, 184, 277

Bairagi, 235, 258–9

Bakuda, 81 Balanites Roxburghii, in lying-in chamber, 53

Balija, 118, 159

Bamboo, 113, 114, 148, 192, 212, 229, 260, 265, 293

Bangle insect, 107–8

—— offered to cholera god, 176;
to village goddess, 155;
worn as vow, 161

Banyan (Ficus bengalensis), 177, 219, 288

Barike, 306, 307

Basavi, 47, 142–3

Bathing, ceremonial, 29, 31, 43, 51, 55, 67, 72, 81, 104, 117, 130, 135, 150, 185, 229, 252, 285, 286, 294, 301, 303

Bats, 83 Bauhinia variegata, 118, 229

Bauri or Bawariya, 41

Bead necklets offered to cholera god, 176

Beads worn as vow, 138

Bear, 78, 189

Bedar, 68, 136, 142, 171, 193

Bejjo sorcerer, 32

Beju sorceress, 263

Bells tied on trees, 154

Bepari, 74

Bestha, 98, 102

Betel, 20–1, 31, 32, 39, 40, 47, 49, 68, 117, 118, 147, 177, 188, 244, 249, 270, 277, 283, 298, 301

—— insect (vettila poochi), 106–7

Bhadrakali, 114, 185

Bhagavati, 128, 250, 278, 292, 296

Bhairava, the dog-god, 196

Bhuthas, 162, 242

Bilimagga, 118

Billaikavus (cat-eaters), 77

Bird excrement, fouling by, 34, 67, 87

—— superstitions, 86–9

Birds, omens, 15, 16, 21, 23, 34, 36, 37, 50, 56, 65–70, 280

Birth, symbolical, from cow, 79–80

Bison, 81–2

Black buffalo, 45;
cloth, 31, 112;
face painted, 116;
fowl, 284;
goat, 45, 267, 284;
pig, 284;
rope, 111;
sheep, 52, 191;
thread, 220;
wool, 191

Blood, human, a cure for fever, 239;
offered to idol, 221;
sacrificed victim, 201, 202, 207, 221;
sprinkling with, 145;
sucked by witch, 261, 262

—— of bullock, 80;
devil-dancer, 212;
fish, 102;
monkey, 73

—— of sacrificed animals, 22, 33, 37, 38, 65, 68, 69, 119, 175, 183, 187, 189, 212, 245, 246, 252, 255, 263, 282, 284, 295, 302

Blood-sucker (lizard), 99–100

Boar, wild, 189

Boddu-rayi (navel-stone), 60, 211

Bones burnt in lying-in chamber, 53;
from burial-ground in sorcery, 242;
omens, 56, 57;
used by toddy-drawers, 76, 82

Bottling evil spirits, 250

Boundary ceremony, 60, 175;
dispute, 38;
flesh of victim interred, 201;
goddess, 37–8, 184;
oath, 36;
sacrifice, 211, 263

—— stone, birth ceremony, 176–7;
reverence, 184;
sacrifice, 37

Bow and arrow in magic, 33, 100, 192, 226, 244, 263

—— in rain-making ceremony, 308

Boya, 22, 50, 135

Brahman, 15, 17, 22, 26, 27, 28, 31, 43, 45, 50, 51, 52, 58, 59, 66, 67, 68, 79–80, 90, 102, 119, 122, 123, 124, 125, 133, 135, 139, 140, 148, 157, 170, 174, 239, 288, 297

——, Konkani, 172

——, Nambutiri, 85, 192, 193, 239, 292

——, Shivalli, 136

Brahmani bull, 63; mock marriage, 165–6

—— kite, 65, 86

—— lizard (aranai), 99

Branding of body, 146

Brinjal (Solarium melongena), 295

Broom, 16, 40, 115, 244, 296

Budubudukala, 280–2

Buffalo, 45, 76, 81, 202, 263;
sacrifice, 22, 38, 137, 148, 201, 205, 206–7, 217

—— races, 114, 298

Bug, 105

Bull, omen, 21

Burial jars, prehistoric, supposed to contain sacrificed virgins, 216

——, mock, 211–3

—— of charm, 181, 186, 187, 229, 246, 252;
of fowl with corpse, 69;
of placenta, 55;
of sorcery figure, 247, 249 Butea frondosa, leaf-cup, 33

Butter, 79, 116, 185, 213. See Ghi

Cakes at village festival, 282;
in pregnancy ceremony, 54;
waved against evil eye, 116–7

Camphor, 50, 115, 117, 177, 184, 229, 244, 245, 249, 260, 278, 284, 285, 287, 293 Canthium parviflorum, thorn, 252 Cassia Fistula, 18, 289

Castor-oil, 97, 105, 116, 185, 258

Cat, 17, 57, 77, 260, 261

Cattle, 44, 60, 62–5, 79, 139–40, 210, 211, 291, 296;
sickness, 77, 154, 165, 183, 184, 209

Caves as shrines, 178

ChamÆleon, 99, 240

Charcoal, 22, 119, 176, 185, 244, 286, 307

Charm cylinder, 113, 185, 187, 188, 189, 192–5, 219

Charms used by servants of Europeans, 197

Chauri (yak-tail fan), 297

Chedipe sorceress, 261–2

Chenchu, 194

Cheruman, 121, 290, 291, 295, 296

Childbirth, 53, 54, 77, 79, 176–7, 186, 189, 191, 193, 196

Chillies, 22, 115, 116, 119, 243, 253

Cholam (Sorghum), 60, 302, 306

Cholera, 36, 83, 98, 119, 148, 166, 175, 176, 183, 184, 236, 259, 263, 279

Chunam, 21, 22, 31, 44, 106, 113, 114, 117, 170, 212, 244, 246, 295

Clay bangles offered to deity, 176;
effigies, 148, 247, 308–9;
figures, offerings, 14, 162, 166–8

Cobra, 20, 25, 86, 91, 93, 95, 98, 99, 123, 133, 134. I3S Cochlospermum Gossypium (silk-cotton), 36

Cock-fighting, 299

Cocoanut, 18, 33, 39, 50, 55, 78, 83, 96, 97, 105, 117, 119, 122, 124, 125, 130, 131, 125, 136, 139, 146, 150, 160, 176, 177, 178, 183, 184, 185, 212, 215, 227, 229, 242, 244, 245, 248, 249, 253, 284, 287, 291, 294, 300, 301

Coffer-fish (Ostracion), 80

Coins, medicine, 196;
offerings, 104, 168–71, 176, 178, 179, 244;
omen, 46;
on magic square, 33;
on navel, 55;
put in sacred fire, 185;
representing deity, 170;
tied to marriage cloth, 49;
to ward off evil eye, 114;
waved round patient, 119;
worn as charm, 192, 195–6,
as vow, 171

Coloured water (arati), waving, 117, 118

Comet, 44, 91

Conch, musical instrument, 294;
on cow’s horns, 111

Concubines kept by demons, 239

Constellations as omens, 55

Coorg, human sacrifice, 213–4

Coral charm, 193

Corpse used in sorcery, 236, 247

Cotton seed, 53, 97, 116, 243

Cow, 17, 58, 59, 79, 80, 88, 111, 150, 156, 176, 202, 301, 305

Cow-dung, 36, 53, 59, 79, 120, 208, 209, 228, 271, 283, 288, 289, 292, 293, 296, 303

Cowry shells in divination and fortune-telling, 276, 277, 283

Crab, 72, 83, 253

Cremation ground, goddess, 236;
sorcery ceremony, 229

Crocodile, 100, 192

Cromlech, 14

Cross-roads, 114, 184, 243, 244, 252, 267, 307

Crow, 67–9, 86–7

Crow-pheasant, 87, 111

Curds, 79, 115, 124, 244

Curls as omens, 52–3

Cutch making, vow, 177 Cynedon Dactylon, 45, 292

Dacoity and housebreaking, omens, 21–2, 40, 41–2, 55, 120

Dakni, 49

Dandasi, 136

Dasara festival, 29, 82, 174, 280, 282

Dasari, 75–6, 142, 146, 147–8, 258

Date-palm, knots in leaves as vow, 158–9

Datura, love charm, 239

Days, lucky and unlucky, 17, 20, 21–2, 24, 29, 30, 35, 44, 45, 46, 65, 67, 69, 104, 105, 133, 134, 186, 218, 240, 242, 284, 286–7, 299, 300, 301

Death, omens, 15, 19, 20, 31, 54, 57, 62, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70

Debts settled by goddess, 172

Deer, bone and horn, 82; skin, 280

Deva-dasi (dancing-girl), 46–7

Devanga, 47, 194

Devil dance, 245

Devil-dancer, 114, 212–3, 246

Dharba grass, 52

Dipavali festival, 135

Dirgayus, 25

Dog, 25, 53, 57, 58, 196, 260

——, wild, 79 Dolichos Lablab eaten at agricultural festival, 300

Domb, 33, 145, 146, 170, 243

Dommara, 94, 98

Donga Dasari, 41

Donkey, 51, 242

Dreams, lucky and unlucky, 19–20

Drowned persons, spirits, 193, 254, 256

Dugong, 85, 240

Dung beetle, 106

Durga puja, 280

Ears and tail of dog cut off, 57

Earth, annointing body, 45;
against evil eye, 115, 116;
balls on corpse, 51;
carried by immoral women, 52;
effigies, 114, 120, 219, 249, 254, 287, 305;
from grave as charm, 194;
in boundary dispute, 38;
pelting with, 206, 303;
rolling in, 145, 146, 150;
trodden on against evil eye, 115,
by elephant, 83;
urine of enemy, 187, 248

——, See Ant-hill

—— god, 59

—— goddess, 36, 39, 199, 303

——, menstruation, 296

—— spirit, 214, 215

Earth-eating, 38–9

—— snake, 96, 97

Eclipse, 42–4, 193, 195, 225

Effigy, 244, 250–1;
ant earth, 36;
ashes, 44, 307;
bamboo, 114;
brick, 113, 287;
charcoal, 307;
clay, 148, 247, 308–9;
coloured powder, 114, 244;
earth, 114, 120, 219, 249, 254, 287, 305;
lead, 251–2;
rice, 114, 245;
straw, 96, 112;
wax, 248;
wood, 112, 164, 249–50

Eggs, 21, 34, 37, 70, 121, 132, 133, 187, 249

Ejjugadu sorcerer, 244

Elephant, 83, 191, 192, 203, 297

—— post for meriah sacrifice, 202–3 Erythrina indica, milk-post, 49

European casts out devils, 181–2

——, spirit propitiated, 178

Evil eye, 109–20, 187, 193

—— tongue, 120

Excommunication, 52, 68, 110

Fasting, 35, 135, 138, 303

Female, unlucky omen, 21

Ficus hispida, 293

Finger, amputation, 240–1

Fire by friction, 14, 35

——, sacred (homam), 51, 185, 186, 212, 213

Fire-walking, offering of hair to deity, 141;
omens, 35;
priest sits on thorns, 145

First-born child, amputation of finger, 240–1;
buried where jackals can devour it, 58;
used in magic, 224–5, 277, 240–1

Fish, sacred, 100–1

Fishermen’s gods, Ganjam, 164–5

Fishes, superstitions, 100–2

Fishing-net and trap to catch spirit, 243

Flowers, omens, 35, 41–2, 47–8, 56

Foetus extracted for magic, 223–6, 229

Forefinger unlucky, 30

Fortune-teller, initiation, 284;
Irula, 284;
Yerukala, 75

Four-legged objects, objection to carrying, 81

Fowl, 36, 70, 98, 105, 150, 154, 171, 246, 295, 304;
sacrifice, 15, 37, 41, 55, 68, 69, 88, 120, 133, 137, 148, 149, 152, 156, 175, 176, 177, 178, 187, 210, 214, 245, 248, 252, 253, 255, 284, 296, 302, 303

Fox, 191

Frenzy during divination or possession, 142, 144, 145, 147, 254, 255–6, 278, 279, 284–5, 287

Frog, 252, 253, 280, 305, 306;
toad, 100

Gadaba, 82, 175

Gamalla, 53, 135

Ganesa, Ganapathi, or Vigneswara, 75, 103, 130, 156, 178, 180, 185, 276, 289, 291, 294

Ganga, 118, 141, 148, 214

Gangajatra festival, 148

Ganja (Indian hemp), 250, 270

Gaping, omen, 26

Gavara, 142

Gazelle (chinkara), 82

Geometric patterns to cure disease, 184–5, 243

Ghi, 78, 86, 124, 132, 133, 147, 185.
See Butter

Gingelly (Sesamum), 46, 50, 76, 127, 192 Givotia rottleriformis, charm, 194

Goat, 105, 154, 176, 202;
sacrifice, 14, 37, 57, 69. 82, 119, 137, 146, 148, 149, 150, 175, 205, 210, 214, 217, 244–5, 255, 267, 282, 284, 295

Go-cart on wheels as vehicle of god, 175

Gourd (Lagenaria) used in sorcery, 227;
to ward off evil eye, 114

Grain, omens, 21, 36, 49, 136;
in fortune-telling, 283;
mixed with meriah ashes, 204;
representing goddess, 61;
to appease evil spirit, 245

—— crop, omens from cattle, 60

Grama devata (village deities), 14, 22, 27, 145, 151, 283;
Amba Bhavani, 281–2;
Ankalamma, 22, 65;
Ankamma, 285;
Chaudeswari, 39;
Chenchu Devudu, 286;
Durgamma, 143, 151;
Ellamma, 41, 137;
Gangamma, 38, 144, 156, 219;
Gurumurthi, 254;
Guttalamma, 155;
Huligavva, 41;
Karuppan, 153;
Kodalamma, 36, 304;
Kolapuriamma, 283;
Kolaramma, 103;
Kulanthal Amman, 172–3;
Magali, 279;
Mariamma, 37, 144, 146, 148, 151, 176, 214;
Mashani Chendi, 236;
Nukalamma, 15;
Pida, 175;
Poleramma, 35, 283, 285;
Saptha Kannimar, 166, 284, 285;
Sattandi Amman, 103;
Siddedevaru, 177;
Yerakamma, 75

Grindstone in rain ceremony, 305

Gudigara, 48, 164

Guest, arrival, omens, 20, 67

Gul bel (Tinospora cordifolia), 94

Gun fired off to accelerate childbirth, 54

Haddi, 83, 106

Hair, burning, 53, 115;
offered to deity, 137, 138, 140–1;
to snakes, 135;
shaving, 22, 29, 45, 309;
singeing as omen, 35;
use in magic, 220, 248, 250, 253–5;
worn as charm, 193

Hair-balls vomited by cows, 61

——-marks (suli) in horses and cattle, 61–5

Hamstringing of murderer’s corpse, 257

Hand, imprint against evil eye, 119–20

Hanged person, bark of tree as charm, 194

Hanuman, 41, 186, 194, 195, 304

Hare, 24, 85

Holeya, 28, 38, 297, 299

Homicide, 199–236;
as thank-offering for recovery from illness, 208;
for discovering treasure, 215–21;
to appease the earth spirit, 214, 215;
to cure possession by devil, 221;
to ensure good crops, 199–207;
to get rid of concubine, 231;
to get rid of sorcerer, 232–4, 236;
to increase fertility of the soil, 208–9;
to insure cattle against disease, 209;
to propitiate village deities, 214;
to secure foetus for sorcery, 224–30;
to stay epidemic, 235–6

Hoofs burnt in lying-in chamber, 53

Hook-swinging, omens, 71

Horn burnt during eclipse, 44;
in lying-in chamber, 53

Horoscope, 80, 274, 275

Horse, 29, 62, 64, 82, 166, 186–7

——, images set up in fields, and at Aiyanar shrines, 166–7

House occupation, omen, 44, 59

House-building, omens, 33, 39–40, 70

Human (meriah) sacrifice, 199–206

—— sacrifice, substituted ceremony, 205–7, 212

Husband’s name, pronouncing unlucky, 20

HyÆna, 76, 77, 191

Idaiyan, 15, 47

“Iguana” (Varanus), 16, 71, 100, 132, 220

Image reflected in oil, 45, 55;
cf. 127, 248

Incense, 14, 53, 102, 118, 130, 176, 177, 194, 200, 229, 260, 261, 284, 285, 286

Indra, 149, 310

Infanticide, Toda, 210

Insect in death ceremony, 106

Insects as omens, 72

Iron against evil eye, 117;
at puberty, marriage, death, etc., 69, 256;
chains dedicated to deity, 153–4;
hung on trees, 156;
worn by Saniyasi, 184;
cure for scorpion sting, 105;
hooks in back, 140;
nails in magic, 148, 222, 247–50, 253–6;
omen, 17;
swinging on, 145;
ordeal, 52, 154;
piercing body, 144

Irula, 178, 234, 284

Ivory beads worn as charm, 193

Jackal, 58, 78, 191;
spurious horns, 189–91

Jagganatha temple, Puri, 142

Jaggery, 78, 133, 147, 287

—— season, religious ceremony, 173–4

Jak (Artocarpus integrifolia), 46, 212, 213, 229, 293

Janappan, 48, 102

Jasmine, 35, 197, 285

Jogi, 77, 85, 271–2

Jokumara rain-making ceremony, 306, 307

Journey, omens, 23–5

Jupiter, planet, 276

Kadir, 83, 232

Kaikolan, 144

Kakkalan, 129

Kali or Durga, festival, 282

Kalla Alagar, 42

Kallan, 42, 133, 169, 244, 286

Kamma, 50, 256

Kammalan, 42, 174

Kaniyan, 213, 273–7, 290

Kappiliyan, 57, 139

Kapu, 53, 87–8, 118, 266, 306, 307

Karamadai festival, 147–8

Kavadi, fish, 138; milk, 137–40

Kevuto, 82

Khatri, 118

Kodumpavi, 308, 309

Koliyan, 117

Konda Dora, 265

Kondh, 21, 56, 66, 76, 83, 86, 87, 111, 199–207, 236, 260, 305

Konga Vellala, 52

Koraga, 26, 67, 81, 151, 299

Korama, 58

Korava or Yerukala, 14, 21, 30, 34–5, 40, 55, 68, 75, 120, 208, 282, 283

Kota, 234, 279, 301

Koyi, 21, 36, 56, 79, 87, 88, 90, 175, 207, 243, 262, 264, 265, 302, 303

Kudubi, 177

Kudumi (caste), 26, 94

—— (hair knot), 31, 162

Kumbara, 26

Kunkumam (red powder), 40, 144, 166, 176, 192, 269

Kuruba, 26, 52, 194, 307, 308

Kurumba, 14, 232–4, 277, 299, 300

Kuruvikkaran, 39, 52, 282

Kusavan potter, 166–7

Kuttichattan, 237–8

Lakshmi or Lutchmi, 61, 195

Lambadi or Brinjari, 101, 136, 154, 155, 181, 209, 210

Lamp and wick, 18, 32, 39, 50, 97, 106, 116, 117, 118, 121, 130, 136, 143, 149, 178, 184, 209, 212, 229, 243, 244, 251, 261, 268, 270, 278, 290, 294

Leaf garments, 149–52

Leaf-cup, 33, 46, 290

Leather, beating with, 146–7;
burnt in lying-in chamber, 53;
refusal to touch, 81

Leaves, devil ceremony, 246;
omen, 40

Leopard, 76, 78, 280

Leprosy, 97, 98, 108, 310

Lime fruit, 22, 39, 50, 160, 244, 245, 249, 269

Lingadar bottles evil spirits, 250

Lingam, 91, 144–5, 183, 304, 305, 308

Lingayat, 135, 144, 239, 256

Lizard, 48–9, 70–1, 98–9, 105, 162, 253

Looking-glass (mirror), 17, 18, 20, 293

Loris, eye used as love charm, 240

Love philtre, 239, 240, 241

Madiga, 27, 77, 119, 151

Magicians pretend to cure disease, 264–5, 267–8;
to discover treasure, 268;
to drive out devils, 268–70;
to make stone bull eat, 272

Magnesite, legend, 88

Mahseer, 101

Mala, 194, 216, 259

Malaiali, 48, 146

Malai Vellala, 83

Malayan, 211, 212, 237, 245

Mammals, superstitions, 73–85

Mandula, 94, 193

Mango, 60, 187, 285, 293

Mannarsala, snake worship, 125–6

Mantram, 37, 92, 93, 133, 135, 163, 166, 180, 181, 182, 186, 187, 213, 225, 227, 242, 244, 247, 248, 250, 258, 261, 267, 269, 270, 276, 277

Mantrasara, 180–1

Mappilla, 87, 111, 128, 129, 187, 188, 193

Maravan, 53, 117

Markandeya, 25

Marks, unlucky, in girls, 52, 180

Marriage of bachelor after death, 51;
of boys and girls to dolls, 159;
of idol to Paraiyan, 297;
omens, 14, 43–4, 47–50, 52, 55, 58, 63, 64;
wave offerings, 117–8

Marriage pots, sacrifice to, 119

Matangi, 27

Meals, omens, 20, 26

Melkote temple, 297

Menstruation, 21, 26, 46, 132, 185–6.
See Puberty

Mercury cups, 196

Meriah sacrifice, 199–207

Metal bowls, blessed at Mecca, 188

Metal votive, and other offerings, 160–4

Milk, 21, 35, 79, 82, 111, 118, 121, 124, 131, 133, 134, 135, 136, 138, 139, 140, 285, 287, 300, 301, 304

——, human, for scorpion sting, 105

Milk-hedge (Euphorbia Tirucalli), 105, 259

—— post, 49, 50, 256 Mimusops hexandra, milk-post, 49

Minige (Argyreia) in Badaga ceremony, 301

Mohwa or ippa (Bassia), 56, 302

Mondi mendicant, 145

Monkey, 17, 73, 205, 207, 240

Monster, birth, 53;
regarded as a devil, 230

Months, lucky and unlucky, 45, 46

Moon, 17, 22, 43, 55, 104, 105, 190, 191, 220, 229, 239, 299, 302, 306

Moon-shaped amulets, 195

Morning, omen on waking, 19

Mosquito, 82, 105

Mouse, 240

Mouth-lock, 139

Muduvar, 73, 76

Muhammadan, 29, 30, 31, 98, 119, 120, 163, 164, 170, 171, 187, 188, 195, 230, 249, 266, 269, 297

Mungoose, 98

Muni or Munisvara, 177, 209, 258, 295

Munro, Sir Thomas, 34

Murrel (Ophiocephalus), 102

Museum, visit unlucky, 54

Musk in agricultural ceremony, 293

Mustard in evil eye ceremony, 119

Nagarapanchami, 123, 124, 135

Nail-cuttings burnt against evil eye, 115;
in lying-in chamber, 53

Nalke devil-dancer, 237

Nambiathy priest at snake shrine, 125–6

Names, lucky and unlucky, 20, 34, 55, 56, 133–4, 143

—— of holy persons drunk as charm, 187

Nandi (sacred bull), 154, 304, 308

Nattukottai Chetti, 117

Nayadi, curse, 119

Nayar, 16, 17, 18, 111, 118, 128–9, 138, 161, 193, 256

Netra mangalya, 167

Nim or margosa (Melia Azadirachta), 36, 53, 55, 94, 105, 115, 133, 144, 149, 150, 151, 156, 214, 254, 285, 304, 306

Nobili, Dr, and magician, 271–2

Nudity, 37, 104, 151, 224–5, 227, 309

Numbers, lucky and unlucky, 23, 26, 30, 31, 33, 34, 49, 52, 56, 68, 75, 117, 133, 135, 136, 184, 186, 194, 228, 229, 248, 249, 251–2, 253, 299, 309

Odde, 68, 70, 93, 109, 256

Odi cult, 226–30 Odina Wodier, abode of devils, 286;
milk-post, 49

Odiyan, 226

Offspring, desire for, 218;
cocoanut broken on head, 146;
diet of monkey flesh, 73;
ear-boring ceremony on doll, 159;
eating cakes, 54;
offerings and vows, 40, 72, 124, 132, 133, 141, 142, 143, 147–8, 150, 151, 155, 158–9, 164, 166, 185;
snake songs, 128

Oil, ceremonial use, 18, 29, 40, 45, 50, 119, 178, 201, 243, 282, 292;
magic oil, 96, 97, 226–9;
marks on door, 119;
omen, 40;
reflection of image, 45, 55

Oleander (Nerium), used in anointing body, 45

Omens, good and bad, 15–7

Ordeal, charcoal, 286;
fire, 146;
iron, 52, 154;
oil, 146, 197, 264, 282;
rice, 285, 288;
sieve, 288;
snake-bite, 123

Ordure, omen, 59;
pelting with, 303;
thrown into houses, 145

Owl, 65–7

Paliyan, 69, 78, 81, 94

Pallan, 117, 133

Palli, 49–50, 52, 117, 133, 152, 153, 216

Palm-leaf book (graandha), 18, 225, 253, 275, 293;
charm, 43, 189, 246, 253;
scroll, 172

Palmyra palm, climbing, 84;
fruits to ward off evil eye, 113;
leaf charm, 187;
many-branched tree worshipped, 177–8

Palni shrine, 137–8, 143, 157

Paampanmekkat (snake guardian), Nambutiri, 126–8

Paanan, 211, 228, 237

Paanchagavyam, 79

Panchamritham, 78 Pandanus fascicularis, believed to harbour snake, 96

Pandavas, 79, 85, 152, 265, 305, 309

Pandu kuli supposed to contain treasure, 215–6

Paniyan, 68, 83, 231, 260

Pano, 221

Paraiyan (Pariah) Malayaalam, 83, 225, 227–8, 232, 246, 255

Paraiyan, Tamil, 17, 27, 51, 57, 84, 117, 118, 133, 148, 158, 194, 197, 240, 244, 297, 309

Parasuraama, 122, 150

Parava devil-dancer, 237

Parivaram, 254

Partridge, 88

Pavai (sorcery effigy), 247

Peacock, 36, 41, 88, 200, 201

Pepper in magic ceremony, 253

Periyapalayam, leaf festival, 148–51 Phaseolus Mungo, thrown into ant-hill, 136

Pig, 83;
sacrifice, 56, 65, 165, 189, 201, 211, 284, 305

Pigeon, 70, 176, 228

Pipal (Ficus religiosa), 118, 133, 138, 288

Placenta, burial, 55; tied to tree, 81

Plague, 171, 266–7

Plantain, 65, 78, 117, 121, 131, 147, 160, 185, 202, 212, 251, 252, 293, 294 Plumbago zeylanica, in magic, 228

Pollution and purification, 26–7, 28, 29, 34, 40, 43, 59, 67, 79, 81, 83, 110, 121, 123, 131–2, 159, 179, 200, 297, 298, 301

Pompada devil-dancer, 237

Pongal festival, 35, 133, 202

Porcupine, 85

Portuguese, spirits propitiated, 179

Possession of men by gods, 56, 142, 144, 147, 172, 213, 255, 267, 278, 279, 282, 284, 287, 301, 308

Pot broken at boundary, 37;
to cure disease, 243;
to scare away owls, 66;
offered to cholera god, 176;
to ward off evil eye, 112, 113, 114;
worn as charm, 194

Prayogasara, 181

Pregnancy 44, 53–4, 70, 85, 100, 246

Pregnant corpses exposed in jungle, 74–5

Prehistoric stone celts offered at shrines, 178

Priapi to ward off evil eye, 112, 113, 114

Prophecy, 272–7, 307–8

Puberty, 46, 57–8, 117, 255–6, 284

Pulaya, 17, 27, 255

Pulluvan, 42, 129–32

Pumpkin, 295, 302

Puri, car festival, 142

Quail, 88

Quivering of animals, 14–5, 295;
of human body, 13

Raagi (Eleusine Coracana), 301

Rags tied to bushes and trees, 155–6;
to scare away owls, 66;
torches, 147

Raahu, 43

Rain caused by monsters in the air, 310–1

Rama, legends, 17, 24, 83–4, 87

Ramanuja, 297

Rama tanka, 235

Rat-snake (Zamenis), 25, 71, 98

Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), wooden figures carved at Tirupati, 159

Reptiles, omens, 70–1;
superstitions, 89–100

Rice at agricultural ceremonies, 290, 291, 293, 294, 295, 300, 302, 304;
at Badaga festival, 116;
at Koyi festival, 303;
at meriah sacrifice, 201, 202;
at rain-making ceremony, 309;
at Vishu festival, 18, 289;
effigies, 130, 185, 244, 245;
in fortune-telling, 283;
in learning alphabet, 30;
in parturition, 54;
offerings, 15, 68, 73, 125, 133, 134, 135, 147, 150, 156, 175, 221, 243, 287, 299;
omens, 20, 33, 34–5, 36, 37, 65;
ordeal, 146, 285, 288;
pot smeared with, 170;
poured over bullock, 166;
Russell’s viper stuffed with, 98;
thrown on corpse, 264;
tied to marriage cloth, 49

—— balls, 22, 26, 67, 86, 115, 117, 253, 262

——, boiled, 34, 37–8, 39, 284

——, charred, charm, 187

—— ears, food for sparrows, 87

—— flour, 32, 157–8, 212

—— unhusked (paddy), 27, 136, 169

Right and left hand factions, 222

Rings worn as amulets, 95, 191, 192, 193;
as vow, 161

Roller or blue jay, 88, 279–80

Russell’s viper, 98

Sahavasi, 102

Sakti, 220

Sakuna Pakshi, 104, 279

Salagrama stone, 288

Saliva, 27, 98, 248

Salt, 28, 115, 116, 118, 146

Sandal (Santalum), 20, 41, 120, 123, 222, 251, 293

Sandals offered to deity, 157–8, 160

Sand-snake (Eryx), 97–8

Sanyasi, 159, 219, 269

Sarasvati, 174, 276

Savara, 33, 73, 75, 155, 164, 165, 189, 262

Scorpion, 20, 82, 102–5, 192

Sedan, 144

Sembadavan, 118

Servile classes, privileges, 27, 296–8 Setaria italica (tenai), 300

Seven, number, 26, 30, 31, 33, 34, 49, 52, 56, 68, 186, 228, 229, 253, 291, 299, 309

Shadow of European thrown on a feast, 109

Shanan, 84, 174, 178, 246

Shark-charmer, 198

Sheep, 14, 22, 52, 191;
sacrifice, 37, 38, 41, 119, 137, 148, 149, 150, 176, 183, 214, 249, 287, 302

Shoe-leather, omen, 57

Shoes in lying-in chamber, 53;
unlucky, 29

Sickle, unlucky for cutting crop, 59

Silence, 38, 287;
vow, 139

Sin, killing insects, 295;
omens, 40, 86

Siva, 24, 65, 71, 86, 101, 115, 162, 163, 184, 279, 297, 305, 307, 308

Skewer through cheeks and tongue, 138, 143, 144, 145

Skull, human, used in sorcery, 228, 241

—— of bull to ward off evil eye, 113

Sleep, omens, 19

Slippers, beating with, 28

Smallpox, 29, 36, 39, 59, 115, 166 175, 212, 235

Smasanakollai festival, 136

Snake, 20, 25, 43, 71, 89–91, 96, 98, 186, 260

——, cremation, 123

—— gods, propitiation by Pulluvans, 129–32

—— grove, 122–3, 126–7, 129, 131

—— mosque at Manarghat, 129

—— shrine (naga kovil), 92

—— songs, 128

—— stones, 120, 123–6, 131–3

Snake-bite, 92–6, 193

——-charmers, 92–6, 129

——-wood tree, 91

Snakes, images, 43, 124, 127, 160

—— inhabit white-ant hills, 129, 133–6

Sneezing, omen, 25, 26

Sonaga, 196

Sparrow, 70, 87–8

Spider, 105, 240

Spitting, 26, 27

Square, magic, 32, 36–7, 74, 78, 183, 184, 194, 215, 274, 276

Squirrel, 83–4

Sradh (anniversary ceremony for dead), 67–8, 83

Sravana Belgola, colossal Jain figure, 135

Srinivasa fish, 102

Sterility, umbilical cord a cure, 55

Stone, magic (yantram rayi), 180, 183–5.

Stones piled up as vow, 158;
in honour of deity, 155–7;
throwing into house, 239;
water-worn in shrine, 14

Strangers, unlucky omen, 111 Strychnos Nux-vomica, 248, 251, 290

Sugar, 78, 86, 140, 147, 170, 171, 213.
See Jaggery

Sukra, 308, 309

Sun, 43, 51, 64, 204, 206, 276

—— god, 35

Suttee, 75

Sword balanced on pot, 39;
boundary ceremony, 36;
cutting body, 144, 145, 278;
in worship, 153, 177

Syphilis, 76, 243

Tali, 46, 47, 48, 51, 143, 153, 158, 166, 195, 297

Tamarind, 119, 154

Teeth, extraction, 257–60

Telli, 81

Temple car, 53, 114, 144, 222–3, 297;
festival, 142 Terminalia tomentosa, 36, 304

Teyyambadi, 128

Thanda Pulayan, 246 Thelyphonus (whip-scorpion), 105

Thorns fixed to door, 296;
lying and sitting on, 145;
stuck into effigies, 120, 251, 252, 254;
to catch earth spirit, 243

Thread, sacred, 194

—— (string), charm, 193;
for tying yantram, 220;
movement as omen, 15, 41;
wound round ant-hill, 135–6

Thulabharam ceremony, 171–2

Thunder, 19

Tiger, 14, 57, 74–6, 189, 260, 261, 262, 280

Tipu Sultan, 44–5, 101, 188

Tirupati (Tirumala), 55, 137, 141, 143, 148, 156–9, 161, 168–9

Tiyan, 46, 82, 128, 162–3, 246

Toad, 100

Tobacco, 20, 27, 178, 208, 250, 259

Toda, 141, 210, 233, 234, 279

Toddy, 186, 187, 200, 251, 252, 253, 262, 263, 287, 295, 299, 302

Torch, against evil eye, 115;
beating body, 146;
in death ceremony, 244;
rain ceremony, 309;
snake ceremony, 131;
rag torch tied to tree, 156

Tortoise, 71, 192

Tottiyan, 14, 28, 94, 260

Treading on charm, 185, 243, 247, 252, 307;
on name cut on road, 159;
water poured on footsteps, 51.
See Earth

Treasure, beliefs, 85, 90–1, 102, 221;
human sacrifice, 215–21

Tree of testimony as charm, 188

Tree-snake, Dendrophis, 96;
Dryophis, 96, 97

Trisula (Siva’s trident), 183–4

Tud (Meliosma pungens) in Badaga ceremony, 300

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), 53, 291

Turban, omen, 41

Turmeric, 36, 40, 77, 114, 117, 125, 130, 166, 170, 171, 175, 176, 177, 185, 190, 194, 199, 202, 206, 212, 227, 243, 246, 269, 278, 283, 284, 292, 293, 295

Twins, 54

Umbilical cord, 25, 54–5, 105

Umbrella, unlucky, 29, 63;
silver, offering, 160

Uncle, 55;
maternal, 54, 55, 70;
paternal, 55

Urali, 48, 68

Urine of animals as omen, 15, 21, 58;
of enemy in magic, 187, 248;
of cattle, 58, 59, 79, 97;
of monkey, 73;
of monsters, 310–1;
of wild dogs, 79

Vada, 40–1

Valaiyan, 56, 133, 244, 286

Valluvan magician, 268

Valmiki, 135

Varuna, 122, 305

Varuna japam, prayer to the rain god, 308–10

Velama, 216

Velichchapad, 277–8

Vellalan, 133

Venus, planet, 44

Vettiyan grave-digger, 309

Vettuvan, 151 Vigna Catiang seeds as omens, 39

Viramushti, 94, 144

Virgin and Child, picture works miracles, 161

——, catamenial blood in magic, 240;
corpse in sorcery, 242;
vows, 158

Vishnupad (feet of Vishnu), 193

Vishu festival, 17–9, 289

Vontigadu ceremony, 50–1

Vulture, sacred, 86

Washing of feet, ceremonial, 22, 31

Water, charm, 189;
drunk as charm, 187;
holy, 14, 123, 220;
poured over idol as vow, 147;
cf. 142

Water-snake, 96, 98

Wave offering, 114, 115, 117–9, 135, 171, 245

White-ant. See Ant

Whooping-cough caused by Bhairava, the dog-god, 196

Widow, 21, 30, 46, 51, 52

Winnowing basket, 292, 293;
fan, 26, 283, 306;
sieve, 20, 80, 117, 287;
tray, 68, 283

Wolf, 77

Woodpecker, 85

Wool of black sheep, charm, 191

Words, lucky and unlucky, 29, 30, 31

Yaanaadi, 82, 95, 285

Yantram, 182, 185–7, 196–7, 219, 227

Yantrasara, 181

Yerukala. See Korava

Yetah fish (Bagarius), used in magic, 253

Yogi, 104

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