Book: An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies

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[They violently took away Carriers goods.] Formerly, in this Kings
Reign these wild men used to lye in wait, to catch Carriers people,
that went down with Oxen to trade at the Sea-Ports, carrying down
Betelnuts, and bringing up Cloth, and would make them to give them
such things as they required, or else threatning to shoot them. They
fearing their lives, and not being able to resist, were fain to give
them what they asked; or else most certainly they would have had both
life and goods too. At which this King sent many Commanders with their
Soldiers to catch them, which at length they did: But had not some of
themselves proved false to them, being incouraged by large promises,
they could never have taken them. The chief being brought before
the King, promising amendment, were pardoned: but sent into other
Woods with a Command not to return thither any more, neitheir to use
their former courses. But soon after their departure, they forsook
those Woods they were put into, and came to their old haunt again,
falling to their former course of Life. This the King hearing of,
and how they had abused his Pardon, gave command either to bring them
dead or alive. These Vaddahs knowing now there could be no hope of
Pardon, would not be taken alive, but were shot by the Treachery of
their own men. The heads of two of the chiefest were hanged on Trees
by the City. And ever since they have not presumed to disturb the
Countrey, nor the King them he only desiring their quiet, and not to
be against him.

[Hourly Vadahs trade with the people.] About Hourly the remotest of
the Kings Dominions there are many trade with the of them, that are
pretty tame, and come and buy and sell among the people. The King
once having occasion of an hasty Expedition against the Dutch, the
Governour summoned them all in to go with him, which they did. [One
made to serve the King.] And with their Bows and Arrows did as good
service as any of the rest but afterwards when they returned home
again they removed farther in the Woods, and would be seen no more,
for fear of being afterwards prest again to serve the King.

[Their habit and Religion.] They never cut their hair but tye it up on
their Crowns in a bunch. The cloth they use, is not broad nor large,
scarcely enough to cover their Buttocks. The wilder and tamer sort of
them do observe a Religion. They have a God peculiar to themselves. The
tamer do build Temples, the wild only bring their sacrifice under
Trees, and while it is offering, dance round it, both men and women.

[A Skirmish about their bounds.] They have their bounds in the Woods
among themselves, and one company of them is not to shoot nor gather
hony or fruit beyond those bounds. Neer the borders stood a Jack-Tree;
one Vaddah being gathering some fruit from this Tree, another Vaddah
of the next division saw him, and told him he had nothing to do to
gather Jacks from that Tree, for that belonged to them. They fell
to words and from words to blows, and one of them shot the other. At
which more of them met and fell to skirmishing so briskly with their
Bows and Arrows, that twenty or thirty were left dead upon the spot.

[Curious in their Arrows.] They are so curious of their Arrows
that no Smith can please them; The King once to gratifie them for
a great Present they brought him, gave all of them of his best made
Arrow-blades: which nevertheless would not please their humour. For
they went all of them to a Rock by a River and ground them into another
form. The Arrows they use are of a different fashion from all other,
and the Chingulays will not use them.

[Now they preserve their flesh.] They have a peculiar way by themselves
of preserving Flesh. They cut a hollow Tree and put honey in it,
and then fill it up with flesh, and stop it up with clay. Which lyes
for a reserve to eat in time of want.

[How they take Elephants.] It has usually been told me that their
way of catching Elephants is, that when the Elephant lyes asleep they
strike their ax into the sole of his foot, and so laming him he is in
their power to take him. But I take this for a fable, because I know
the sole of the Elephants foot is so hard, that no ax can pierce it
at a blow; and he is so wakeful that they can have no opportunity to
do it.

[The dowries they give. Their disposition.] For portions with their
Daughters in marriage they give hunting Dogs. They are reported
to be courteous. Some of the Chingulays in discontent will leave
their houses and friends, and go and live among them, where they are
civilly entertained. The tamer sort of them, as hath been said, will
sometimes appear, and hold some kind of trade with the tame Inabitants,
but the wilder called Ramba-Vaddahs never shew themselves.

[A description of a Chingulay.] But to come to the civilized
Inhabitants, whom I am chiefly to treat of. They are a people proper
and very well favoured, beyond all people that I have seen in India,
wearing a cloth about their Loyns, and a doublet after the English
fashion, with little skirts buttoned at the wrists, and gathered at the
shoulders like a shirt, on their heads a red Tunnis Cap, or if they
have none, another Cap with flaps of the fashion of their Countrey,
described in the next Chapter, with a handsom short hanger by their
side, and a knife sticking in their bosom on the right side.

[Their disposition.] They are very active and nimble in their Limbs:
and very ingenious: for, except Iron-work, all other things they have
need of, they make and do themselves: insomuch that they all build
their own houses. They are crafty and treacherous, not to be trusted
upon any protestations: for their manner of speaking is very smooth
and courteous, insomuch that they who are unacquainted with their
dispositions and manners, may easily be deceived by them. For they
make no account nor conscience of lying, neither is it any shame
or disgrace to them, if they be catched in telling lyes: it is so
customary. They are very vigilant and wakeful, sufficed with very
little sleep: very hardy both for diet and weather, very proud and
self conceited. They take something after the Bramines, with whom
they scruple not both to marry and eat. In both which otherwise they
are exceeding shy and cautious. For there being many Ranks or Casts
among them, they will not match with any Inferiour to themselves;
nor eat meat dressed in any house, but in those only that are of as
good a Cast or Race as themselves: and that which any one hath left,
none but those that are near of kin will eat.

They are not very malitious one towards another; and their anger doth
not last long; seldom or never any blood shed among them in their
quarrels. It is not customary to strike; and it is very rare that they
give a blow so much as to their Slaves; who may very familiarly talk
and discourse with their Masters. They are very near and covetous,
and will pinch their own bellies for profit; very few spend-thrifts
or bad husbands are to be met with here.

[The Inhabitants of the Mountains differ from those of the
Low-Lands.] The Natures of the Inhabitants of the Mountains and
Low-lands are very different. They of the Low-lands are kind, pittiful,
helpful, honest and plain, compassionating Strangers, which we found by
our own experience among them. They of the Up-lands are ill-natured,
false, unkind, though outwardly fair and seemingly courteous, and
of more complaisant carriage, speech and better behaviour, than
the Low-landers.

[Their good opinion of Virtue, though they practice it not.] Of
all Vices they are least addicted to stealing, the which they do
exceedingly hate and abhor, so that there are but few Robberies
committed among them. They do much extol and commend Chastity,
Temperance, and Truth in words and actions; and confess that it is
out of weakness and infirmity, that they cannot practice the same,
acknowledging that the contrary Vices are to be abhorred, being
abomination both in the sight of God and Man. They do love and delight
in those Men that are most Devout and Precise in their Matters. As
for bearing Witness for Confirmation in any matters of doubt, a
Christians word will be believed and credited far beyond their own:
because, they think, they make more Conscience of their words.

[Superstitious.] They are very superstitious in making Observations
of any little Accidents, as Omens portending good to them or
evil. Sneezing they reckon to import evil. So that if any chance to
sneeze when he is going about his Business, he will stop, accounting
he shall have ill success if he proceeds. And none may Sneeze, Cough,
nor Spit in the King's Presence, either because of the ill boding of
those actions, or the rudeness of them or both. There is a little
Creature much like a Lizzard, which they look upon altogether as a
Prophet, whatsoever work or business they are going about; if he crys,
they will cease for a space, reckoning that he tells them there is a
bad Planet rules at that instant. They take great notice in a Morning
at their first going out, who first appears in their sight: and if
they see a White Man, or a big-bellied Woman, they hold it fortunate:
and to see any decrepit or deformed People, as unfortunate.

[How they travail.] When they travel together a great many of them,
the Roads are so narrow, that but one can go abreast, and if there
be Twenty of them, there is but one Argument or Matter discoursed
of among them all from the first to the last. And so they go talking
along all together, and every one carrieth his Provisions on his back
for his whole Journey.

[A brief Character of them.] In short, in Carriage and Behaviour they
are very grave and stately like unto the Portugals, in understanding
quick and apprehensive, in design subtil and crafty, in discourse
courteous but full of Flatteries, naturally inclined to temperance
both in meat and drink, but not to Chastity, near and Provident in
their Families, commending good Husbandry. In their dispositions
not passionate, neither hard to be reconciled again when angry. In
their Promises very unfaithful, approving lying in themselves, but
misliking it in others; delighting in sloath, deferring labour till
urgent necessity constrain them, neat in apparel, nice in eating;
and not given to much sleep.

[The Women their Habit and Nature.] As for the Women, their Habit
is a Wastcoat of white Callico covering their Bodies, wrought into
flourishes with Blew and Red; their Cloath hanging longer or shorter
below their Knees, according to their quality; a piece of Silk flung
over their heads; Jewels in their Ears, Ornaments about their Necks,
and Arms, and Middles. They are in their gate and behaviour very high,
stately in their carriage after the Portugal manner, of whom I think
they have learned: yet they hold it no scorn to admit the meanest to
come to speech of them. They are very thrifty, and it is a disgrace
to them to be prodigal, and their Pride & Glory to be accounted near
& saving. And to praise themselves they will sometimes say, That
scraps and parings will serve them; but that the best is for their
Husbands. The Men are not jealous of their Wives, for the greatest
Ladies in the Land will frequently talk and discourse with any Men
they please, altho their Husbands be in presence. And altho they be
so stately, they will lay their hand to such work as is necessary to
be done in the House, notwithstanding they have Slaves and Servants
enough to do it. Let this suffice concerning the Nature and Manners
of the People in general: The ensuing Chapters will be spent in more
particular accounts of them. And because they stand much upon their
Birth and Gentility, and much of what is afterwards to be related
hath reference unto it: I shall first speak of the various ranks and
degrees of Men among them.







CHAP. II.

Concerning their different Honours, Ranks, and Qualities.


[How they distinguish themselves according to their qualities.] Among
this People there are divers and sundry Casts or degrees of Quality,
which is not according to their Riches or Places of Honour the King
promotes them to, but according to their Descent and Blood. And
whatsoever this Honour is, be it higher or lower, it remains
Hereditary from Generation to Generation. They abhor to eat or
drink, or intermarry with any of Inferior Quality to themselves. The
signs of higher or meaner Ranks, are wearing of Doublets, or going
bare-backed without them: the length of their Cloth below their knees;
their sitting on Stools, or on Blocks or Mats spread on the Ground:
and in their Caps.

[They never marry beneath their rank.] They are especially careful
in their Marriages, not to match with any inferior Cast, but always
each within their own rank: Riches cannot prevail with them in the
least to marry with those by whom they must eclipse and stain the
Honour of their Family: on which they set an higher price than on
their lives. And if any of the Females should be so deluded, as to
commit folly with one beneath her self, if ever she should appear to
the sight of her Friends, they would certainly kill her, there being
no other way to wipe off the dishonour she hath done the Family,
but by her own Blood.

[In case a Man lies with a Woman of inferior rank.] Yet for the Men
it is something different; it is not accounted any shame or fault for
a Man of the highest sort to lay with a Woman far inferior to himself,
nay of the very lowest degree; provided he neither eats nor drinks with
her, nor takes her home to his House, as a Wife. But if he should,
which I never knew done, he is punished by the Magistrate, either by
Fine or Imprisonment, or both, and also he is utterly ecluded from
his Family, and accounted thenceforward of the same rank and quality,
that the Woman is of, whom he hath taken. If the Woman be married
already, with whom the Man of better rank lies, and the Husband come
and catch them together; how low soever the one be and high the other,
he may kill him, and her too, if he please.

And thus by Marrying constantly each rank within it self, the Descent
and Dignity thereof is preserved for ever; and whether the Family be
high or low it never alters. But to proceed to the particular ranks
and degrees of Men among them.

[Their Noblemen.] The highest, are their Noblemen, called
Hondrews. Which I suppose comes from the word Homdrewne, a Title given
to the King, signifying Majesty: these being honourable People. 'Tis
out of this sort alone, that the King chooseth his great Officers
and whom he imploys in his Court, and appoints for Governors over
his Countrey. Riches are not here valued, nor make any the more
Honourable. For many of the lower sorts do far exceed these Hondrews
in Estates. But it is the Birth and Parentage that inobleth.

[How distinguished from others.] These are distinguished from others
by their names, and the wearing of their cloth, which the Men wear
down half their Legs, and the Women to their Heels: one end of which
Cloth the Women fling over their Shoulders, and with the very end
carelesly cover their Breasts; whereas the other sort of Women must
go naked from the wast upwards, and their Cloaths not hang down much
below their Knees: except it be for cold; for then either Women or Men
may throw their Cloth over their Backs. But then they do excuse it to
the Hondrews, when they meet them, saying, Excuse me, it is for warmth.

[The distinction by Caps.] They are distinguished also by their own
Countrey-Caps, which are of the fashion of Mitres: there are two flaps
tied up over the top of the Crown. If they be Hondrews, their Caps
are all of one Colour, either White or Blew: if of inferior quality,
than the Cap and the flaps on each side be of different Colours,
whereof the Flaps are always Red.

[Of the Hondrews two sorts.] Of these Hondrews there be two sorts,
the one somewhat Inferior to the other as touching Marriage; but not
in other things. The greatest part of the Inhabitants of the Land
are of the degree of Hondrews.

All Christians either White or Black are accounted equal with the
Hondrews. The Whites are generally Honourable, only it is an abatement
of their Honour that they eat Beef, and wash not after they have been
at Stool; which things are reckoned with this People an Abomination.

[An Honour like unto Knighthood.] Among the Noblemen may be mentioned
an Honour, that the King confers, like unto Knighthood; it ceaseth
in the Person's death, and is not Hereditary. The King confers it
by putting about their Heads a piece of Silk or Ribbond embroidered
with Gold and Silver, and bestowing a Title upon them. They are
stiled Mundianna. There are not above two or three of them now in
the Realm living.

[Goldsmiths, Blacksmiths, Carpenters, &c.] Next after the degree
of Hondrews may be placed Goldsmiths, Blacksmiths, Carpenters and
Painters. Who are all of one degree and quality. But the Hondrews will
not eat with them: however in Apparel there is no difference; and they
are also privileged to sit on Stools, which none of the Inferior ranks
of People hereafter mentioned, may do. Heretofore they were accounted
almost equal to the Inferior sort of Hondrewes, and they would eat
in these Artificers Houses, but afterwards they were degraded upon
this occasion. It chanced some Hondrews came to a Smith's Shop to
have their Tools mended, when it came to be Dinner time, the Smith
leaves work, and goes in to his House to dine, leaving the Hondrewes
in his Shop: who had waited there a great while to have their work
done. Now whether the Smith fearing lest their hunger might move them
to be so impudent or desperate as to partake with him of his Dinner,
clapt to his Door after him: Which was taken so hainously by those
hungry People in his Shop, that immediately they all went and declared
abroad what an affront the Smith had put upon them. Whereupon it was
decreed and confirmed, that for ever after all the People of that rank
should be deposed, and deprived of the Honour of having the Hondrewes
to eat in their Houses. Which Decree hath stood in force ever since.

[The Privilege and state of the Smiths.] Nevertheless these Smiths
take much upon them, especially those who are the King's Smiths; that
is, such who live in the King's Towns, and do his work. These have
this Privilege, that each has a parcel of Towns belonging to them,
whom none but they are to work for. The ordinary work they do for
them is mending their Tools, for which every Man pays to his Smith a
certain Rate of Corn in Harvest time according to ancient Custom. But
if any hath work extraordinary, as making new Tools or the like,
besides the aforesaid Rate of Corn, he must pay him for it. In order
to this, they come in an humble manner to the Smith with a Present,
being Rice, Hens, and other sorts of Provision, or a bottle of Rack,
desiring him to appoint his time, when they shall come to have their
work done. Which when he hath appointed them, they come at the set
time, and bring both Coals and Iron with them. The Smith sits very
gravely upon his Stool, his Anvil before him, with his left hand
towards the Forge, and a little Hammer in his Right. They themselves
who come with their work must blow the Bellows, and when the Iron is
to be beaten with the great Maul, he holds it, still sitting upon his
Stool, and they must hammer it themselves, he only with his little
Hammer knocking it sometimes into fashion. And if it be any thing to
be filed, he makes them go themselves and grind it upon a Stone, that
his labour of fileing may be the less; and when they have done it as
well as they can, he goes over it again with his file and finisheth
it. That which makes these Smiths thus stately is, because the Towns
People are compelled to go to their own Smith, and none else. And if
they should, that Smith is liable to pay Dammages that should do work
for any in another Smith's Jurisdiction.

[Craftsmen.] All that are of any Craft or Profession are accounted
of an inferior degree, as Elephant Catchers, and Keepers, who are
reckoned equal with the Smiths, &c. abovesaid, tho they neither eat
nor marry together; and these may wear Apparel as do the Hondrews,
and sit on Stools, but the Hondrews eat not with them.

No Artificers ever change their Trade from Generation to Generation;
but the Son is the same as was his Father, and the Daughter marries
only to those of the same Craft: and her Portion is such Tools as
are of use, and do belong unto the Trade: tho the Father may give
over and above what he pleaseth.

[Barbars.] Next are are Barbars; both the Women and Men may wear
Doublets, but not sit on Stools, neither will any eat with them.

[Potters] Potters yet more Inferior, may not wear any Doublets, nor
their Cloth much below the Knee, nor sit on Stools, neither will any
eat with them. But they have this Privilege, because they make the
Pots, that when they are athirst being at a Hondrew's House, they may
take his Pot, which hath a Pipe to it, and pour the Water into their
mouths themselves: which none other of these inferior degrees may be
admitted to do: but they must hold their hands to their mouths and
gape, and the Hondrews themselves will pour the Water in. The Potters
were at first denied this Honour, upon which they joyntly agreed to
make Pots with Pipes only for themselves, and would sell none to the
Hondrews that wanted; whereat being constrained, they condescended to
grant them the Honour above other inferior People, that they should
have the favour to drink out of these Pots with spouts at their Houses.

[Washers.] The next are the Ruddaughs, Washers. Of these there are
great Numbers. They wash Cloths for all People to the degree of a
Potter; but for none below that degree. Their usual Posture is to
carry a Cloth on their Shoulder, both Men and Women: They use Lye
in their washing, setting a Pot over the Fire holding seven or eight
Gallons of Water, and lay the foul Cloths on the top; and the steam
of the water goes into the Cloths and scalds them. Then they take
them and carry them to a River side, and instead of rubbing them with
their hands, slap them against the Rock, and they become very clean;
nor doth this tear the Cloths at all, as they order it.

[Jaggory-Makers.] Another rank after these are the Hungrams, or
Jaggory-Makers. Tho none will eat with them, yet it is lawful to
buy and eat the Jaggory they make, (which is a kind of Sugar) but
nothing else.

[The Poddah.] Another sort among them is the Poddah. These are of no
Trade or Craft, but are Husbandmen and Soldiers, yet are inferior to
all that have been named hitherto. For what reason neither I, nor,
I think, themselves can tell: only thus it falls to them by Succession
from their Predecessors, and so will ever remain.

[Weavers.] After these are the Weavers. Who beside their Trade,
which is Weaving Cloth, are Astrologers, and tell the People good
Days and good Seasons: and at the Birth of a Child write for them an
account of the day, time and Planet, it was born in and under. These
accounts they keep with great Care all their Life-time: by which they
know their Age, and what success or evil shall befall them.

These People also beat Drums, and play on Pipes, and dance in the
Temples of their Gods, and at their Sacrifices; they eat and carry
away all such Victuals as are offered to their Idols. Both which to
do and take, is accounted to belong to People of a very low degree
and quality. These also will eat dead Cows.

[Basket-Makers.] Next to the Weavers are the Kiddeas or
Basket-Makers. Who make Fans to fan Corn, and Baskets of Canes,
and Lace, Bedsteds and Stools.

[Mat-Makers.] Then follow the Kirinerahs. Whose Trade is to make fine
Matts. These Men may not wear any thing on their Heads. The Women of
none of these sorts ever do. Of these two last there are but few.

[The lower ranks may not assume the Habit or Names of the higher.] All
below the Couratto or Elephant-Men, may not sit on Stools, nor
wear Doublets, except the Barbar, nor wear the Cloth low down their
Legs. Neither may any of these ranks of People, either Man or Woman,
except the Potter and the Washer, wear the end of their Cloth to cover
their Bodies, unless they be sick or cold. Neither may they presume to
be called by the Names that the Hondrews are called by; nor may they,
where they are not known, change themselves by pretending or seeming
to be higher than Nature hath made them: and I think they never do,
but own themselves in the rank and quality wherein they were born,
and demean themselves accordingly.

All Outlandish People are esteemed above the inferior ranks. The Names
of the Hondrews always end in oppow, of others below the degree of
the Elephant People in adgah.

[Slaves.] The Slaves may make another rank. For whose maintenance,
their Masters allow them Land and Cattle. Which many of them do so
improve; that except in Dignity they are not far behind their Masters,
only they are not permitted to have Slaves. Their Masters will not
diminish or take away ought, that by their Diligence and Industry
they have procured, but approve of it, as being Persons capable to
repose trust in. And when they do buy or otherways get a new Slave,
they presently provide him a Wife, and so put him forward to keep
House, and settle, that he may not think of running away. Slaves that
are born of Hondrew Parents, retain the Honour of their degree.

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