as coolies. They are
demon-worshippers, their favourite deity being Karingali (black Kali).
Their language, a dialect of Malay[=a]lam, is peculiar to them. Among
the other tribes or castes special to Coorg are the Heggades (1503 in
1901), cultivators from Malabar; the Ayiri (898), who constitute the
artisan caste; the Medas (584), who are basket-and mat-makers, and act
as drummers at feasts; the Binepatta (98), originally wandering
musicians from Malabar, now agriculturists; the Kavadi (49), cultivators
from Yeden[=a]lkn[=a]d; all these speak the Coorg language, wear the
Coorg dress, and conform, more or less, to Coorg customs. Other tribes
are not special to Coorg. Of these the Holeyas (27,000) are the most
numerous. They are divided into four sections: Badagas from Mysore,
Kembattis and M[=a]ringis from Malabar, Kukkas from S. Kanara. They were
formerly the slaves of the Kodagas and now act as their menials. The
Lingayats (8700) are rather a religious sect than a tribe. Of the Tulu
(farmer) class the Gaudas (11,900), who live principally along the
western boundary, are the most important; they speak Tulu and wear the
Coorg dress. Other castes and tribes are the Tiyas (1500) and Nayars
(1400), immigrants from Malay[=a]lam; the Vellala (1300), who are
Tamils; the Mahrattas (2400) and Brahmans (1100). Of the Mussulmans the
most numerous are the Moplahs (6700) and the Shaikhs (4400), both
chiefly traders. Of native Christians there are upwards of 3000. The
official language of Coorg, which is that spoken by 45% of the
population, is Kanarese (Kannada), the Coorg language (Kodagu) coming
next. The Coorg dress is very picturesque, its characteristics being a
long coat (Kupasa), of dark-coloured cloth, reaching below the knees,
folded across and confined at the waist by a red or blue girdle. The
sleeves are cut off below the elbow, showing the arms of a white shirt.
The head-dress is a red kerchief, or a peculiar large, flat turban,
covering the back of the neck. The Coorg also carries a short knife,
with an ivory or silver hilt, fastened with silver chains and stuck into
the girdle. A large, broad-bladed waist knife, akin to the _kukri_ of
the Gurkhas, worn at the back, point upwards, was formerly a formidable
weapon in hand-to-hand fighting, but is now used only for exhibitions of
strength and skill on festive occasions.

The chief crops are rice and coffee. Some abandoned coffee land has been
planted with tea as an exper