The Coorgs

The Coorgs, or Kodavas as they are properly called, are the principal tribe of Coorg, and from time immemorial the lords of the soiL. For the last 5 centuries they are known as a compact body of mountaineers, who resemble more a Scotch clan than a Hindu caste. In the Hindu scale they are Sudras, but it ought to be the right of the Coorgs to discard the notion of caste altogether, which in fact does not apply to them, and to stand upon their own merits as Kodavas, the remarkable mountain clan of Coorg.

The Coorgs are tall, muscular, broad chested, strong limbed and swiftfooted. Men of 6 feet and above are not uncommon. Their features are regular, often distinguished by an aquiline nose and finely chiselled lips, set off by a well trimmed moustache, as worn by their Rajas and men distinguished for bravery. The colour of the Coorgs is lighter than what might be expected under this latitude.

Sir Erskine Perry, in a publication of 1853, says, "The inhabitants of Coorg, in independent bearing, good looks, and all the outward signs of well being, are by far the finest race I have seen in India."

The principal Coorg dress is a long coat (kupya) of white or blue cotton, or dark coloured cloth and even velvet. It reaches below the knees, and is open in front; if not white, it has short sleeves, under which longer ones of a different colour extend to the wrist. The coat is held together by a red or blue sash of cotton or silk, which is several times wound round the waist, and which holds the never failing Coorg knife, with ivory or silver handle and chains of the same metal. A red kerchief, or the peculiarly fashioned turban, which is large and flat at the top and covers a portion of the back of the neck, forms the head-dress.

The Coorg warrior looks more imposing. His dress is of the same cut, but of coarser material and shorter. In addition to his handy waistknife (picha-katti), he wears on his back, in a strong clasp of brass, the curved, broad-bladed Coorg knife (odu-katti). The long matchlock gun is now more a weapon of curiosity than of practical use. In the times of their Rajas, during their wars with Mysore and Malabar, and in their marauding expeditions, the Coorgs proved themselves brave soldiers, and were dreaded for their fierce intrepidity.

The personal appearance of the Kodavatis or Coorg women is not less striking than that of the men. They are remarkably fair, of goodly stature, and many are really beautiful. Their festive costume is one of the most becoming that can be seen in India.

The Amma Kodavas form a small and exclusive sect. They are believed to have been the indigenous priesthood. In language, manners and costume, they are hardly distinguished from other Coorgs, only they wear the brahmanical cord and abstain from animal food and fermented liquor. Their name Amma Kodava or Mother's Coorgs denotes that they are priests devoted to the service of Kaveri Amma, or Mother Kaveri. They have no sacred books or shastras, nor do they exercise any spiritual influence over the people.

Source: Mysore and Coorg, Vol. III by Lewis Rice