Folk Lore Notes. Vol. I—Gujarat

by A. M. T. Jackson

The worship of totems is not known to prevail in Gujarāt, but the names of persons and clans or families are occasionally derived from animals and plants.

Instances of names derived from animals are given below:—

	NAME.	ANIMAL FROM WHICH DERIVED.			NAME.	ANIMAL FROM WHICH DERIVED.
1.	Hāthibhāi	Hathi—an elephant.		8.	Mankodia	Mankoda—a black ant.
2.	Vāghajibhāi	Vāgh—a tiger.		9.	Tido	Tid—a locust.[2]
3.	Nāgjibhāi	Nāg—a snake.		10.	Hansrāj	Hansa—a goose.
4.	Popatbhāi	Popat—a parrot.		11.	Vinchi[3]	Vinchi—a female scorpion.
5.	Morbhāi	Mor—a peacock.		12.	Olo	Olo—a species of bird.
6.	Chaklibhat	Chakli—a sparrow.[1]		13.	Ajo	Aja—a goat.
7.	Kido	Kidi—an ant.		14.	Mena[3]	Mena—a species of bird.[4]

The Kāli Parāj or aboriginal tribes in Gujarāt give such names as Kāgdo (crow), Kolo (Jackal), Bilādo (cat), Kutro (dog) to their children according as one or other of these animals is heard to cry at the time of birth.[5]

The following are instances of names derived from plants:—

	NAME.	PLANT OR TREE FROMWHICH DERIVED.			NAME.	PLANT OR TREE FROMWHICH DERIVED.
1.	Gulāb[6]	Gulāb—the rose.		8.	Dudhi[3]	Dudhi—Pumpkin.
2.	Ambo	Ambo—the mango.		9.	Lavengi[3]	Laveng—Clove.
3.	Tulsibāi[3]	Tulsi—the sweet basil.		10.	Mulo	Mulo—Radish.
4.	Tulsidās	Ditto.		11.	Limbdo	Limbdo—The Nim tree.
5.	Kesharbāi[3]	Keshar—Saffron.		12.	Mako	Maki—Maize.[8]
6.	Galālbāi[3]	Galāl—Red powder.[7]		13.	Champo	Champa—Michelia Champaca.[9]
7.	Bili[3]	Bili—Aeglemarmelos.

Instances of family or clan names derived from trees and animals are as follows:—

	NAME.	DERIVATION.			NAME.	DERIVATION.
1.	Untia	Unt—camel.		6.	Bhensdadia	Bhensa—A buffalo.
2.	Gadheda	Gadheda—An ass.		7.	Ghetiya	Gheta—A sheep.
3.	Dedakia	Dedako—A frog.		8.	Sāvaj	A species of wild animals.[10]
4.	Balada	Balad—An ox.		9.	Kakadia	Kakadi—cucumber.[11]
5.	Godhani	Godho—A bull.

The cow, the she-goat, the horse, the deer, peacock, the Tilad or singing sparrow, the goose, the Nāg or snake, the eagle, the elephant and the male monkey are believed to be sacred by all Hindus. Of these, the greatest sanctity attaches to the cow. Her urine is sipped for the atonement of sins. The cow is also revered by the Pārsis.[12]