The five tribes inhabiting the Nilgiri Hills are shown in [Fig. 68] (taken from Breeks), the Todas in the centre with the Badagas on their right and the Kotas on their left. Next to the Badagas are the Irulas, and next to the Kotas are the Kurumbas.

The tribes with which the Todas come into contact habitually are the Badagas and Kotas, while their points of contact with Kurumbas and Irulas are much less important. The Badagas are not only the agriculturists of the Todas, but are the constant intermediaries between the Todas and the extra-Nilgiri world. The two tribes regard each other more or less as social equals. The Kotas, on the other hand, who are the artisans of the Todas, are regarded by them as social inferiors. The relations with the former may be considered first. [[629]]

FIG. 68 (FROM BREEKS).—THE FIVE TRIBES OF THE NILGIRI HILLS.

Irulas. Badagas. Todas. Kotas. Kurumbas.

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Todas and Badagas

The Todas call a Badaga Mav,[1] which seems to be a form of the Canarese word for father-in-law or maternal uncle. The origin of this term is said to have been that when the Todas first met a Badaga, they asked his name and he answered “Mav.” A Badaga who performs certain services for the palol is called tikelfmav. Certain elders of the Badagas are also called madtin.

Whenever a Toda meets a Badaga monegar (headman) or an old Badaga with whom he is acquainted, a salutation passes between the two which is represented in [Fig. 69]. The Toda stands before the Badaga, inclines his head slightly, and says “Madtin pudia!” (“Madtin, you have come.”) The Badaga replies “Buthuk! buthuk!” (“Blessing, blessing”) and rests his hand on top of the Toda’s head. This greeting only takes place between Todas and the more important of the Badaga community. It would seem that every Badaga headman may be greeted in this way, but a Toda will only greet other Badaga elders if he is already acquainted with them. The salutation is made to members of all the various castes of the Badagas except the Torayas. It has been held to imply that the Todas regard the Badagas as their superiors, but it is doubtful how far this is the case. The Todas themselves say they follow the custom because the Badagas help to support them. It seems to be a mark of respect paid by the Todas to the elders of a tribe with which they have very close relations, and it is perhaps significant that no similar sign of respect is shown to Toda elders by the Badagas.