| 1.2 Yerava groups |
|
There are some discrepancies regarding the groups of
Yeravas or types of Yeravas. Richter (1887), Krishna
Iyer (1948) and Subbayya (1978) list four types of Yeravas
in Kodagu district. They are Paniya, Panjiri, Kaag(j)i
and Badava Yeravas. The 1871 Cencus lists two, Paniya
and Panjiri, the 1881 Census aslo lists tow Paniya and
Panjiri with eight and twelve exogamous sections respectively. |
| In order to find out the exact
number of groups of Yeravas and their names and to collet
information on them, the present investigator mad extensive
tours of South Kodagu. He failed to locate a single Kaag(j)i
Yerava. It seems that Kaag(j)i Yeravas are not there in
the south Kodagu. Even if they are there their number
should be very small. Similarly he could not locate the
Badava Yeravas. But he found Panjiri yeravas being identified
as Badava Yeravas by most of the Kodavas and identified
as Panjiri Yeravas by self and by Paniya Yeravas. Hence,
it may be said that Panjiri Yerava and Badava Yerava are
synoymous. |
| So, in South Kodagu only two
groups of Yeravas, Paniya and Panjiri are there. The investigator
chose the Paniya Yerava for detailed study and at times
and wherever necessary, information regarding language
and ethnography of Panjiri Yeravas was also sought and
provided in the dissertation. |
|
| 1.2.1 Informants |
| The linguistic and ethnographic
data for the present investigation is collected from the
following informants. |
| Paniya
Yerava: |
Sri
Bolka |
45
years |
Santapura |
| |
Sri
Kariya |
55
years |
Santapura |
| |
Sri
Bera |
45
years |
Santapura |
| |
Sri
Kaaku |
40
years |
Kakuru |
| |
|
|
|
| Panjiri
Yerava: |
Sri
Thirunada |
55
years |
Chikkiri |
| |
Sri
Kashi |
32
years |
Chikkiri |
|
| Only Sri Bolka and Sri Kashi
are literates. All the informants know Kodagu and Kannada
in addition to their 'tongue' and are from Srimangala
Nad. |
