Note 4 — Chapter XXVII · RELATIONS WITH OTHER TRIBES

The contribution of grain from the Badagas has usually been regarded as given in return for the use of the land, the Todas being supposed to be the original owners of the soil. That this is not the whole explanation is shown by the fact that the Badagas also give a tribute of grain to two other Nilgiri tribes, the Kotas and Kurumbas. Harkness4 was told by the Badagas that the portion given to the ti was in return for the prayers of the palol, and that they did not believe that “their crops or their cattle, themselves or their children, would prosper without his blessing.” The Badagas also stated that they generally desisted from cultivating their fields when the ti was left without a palol. They looked on the tribute of grain to the Todas as given of their own good will, while a similar tribute to the Kurumbas was dictated by fear of the consequences of sorcery which might be employed if the duty were neglected.