An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous EscapeKnox, Robert
History
An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape
Knox, Robert
Sri Lanka -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Sri Lanka -- Social life and customs
[Potters] Potters yet more Inferior, may not wear any Doublets, nor
their Cloth much below the Knee, nor sit on Stools, neither will any
eat with them. But they have this Privilege, because they make the
Pots, that when they are athirst being at a Hondrew's House, they may
take his Pot, which hath a Pipe to it, and pour the Water into their
mouths themselves: which none other of these inferior degrees may be
admitted to do: but they must hold their hands to their mouths and
gape, and the Hondrews themselves will pour the Water in. The Potters
were at first denied this Honour, upon which they joyntly agreed to
make Pots with Pipes only for themselves, and would sell none to the
Hondrews that wanted; whereat being constrained, they condescended to
grant them the Honour above other inferior People, that they should
have the favour to drink out of these Pots with spouts at their Houses.
[Washers.] The next are the Ruddaughs, Washers. Of these there are
great Numbers. They wash Cloths for all People to the degree of a
Potter; but for none below that degree. Their usual Posture is to
carry a Cloth on their Shoulder, both Men and Women: They use Lye
in their washing, setting a Pot over the Fire holding seven or eight
Gallons of Water, and lay the foul Cloths on the top; and the steam
of the water goes into the Cloths and scalds them. Then they take
them and carry them to a River side, and instead of rubbing them with
their hands, slap them against the Rock, and they become very clean;
nor doth this tear the Cloths at all, as they order it.
[Jaggory-Makers.] Another rank after these are the Hungrams, or
Jaggory-Makers. Tho none will eat with them, yet it is lawful to
buy and eat the Jaggory they make, (which is a kind of Sugar) but
nothing else.
[The Poddah.] Another sort among them is the Poddah. These are of no
Trade or Craft, but are Husbandmen and Soldiers, yet are inferior to
all that have been named hitherto. For what reason neither I, nor,
I think, themselves can tell: only thus it falls to them by Succession
from their Predecessors, and so will ever remain.
[Weavers.] After these are the Weavers. Who beside their Trade,
which is Weaving Cloth, are Astrologers, and tell the People good
Days and good Seasons: and at the Birth of a Child write for them an
account of the day, time and Planet, it was born in and under. These
accounts they keep with great Care all their Life-time: by which they
know their Age, and what success or evil shall befall them.
These People also beat Drums, and play on Pipes, and dance in the
Temples of their Gods, and at their Sacrifices; they eat and carry
away all such Victuals as are offered to their Idols. Both which to
do and take, is accounted to belong to People of a very low degree
and quality. These also will eat dead Cows.
[Basket-Makers.] Next to the Weavers are the Kiddeas or
Basket-Makers. Who make Fans to fan Corn, and Baskets of Canes,
and Lace, Bedsteds and Stools.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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