Various exogamous septs or bamsams occur among the Ghasis, of which naga (cobra), asvo (horse), chintala (tamarind), and liari (parched rice) may be noted. Adult marriage is the rule. The betrothal ceremony, at which the kanyo mulo, or bride-price, is paid, is the occasion of a feast, at which pork must be served, and the Bissoyi of the future bride's village ties a konti (gold or silver bead) on her neck. The marriage ceremonial corresponds in the main with that of the Haddis elsewhere, but has been to some extent modified by the Telugu environment. The custom, referred to by Mr. S. P. Rice, of suspending an earthen pot filled with water from the marriage booth is a very general one, and not peculiar to the Ghasis. It is an imitation of a custom observed by the higher Oriya castes. The striking of the bridegroom on the back by the bride's brother is the solabidha of other castes, and the mock anger (rusyano) in which the latter goes away corresponds to the alagi povadam of Telugu castes. At the first menstrual ceremony of a Ghasi girl, she sits in a space enclosed by four arrows, round which a thread is passed seven times. The name Odiya Toti (Oriya scavenger) occurs as a Tamil synonym for Haddis employed as scavengers in Municipalities in the Tamil country. Hajam.--The Hindustani name for a barber, and used as a general professional title by barbers of various classes. It is noted, in the Census Reports, that only fifteen out of more than two thousand individuals returned as Hajam were Muhammadans, and that, in South Canara, Hajams are Konkani Kelasis, and of Marathi descent. Halaba.--See Pentiya. Halavakki.--A Canarese synonym for Budubudukala. Halepaik.--The Halepaiks are Canarese toddy-drawers, who are found in the northern taluks of the South Canara district. The name is commonly derived from hale, old, and paika, a soldier, and it is said that they were formerly employed as soldiers. There is a legend that one of their ancestors became commander of the Vijayanagar army, was made ruler of a State, and given a village named Halepaikas as a jaghir (hereditary assignment of land). Some Halepaiks say that they belong to the Tengina (cocoanut palm) section, because they are engaged in tapping that palm for toddy. There is intermarriage between the Canarese-speaking Halepaiks and the Tulu-speaking Billava toddy-drawers, and, in some places, the Billavas also call themselves Halepaiks. The Halepaiks have exogamous septs or balis, which run in the female line. As examples of these, the following may be noted:--