For the following note on the Razus of the Godavari district, I am indebted to Mr. F. R. Hemingway. "They say they are Kshatriyas, wear the sacred thread, have Brahmanical gotras, decline to eat with other non-Brahmans, and are divided into the three classes, Surya (sun), Chandra (moon), and Machi (fish). Of these, the first claim to be descended from the kings of Oudh, and to be of the same lineage as Rama; the second, from the kings of Hastinapura, of the same line as the Pandavas; and the third, from Hanuman (the monkey god) and a mermaid. Their women observe a very strict rule of gosha, and this is said to be carried so far that a man may not see his younger brother's wife, even if she is living in the same house, without violating the gosha rule. The betrothal ceremony is called nirnaya bhojanam, or meal of settlement. Written contracts of marriage (subha reka) are exchanged. The wedding is performed at the bride's house. At the pradanam ceremony, no bonthu (turmeric thread) is tied round the bride's neck. The bridegroom has to wear a sword throughout the marriage ceremonies, and he is paraded round the village with it before they begin. The gosha rule prevents his womenfolk from attending the marriage, and the bride has to wear a veil. The ceremonies, unlike those of other castes, are attended with burnt offerings of rice, etc. Among other castes, the turmeric-dyed thread (kankanam), which is tied round the wrists of the contracting couple, is of cotton; among the Razus it is of wool and cotton. The Razus are chiefly employed in cultivation. Some of them are said to attain no small proficiency in Telugu and Sanskrit scholarship. Zamindars of this caste regard Kali as their patron deity. The Razus of Amalapuram specially adore Lakshmi. Some peculiarities in their personal appearance may be noted. Their turbans are made to bunch out at the left side above the ear, and one end hangs down behind. They do not shave any part of their heads, and allow long locks to hang down in front of the ears."