Mss Eur G91(235f)

Genre: Ethnographical Photography

Full-length seated portrait of the Coorg man seen in print 235d, surrounded by five members of his family. This portrait also appears in Watson & Kaye's 'The People of India' (vol. 8, 1875), plate 426 (see Photo 972/8 (426)), captioned 'Coorgs': 'The group represented is of Mattana, Soobadar of Mercara, and his younger relatives...The dress of the Coorgs is becoming, and very well adapted to the cold and wet climate of the province. The men wear a long white or blue coat, held together by a red sash, in which the never-failing Coorg knife is inserted. The head is covered with a kerchief or turban. The weapons of the armed classes are a small and large knife and a matchlock gun, and their proudest ornament the medal given to them by the British Government for services rendered in 1837 [see prints 235a-b], when quelling an insurrection. In the photograph it is worn by the old Soobadar. The ornament of the young man is called Kokatadi, it is made of gold and jewels and may also be worn by females...The Coorg women are decently dressed. Over a white or light blue jacket is the blue or white sari, tied together over the left shoulder, and a cross bound red kerchief of good size, lightly knotted at the back, forms a pretty head dress. Gold and silver chains, ear rings, nose and finger rings, and bracelets, are the common ornaments...The admirable photographs of Coorg characters are by the Rev. G. Richter, of the Basil Mission, Mercara.'

[Albumen print, 108x132mm].

Subjects = Coorgs (ethnic group); ethnic groups

Location = India; Karnataka; Kodagu District