Photo 972, 8(425)

Genre: Ethnographical Photography

Oval image. Full-length standing group of three figures: 'The persons represented in the group are a father, mother, and daughter; they are Amma Kodagi, or Kaveri Brahmins. They belong to a small sect of Brahmins who reside in the south-western portion of Coorg, and are the indigenous and hereditary priesthood devoted to the worship of Amma, or mother, the goddess Kaveri. Their number does not exceed fifty persons, and they are entirely unlettered, and ignorant of Brahmanical lore, of a quiet, inoffensive character, performing a few ceremonies in connection with the worship of the holy river...The Amma in the photograph wears a blue coat and turban, and a red sash, in which a silver handled knife is worn, with chains and tassels of the same material. His height is five feet six inches. One of the women wears a white, the other a blue, sari, and the usual head, neck, ear, nose, hand, and feet ornaments of gold and silver. The old woman is four feet nine inches in height. Their complexions are rather fair, eyes dark brown, and their hair black and straight.'

Subjects = ethnic groups; Kaveri Brahmins (caste); printed books; Watson and Kaye, 'People of India' (8 vols, 1868-75); Watson and Kaye, 'People of India' (vol 8, 1875)

Location = India; Karnataka; Kodagu District