Religion Toda people

a toda temple in muthunadu mund near ooty, india.



photograph (1871-72) of toda green funeral.

according todas, goddess teikirshy , brother first created sacred buffalo , first toda man. first toda woman created right rib of first toda man. many rites feature buffalo, milk , other products form basis of diet.

the toda religion exalted high-class men holy milkmen, giving them sacred status priests of holy dairy. according frazer in 1922 (see quote below golden bough, holy milkman prohibited walking across bridges while in office. had ford rivers foot, or swimming. people prohibited wearing shoes or type of foot covering.

toda temples constructed in circular pit lined stones. similar in appearance , construction toda huts. women not allowed enter or go close these huts designated temples.

from frazer s golden bough, 1922:

among todas of southern india holy milkman, acts priest of sacred dairy, subject variety of irksome , burdensome restrictions during whole time of incumbency, may last many years. must live @ sacred dairy , may never visit home or ordinary village. must celibate; if married must leave wife. on no account may ordinary person touch holy milkman or holy dairy; such touch defile holiness forfeit office. on 2 days week, namely mondays , thursdays, mere layman may approach milkman; on other days if has business him, must stand @ distance (some quarter of mile) , shout message across intervening space. further, holy milkman never cuts hair or pares nails long holds office; never crosses river bridge, wades through ford , fords; if death occurs in clan, may not attend of funeral ceremonies, unless first resigns office , descends exalted rank of milkman of mere common mortal. indeed appears in old days had resign seals, or rather pails, of office whenever member of clan departed life. however, these heavy restraints laid in entirety on milkmen of highest class .