Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-01-05

VIII Neither Hunt Nor work ana
Who Are Proud of Their Reputa-
tion For Downright Incidence.
In these days of push and energy it
sounds strange to talk of people as be-
ing lazy, and still the Todas, hill
tribe of India, are the LATEST people in
the world.
The Todas are not ashamed of their
reputation and are free to confess that
they know of nothing so foolish and
stupid as work. Their one and only
pursuit is the raising of buffaloes. They
are far too indolent to follow the chase
An AK is their only weapon, although
they know how to make others. They
use this for waging war and for fell
ing trees. They will not till the land,
considering this unnecessary labor. To
make housekeeping easier all their nat
ural products are held in common. The
idea of property is only restricted to
the hut, its contents and live stock.
The buffaloes, which they own in
large quantities, furnish them with
skins for clothing and the hut, and the
meat is used as food. But milk Is
their principal diet. They do not even
relish the idea of milking their cattle.
The head mixers are the only ones
that are to be persuaded to do this Ia
Dor. These men are chosen from the
class of "peiki," or "sons OF God"
They are the priests and practice celib-
acy. Although the priests tend to the
cattle, each householder owns his cat
tie.
Much as these men dislike the caring
for their cattle, they find farming a
less dignifed calling. Some years ago
they went to war with their neighbors,
the Badaga and Kotas, as they might
be able to levy Il tax Of one-eighth on
their grain products. When their grain
grows scarce they live on roots and
berries. They will sell their land or
give it away, but they will not culti-
vate it mt any price.
The building of bamboo huts does not
interest them any more than the culti-
waiting of the soil, and they make this
task easy by making the boys cut the
bamboo and their wives build the huts.
1t Is not unusual for three families to
share one abode. The men are often
so lazy that they cannot afford one wife
alone, but even this does not worry
them. Two or three brothers manage
to support one wife. Indolent and
slothful, they sit listless for hours, I'M
concerned about all things. What they
know they know well. They are intel
ligent within certain narrow limits, but
they are too lazy to increase their store
of knowledge. Whatever has to be
done must be cared for by the women
and children.
+ Strangely, their appearance does not
disclose this most marked Characters
tic. They are tall and well proportion
ed. They look like Roman senators as
they walk wrapped in skins resembling
the ancient toga. Their appearance is
not only prepossessing, but bold and
self reliant.
Many an amusing story is told of this
small hill tribe, numbering about 400
men. An American missionary was
working among them when one day he
saw some women and boys building
a hut of bamboo. He inquired why the
men We're not performing this labor,
and one woman explained, Husband
mine don't work; me and boys build
house"
The missionary made no further COM
ment, but when the hut was built he
told the husband that he must build
another hut, as he could not live in
home made by women and children.
But the surprised Toda answered: "No,
no. Me no work. Man has boys and
wife to work"
The Toda meant what he said. AL
though the missionary argued and final
ly horsewhipped the native, he could
not get him to build n hut.
An equally amusing story is told by
an English officer. He was so taken
hy the handsome appearance of one Of
the natives he wanted to take him to
England and place him in his own regi-
ment. The officer gave the native
skins and silks until the Toda prom
ised to become an English soldier. He
was delighted with the officers bright,
gay uniform. lie did not feel bad
about leaving his country, his wife and
children, but when lie was told that
soldiers work he said:
"AIc no lie an English soldier; me be
Toda. Me 10 work; Inc no like work"
When the English officer tried to per-
suade him he made answer: Take
wife and boys; they be English sol
dicr5-!ikc work. Ne stay home and
rest; me be Toda. ."-Chicago Tribune.
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