Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c7.71

c7.71

Speaking of the difference in costume of the classes, Knox says of the ‘Hondrews’ (goviyō): “These are distinguished from others by their names, and the wearing of their cloth, which the Men wear down half their Legs, and the Women to their Heels: one end of which Cloth the Women fling over their Shoulders, and with the very end carelesly cover their Breasts; whereas the other sort of Women must go naked from the wast upwards, and their Cloaths not hang down much below their Knees: except it be for cold; for then either Women or Men may throw their Cloth over their Backs. But then they do excuse it to the Hondrews, when they meet them, saying, Excuse me, it is for warmth. They are distinguished also by their own Countrey Caps, which are of the fashion of Mitres: there are two flaps tied up over the top of the Crown. If they are Hondrews, their Caps are all of one Colour, either White or Blew: if of inferior quality, then the Cap and the flaps on each side be of different Colours, whereof the Flaps are always Red.”