The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c6.11.7

v1.c6.11.7

On occasions of public feasts, I understand from Bābu Candraśekhara Banurji, for a long time Deputy Collector of Cuttack, these people observe peculiar customs unknown to their neighbours. They spread a large mat made of the root of the *benà* or *khaskhas*, and heap thereon a quantity of a kind of baked rice called *hurum*. Everybody present, whether rich or poor, great or low, must sit around this heap, and eat a handful of it before partaking of any other food. Although Hindus by profession they have no caste distinction, and the four different tribes into which they are divided intermarry without offence. These tribes are severally known as, 1st *dahi-kalasā*, owners of the curd-jar, or men who rear cattle and sell curds; 2nd *pendākalasā*, keepers of gruel jar or, men who live on sour gruel; 3rd, *śūkaralachā*, or swine-herds; and 4th *benatiyā*, or dwellers in *khaskhas* bushes but their common designation is *Oḍ* or *Oḍ-cāṣā*, and we cannot but accept them as the remnants of the original inhabitants who gave their name to the province.