Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c18.s1.86

v2.c18.s1.86

"To the corners of these bands their waist cloths are attached, when they wish to fasten them in their clasps, and all so tight that it gives them great pain. Besides this they carry heavy iron chains on their necks and waists. Their bodies and face are smeared with ashes. They carry a small horn or trumpet, on which they blow, and whithersoever they come they call out and demand food, more especially at the houses of worship, or those of kings, or great Lords. They go about in bands, like the Egyptians with us, nor is it their custom to abide long in one place, but a few days only. These men are called *Jogues* or Coamerques, which is as much as to say 'servants of God.'"¹