Description
This seminal ethnographic work provides an in-depth exploration of the Toda people, a primitive tribe inhabiting the Nilgiri Hills of South India. William E. Marshall offers a detailed examination of their history, character, and social customs, presenting a comprehensive view of their way of life during the period of study.
The book addresses distinctive aspects of Toda society including their polyandrous marriage systems, religious beliefs, and the controversial practice of infanticide. Marshall provides linguistic analysis with outlines of Toda grammar, making this work valuable for anthropologists and linguists. The study combines historical narrative with ethnographic observation, offering insights into tribal social structures, familial relationships, and cultural practices.
Originally published in the 19th century, this text remains a significant contribution to anthropological literature and South Indian studies, documenting a unique indigenous culture and its traditions.
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