CHEGO, a race in Malabar, who seem to be noticed by Wilson as the Chegavan or Chekavan, and whom he describes as a man of low caste, commonly a Pair, one whose occupation is draw ing toddy. The tradition is that the Cbego came originally from Ceylon, where they belonged to the military caste. The Chego say that in the time of Cheraw Perumal, a washerwoman, whose house adjoined that of an Ajari (carpenter), being occupied as usual in washing a cloth in water mixed with ashes, and having no one at hand to hold the other end of it, called to a young daughter of the Ajari, who was alone in the house, to assist her. The child, not knowing that this was an infringement of the laws of her caste, did as she was requested, and then went home. The washerwoman was emboldened by this affair to enter the Ajari's house a few days afterwards, and upon the latter demanding angrily how she dared to cross his threshold, the woman answered scornfully that he belonged now to the same caste as she did, since her daughter had helped to hold her cloth. The Ajari, learning the disgrace that had befallen him, killed the washerwoman. Upon this her friends complained to Cheraw Perumal, who espoused their cause, and threatened the carpenters, whereupon the latter combined together to take refuge in Ceylon, where they were favourably received by the king of Kandy. Cheram Perumal begged the king of Kandy to send them back, promising to do them no injury.
The Ajari did not place entire confidence in these promises, but asked the king to send with them two Chego and their wives, to witness Cheram Peru mars conduct towards them, and to protect them. The king granted their request, with the stipula tion that on all occasions, such as weddings and deaths and other ceremonies, the Ajari should bestow three measures of rice on each of these Chego and their descendants, as a tribute for this protection,—a custom which still exists. If the Ajari is too poor to afford the outlay, he is still obliged to present the requisite quantity of rice, which is then given back to him again,—the rights of the Chego being thus maintained. From these two couples all the Chego of Malabar are said to be descended. This caste comes next below that of the Sudra, but is considered much less honourable. In times of civil war or rebellion, the Chego are bound to take up arms for the law ful sovereign ; and some princes employed them as soldiers on other occasions, if they had not a sufficient force of Nairs. Their principal occupa tion is that of drawing cocoanut toddy, which is compulsory on their caste. The Chego are sub divided into two castes, the Chego and the Twen Chego.