LAI3BAY, a Muhammadan race in large num bers on the eastern coast, chiefly between Pulicat on the north and Negapatam on the south, their headquarters being at Nagor, near Negapatam, the burial-place of their patron saint, Nagor Miran Sahib, to whose shrine numerous pilgrimages are made by the tribe. The prevailing belief is that, like the Moplah of the western coast, they are descendants of Arab merchants and the women of the south of India. They are Muhammadans, and practise circumcision. Physically, they are good looking, tall, well made, and robust, are sometimes inclined to obesity, of light complexion and well developed limbs, not unlike the Moplah of the western coast in their general configuration. The cranium is singularly and strikingly small ; the eyes ars slightly oblique, and not wanting in expression ; cheek-bones prominent ; lower jaw large and heavy ; beard in some instances full and long, but in most cases decidedly sparse. They generally wear the loongi, a cloth loosely wrapped round the waist and extending below the knees ; they also wear bright-coloured jackets, occasion ally turbands ; the most frequent head-gear being a skull-cap, fitting closely to a shaved head. They live freely on animals and vegetables, making use of all kinds of flesh meats, saving pork, for which Muhammadans have a religious abhorrence. Their language is Tamil, though some talk a little llindustani. They are exceedingly industrious and enterprising in their habits and pursuits, there being hardly a trade or calling in which they do not try to succeed. They make persevering
fishermen and good boatmen. They are lapidaries, weavers, dyers, mat-makers, jewellers, gardeners, bazarmen, grocers, boat-makers, boat and ship owners, and merchants, and as regards the leather and horn trade, they excel as merchants. There are few classes of natives in Southern India who, in energy, industry, and perseverance, can com pete with the Labbay. Tho Labbay of Tinne velly arc said to be descendants of Arab traders, who settled in the sea-coast towns some three or four centuries ago, and formed connections with the lower caste Tamil women.
Tho Labbay have obtained this tribal designation from their use, in conversation, of the Arabic word Labek, meaning I beg your pardon, or the plait-il of the French. They speak Tamil, into which they have translated the Koran. In Travancore they are called Methan and Jonagar. The former word means a convert, and the latter seems to mean a foreigner, but is also said to be Jonakan, a dialectal variation of the Grecian Yavana. The title is prefixed to their names. In Madras, in 1870, only four or five of their women could read the Koran, but they are all good sempstresses and mat-weavers.—Drs. Bilderbeck and Wilson in Mad. Govt. Pro. See Labek.