YERAVER, predial slaves of the Kodaga pro prietors of Coorg ; tempted by the wages offered by the coffee-planters, they have refused to work for their masters. The peasant masters on one occasion came down in force upon one of the coffee estates where a. party of Yeraver were vvorking, and carried them off. The same state of things existed in Santalistan, where the bonds inen—the nexi or addicti of the Romans—were called Kumea. The railroad offered them work and wages, and 3fr. Yule, the commissioner, at once refused to give decrees on the debt-bonds which their masters filed in court. He went further, and abolished all imprisontnent for debt. The origin of this predial slavery is probably the same. If the Yeraver are bond-debtors, the Coot... will produce the bonds, and the judge may decide as to their legality. Otherwise they are free men. Prior to the British occupation of Coorg (1833), the Yeraver were sold for less than cattle. The British discontinued this state of
thi»gs, but up to the latter part of the 19th century, in those Coorg families amongst whom they are well treated, they remain much as usual, though able to leave when they like. They axe fed, clothed, their marriage expenses paid, and they get small patches of laud on the farms, and they awe reconciled to their position. They often desert, however, and go to the plantations. When the Contract Act came into force, a few made an attempt to niake legal bond slaves of them but the courts protect them, and do not allow 'long contracts. Some Yeraver are a migratory race in Coorg, of middle size, with coarse features, black and straight hair. They are labourers, and are believed to have come from Malabar. Their language is said to resemble Malealam. They worship demons, and have no priests.—Friend of India December 9.