Every Day Life on a Ceylon Cocoa Estate by Mary E. Steuart

I have just met a curious procession of coolies going to one of their Saami places, evidently to perform some act of devotion. This sacred place is in a nook between the projecting roots of a huge banian tree, and the spot is always kept carefully swept. I happened to be walking near and seeing the procession behind me, motioned them to pass, no coolie will pass his "Dorei" or "Dorei Sani" without permission to do so. First came a man carrying an oil bottle, then another bearing aloft a basket shaped like a round straw hassock, on this was a coil of twisted wet white cloth like the coils of a serpent, a third had a long tile filled with wood ashes still alight, whilst a fourth carried a plantain leaf. They were followed by a few more coolies, these being empty handed. I was sorely tempted to climb up a little knoll to watch the proceedings, but on second thoughts, I came to the conclusion that to do so would be an act of impertinent intrusion on my part, which would probably vex them; for, however mistaken they may be, these visits to the Saami places are to them real acts of devotion, to which they attach much importance; a Saami oath being as binding on them, as our most solemn oaths are on us.

The head Kangany who went to India to marry his daughter has returned, having accomplished his mission quite to his satisfaction. To show that some really reliable natives are to be found, though I grieve to say they are the exceptions, I may mention that he arrived on the evening of the very day he had fixed six weeks ago. We were in hopes that he would bring with him some additional coolies, and especially a few of low caste who would condescend to carry our "beef box" and occasionally fill gaps about the bungalow. But there is so much work at present in his part of India (Travancore) in opening up new coffee and tea estates, that he failed tO persuade anyone to come to Ceylon. The dearth on Raneetotem of pariah coolies causes us continual perplexity, for none but they will act as kitchen coolie, or as horse-keeper, or fetch our meat supplies. This very day we were in absolute danger of famine, for the man who usually takes the "beef box" has hurt his leg, two other pariahs were engaged on necessary Estate work, and the fourth has run away to shirk holing; so there was no one left to undertake this very necessary duty without breaking caste, a thing not to be thought of for a moment. At last the difficulty was solved by taking a man from the work he was already doing, and we hope to have our supplies in time for an eight o'clock dinner. This system of caste complicates not only work, but also marriages, for the girls are absolutely compelled to marry into exactly the same caste as their own family. It also causes trouble in sickness, for however weak the invalid, he or she will eat nothing cooked by our servants or in our kitchen. On a friend's Estate a poor woman was absolutely dying of exhaustion having been ordered by the doctor a more nourishing diet, my friend begged to be allowed to send her jelly and chicken broth; she emphatically refused, but on great pressure being brought to bear she at last consented, on condition that the lady cooked all the food herself, in brand new saucepans, that had never previously been used. This was accordingly done, and the poor woman's life was saved.