Namburi

Namburi, a people of the Malabar coast, southwest India, of Dravidian stock and speech, but claiming to be Brahmans, though abhorred by the orthodox Brahmans, who regard them as little better than outcasts because of their matriarchal customs. Owing to the restrictions placed on marriage, they are decreasing; but they still possess great influence over the surrounding populations, on whom they have imposed their social observances sarcastically called the "sixty-four abuses." One of these, however, is a scrupulous adherence to the truth, so that all questions are answered with great deliberation to guard against the least inaccuracy even in the most trivial matters.