371
other than B. arnee which remains in India, has seen distribution to nearly every
continent, where they are subjected to three human fixations: dairy, meat, and draft.
Clearly, with children in many parts of Asia, Bubalus is also perceived as part of the
family, a companion animal. Many of the breeds—for all of their size (they can
approach 2700 pounds) and mythic ferocity, easily capable “of fighting off a tiger”
36
(this quality not surprisingly first pointed out by British sportsmen for whom Toda
buffaloes were one of their prized targets)—are also known to be incredibly gentle,
docile, and loving to humans. This is especially the case with the Toda, the only
known culture in the world to worship them (both the sacred and domestic herds
into which the animals, for countless reasons, are designated) to the extent that they
fully consider the buffalo to be one of them, indeed, the direct link to a spiritual
Otherworld (Fig. 41.3).
41.6 The Worship of Buffalo
The buffalo also provides a powerful segue for many of the Todas into the realms of
other species, including snakes and tigers, all considered sacred. In fact, reptiles
“are regarded as both protectors and preservers of dairy-temple sanctity”; while
36 ibid., p. 100.
Fig. 41.3 Toda Buffaloes High in the Nilgiris. (Photo © M.C.Tobias)
41.6 The Worship of Buffalo
other than B. arnee which remains in India, has seen distribution to nearly every
continent, where they are subjected to three human fixations: dairy, meat, and draft.
Clearly, with children in many parts of Asia, Bubalus is also perceived as part of the
family, a companion animal. Many of the breeds—for all of their size (they can
approach 2700 pounds) and mythic ferocity, easily capable “of fighting off a tiger”
36
(this quality not surprisingly first pointed out by British sportsmen for whom Toda
buffaloes were one of their prized targets)—are also known to be incredibly gentle,
docile, and loving to humans. This is especially the case with the Toda, the only
known culture in the world to worship them (both the sacred and domestic herds
into which the animals, for countless reasons, are designated) to the extent that they
fully consider the buffalo to be one of them, indeed, the direct link to a spiritual
Otherworld (Fig. 41.3).
41.6 The Worship of Buffalo
The buffalo also provides a powerful segue for many of the Todas into the realms of
other species, including snakes and tigers, all considered sacred. In fact, reptiles
“are regarded as both protectors and preservers of dairy-temple sanctity”; while
36 ibid., p. 100.
Fig. 41.3 Toda Buffaloes High in the Nilgiris. (Photo © M.C.Tobias)
41.6 The Worship of Buffalo