Tulu Gowda
Tulu Gowda and Arebhashe Gowda are a community primarily found in South Canara District, Kodagu District, Indian state of Karnataka and Bandadka village of Kasaragod. They are officially considered a subsect of the Vokkaliga community but are culturally and linguistically different. They speak Tulu and Arebhashe.
History
They were originally called Natha Pantha and Shaivas, owing allegiance to Sringeri Matha. During Emperor Vishnuvardhana’s rule, they became Vaishnavites and worshiped Tirupati Venkataramana and Sabbakka. They then settled in the Mangalore-Udupi region where they spoke the Tulu language. They are said to have 10 Kutumba and 18 Bari as their primordial root families, from which a Nūru Mane or "hundred families" arose. They then migrated to Coorg from the Mangalore-Udupi region, to settle among the Canarese speaking peoples.Community system
They have a somewhat elaborate system of caste government. In every village there are two headmen, the Grāma Gowda and the ottu Gauda. For every group of eight or nine villages there is another head called the Māganē Gauda, and for every nine Māganēs there is a yet higher authority called the Kattēmanēyava.Domestic culture
Marriage system
The caste is divided into eighteen baris or balis, which are of the usual exogamous character, same bari men, women not to marry, they belong to close cousins.In Dakshina Kannada both the groups of Gowdas Tulu and 'Arebhashe' prepare meat or any Non Vegetarian food during marriage and Gruhaprevesha through Ūra gauḍa for Girls Mutheidegu. Oora Gowda thus collects such offering during the Marriages held under his jurisdiction and hands over the same to Maagane Gowda and through him to Kattemane. Kattemane Gowda takes it over to Guru Matha once in a year and seeks blessings from Maṭhādhipati on behalf of married couple. Oora Gowda occupies an important position in all JEEVANAVARTHANA PRACTICES of Tulu Gowdas of Puttur region. In his absence Othu Gowda takes over his responsibility. Gowdas follow Patrilineal succession procedure. Eldest male member in the Joint family is the Head of the family. Ūra gauḍa of the village is nominated by Kattemane Head. In all functions starting from "Veelya Shastra" up to the marriage the Ūra gauḍa recites an Invocation and Declaration in loud voice which states as
;Transliteration in Tulu
;In English:
At this moment the gathered relatives and public will declare their assent saying "Edde Karyo Panpere". This Declaration is the same as the recital in Sullia and Kodagu region which is in Kannada. Here the reference to "Aramane and Gurumane" is essentially to royalty of Ikkeri and Sringeri Mathadhipathies respectively.
Generally, there is no 'Dowry' system among Gowda clan on the other hand Boys father offers a Kanya shulka to the girls' parents a sum of ₹16¼.