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Sambandam
Sambandam was the traditional marriage practiced by Nambudiris, Nairs, Samantha Kshatriya and Ambalavasis among their own communities as well as with each other, in Kerala, India. "Sambandham" was derived from the Sanskrit words "Sama" meaning "equal" and "Bandham" meaning "alliance." Practice Samanthan, Nairs and Ambalavasi Sambantham was one of the marriage traditions among the traditional matrilineal castes. Women of Samanthan, Nairs and Ambalavasi castes could marry men within their own community or from ritually higher ranked Brahmin (Nambudiri caste). This practice was prevalent among the wealthy royal families of Kerala. Nambuthiri Brahmins Nambuthiri Brahmins, in particular, followed specific marriage customs. Only the eldest son of a Nambuthiri Brahmin family could marry within his own community, while others could marry from the Kshatriya or equivalent. They are allowed to marry women only from royal families, the highest subcaste of Nair, and Ambalavasi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nambudiris
The Nambudiri (), also transliterated as Nampoothiri, Nambūdiri, Namboodiri, Namboothiri, Namboodri, Namboori, and Nampūtiri, are a Malayali Brahmin caste, native to what is now the state of Kerala, India, where they constituted part of the traditional feudal elite. Headed by the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal Samrāṭ, the Nambudiris were the highest ranking caste in Kerala. They owned a large portion of the land in the region of Malabar District, and together with the Nair monarchs of Kerala, the Nambudiris formed the landed aristocracy known as the Jenmimar, until the Kerala Land Reforms starting in 1957. The Nambudiris have traditionally lived in ancestral homes known as Illams and have been described by anthropologist Joan Mencher as, "A wealthy, aristocratic landed caste of the highest ritual and secular rank." Venerated as the carriers of the Sanskrit language and ancient Vedic culture, the Nambudiris held more power and authority than the kings and were "above and o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Malabar Marriage Act, 1896
In 1896, the government of Madras passed the Malabar Marriage Act in response to the recommendations of the Malabar Marriage Commission of 1891. This allowed members of any caste practising '' marumakkatayam'' ( matriliny) in Malabar to register a '' sambandham'' as a marriage Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b .... It was permissive rather than restrictive law: whether or not a relationship was registered was entirely the decision of the people involved in that relationship. Initiated by the work of Sir C. Sankaran Nair, the measure was largely a failure, with Panikkar noting that in the 20 years following introduction of the Act only six such relationships were registered and that all of those involved family members of Nair himself. Sambandham and marumakkatayam ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kerala Society
Kerala ( , ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South Canara, and Travancore. Spread over , Kerala is the 14th smallest Indian state by area. It is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west. With 33 million inhabitants as per the 2011 census, Kerala is the 13th-largest Indian state by population. It is divided into 14 districts with the capital being Thiruvananthapuram. Malayalam is the most widely spoken language and is also the official language of the state. The Chera dynasty was the first prominent kingdom based in Kerala. The Ay kingdom in the deep south and the Ezhimala kingdom in the north formed the other kingdoms in the early years of the Common Era (CE). The region had been a prominent spice exporter si ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Surnames Of Indian Origin
In many societies, a surname, family name, or last name is the mostly hereditary portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family. It is typically combined with a given name to form the full name of a person, although several given names and surnames are possible in the full name. In modern times most surnames are hereditary, although in most countries a person has a right to change their name. Depending on culture, the surname may be placed either at the start of a person's name, or at the end. The number of surnames given to an individual also varies: in most cases it is just one, but in Portuguese-speaking countries and many Spanish-speaking countries, two surnames (one inherited from the mother and another from the father) are used for legal purposes. Depending on culture, not all members of a family unit are required to have identical surnames. In some countries, surnames are modified depending on gender and family membership status of a person. Compound surn ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Indian Castes
The caste system in India is the paradigmatic ethnographic instance of social classification based on castes. It has its origins in Outline of ancient India, ancient India, and was transformed by various ruling elites in medieval India, medieval, early-modern, and modern India, especially in the aftermath of the collapse of the Mughal Empire and the establishment of the British Raj. Beginning in ancient India, the caste system was originally centered around ''Varna (Hinduism), varna'', with ''Brahmin, Brahmins'' (priests) and, to a lesser extent, Kshatriya, ''Kshatriyas'' (rulers and warriors) serving as the elite classes, followed by ''Vaishya, Vaishyas'' (traders, merchants, and farmers) and finally ''Shudra, Shudras'' (labourers). Outside of this system are the oppressed, marginalised, and persecuted ''Dalit, Dalits'' (also known as "Untouchability, Untouchables") and ''Adivasi, Adivasis'' (tribals). Over time, the system became increasingly rigid, and the emergence of ''J� ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aliyasantana
Aliyasantana, literally "nephew or niece as heir" in Tulu, is the matrilineal system of inheritance practiced by Tuluva community in the Tulunaad region of Karnataka, India. It is similar to the ''Marumakkathayam'' system of the Kerala. Nephew here means son of one's sister (brother's son is not considered as the heir). Origins Myth of origin According to the Keralolpathi, a text by the Nambuthiri Brahmin community, it mentions that Kerala Perumal, a Kshatriya prince from medieval Kerala, migrated to the Tulu region via boat. He settled there, married a Jain princess, and introduced the Aliya Santana to them. This narrative highlights the historical connections and cultural exchanges between Kerala and the Tulu region during that period. Another popular belief in Tulunadu is that it had its source in the law promulgated by Bhūtāla-Pāndya, the sovereign prince who ruled this country at one time and that it was introduced by him. The popular version of it is contained in t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nair Ceremonies And Customs
There are numerous ceremonies and customs adopted by the Nair caste, which is prominent in the South Indian state of Kerala. Ceremonial art forms Kalarippayattu Kalarippayattu training is undertaken by every youth of the Nair community. The practice was established by Parashuraman, Durga, and Bhadrakali. Shri Kallanthattil Gurukkal (a Nampoothiri Brahmin), King Marthanda Varma, Shri Pazhassiraja, Guru of Kallanthattil Gurukkal (Kolathiri rajah) all learned kalarippayattu. Kalaripayattu is commonly practiced among Savarna castes of Kerala. However, later it is also start learned other communities includes Muslims, Christians, Ezhavas and Nadars, despite their pacifism. Kathakali Kathakali is a dance-drama which portrays scenes from Hindu epics or stories. It is a classical dance form of Kerala demanding long years of training. Believed to have evolved from ''Ramanattam'', another classical art form composed by Kottarakkara Thampuran, Kathakali incorporates the techniques o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Malayali Brahmins
Malayali Brahmins (; also known as Malayala Brahmanar) or Kerala Brahmins are the group of Brahmins from the Indian state of Kerala. The proper Malayali brahmin castes are the Nambudiri, and the Potti. Pushpaka Brahmin, Nambeesan, Nambeeshan, Nambidi, Chakyar, Chakyar, Nambiar (Ambalavasi caste), Nambiar, Ilayathu, Ilyathu, etc., are other semi-Brahmin castes, which are part of the Ambalavasi community. They are not directly involved in priestly duties but rather engaged in non-priestly temple activities. Like ambalavasis, a higher section of Nair, Nairs which includes Pillai (Kerala title), Pillais, Kurup of Travancore, Kurup and Menon (title), Menon comes under semi-brahmin class mostly engaged in Kshatriya functions, administrative duties and control over temples, who have similar rights of Ambalavasi community. References {{India-ethno-stub Malayali Brahmins ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kettu Kalyanam
Kalyanam, also known as , was the name of an elaborate marriage ceremony of the Samanthan, Nair, Maarar, and Ambalavasi communities of the southern Indian state of Kerala. The customs varied from region to region and caste to caste. In some places among higher class Nairs in North Malabar, Travancore and Cochin, a Malayali Brahmin (Nambudiri or Potti) is invited for this purpose of tying the Tali and perform rituals. In South Malabar, a person who belongs to the same caste or Thirumulpad, or Pattar (Tamil Brahmin) is invited to act as bridegroom for this purpose. The customs varied from region to region and caste to caste. might take place only if the bride had already had this elaborate ritual mock-marriage known as . The is ceremonial only, for after the rituals the groom returns to his house, never to meet the bride again. In some parts of Malabar immediately after the ceremony, a formal divorce is constituted, whereas in other areas the groom enters into with the girl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kshatriya
Kshatriya () (from Sanskrit ''kṣatra'', "rule, authority"; also called Rajanya) is one of the four varnas (social orders) of Hindu society and is associated with the warrior aristocracy. The Sanskrit term ''kṣatriyaḥ'' is used in the context of later Vedic society wherein members were organised into four classes: ''brahmin'', kshatriya, '' vaishya,'' and '' shudra''. History Early Rigvedic tribal monarchy The administrative machinery in Vedic India was headed by a tribal king called a Rajan whose position may or may not have been hereditary. The king may have been elected in a tribal assembly (called a Samiti), which included women. The Rajan protected the tribe and cattle; was assisted by a priest; and did not maintain a standing army, though in the later period the rulership appears to have risen as a social class. The concept of the fourfold varna system is not yet recorded. Later Vedic period The hymn '' Purusha Sukta'' in the ''Rigveda'' describes the symbolic crea ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nairs
The Nair (, ) also known as Nayar, are a group of Indian Hindu castes, described by anthropologist Kathleen Gough as "not a unitary group but a named category of castes". The Nair include several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom historically bore the name 'Nair'. Fuller (1975) p. 309 These people lived, and many continue to live, in the area which is now the Indian state of Kerala. Their internal caste behaviours and systems are markedly different between the people in the northern and southern sections of the area, although there is not very much reliable information on those inhabiting the north. Fuller (1975) p. 284 Historically, Nairs lived in large family units called ''tharavads'' that housed descendants of one common female ancestor. These family units along with their unusual marriage customs, which are no longer practiced, have been much studied. Although the detail varied from one region to the next, the main points of interest to researchers of Nair marri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Royal Family
A royal family is the immediate family of monarchs and sometimes their extended family. The term imperial family appropriately describes the family of an emperor or empress, and the term papal family describes the family of a pope, while the terms baronial family, comital family, ducal family, archducal family, grand ducal family, or princely family are more appropriate to describe, respectively, the relatives of a reigning baron, count/earl, duke, archduke, grand duke, or prince. However, in common parlance members of any family which reigns by hereditary right are often referred to as royalty or "royals". It is also customary in some circles to refer to the extended relations of a deposed monarch and their descendants as a royal family. A dynasty is sometimes referred to as the "House of ...". In July 2013 there were 26 active sovereign dynasties in the world that ruled or reigned over 43 monarchies. Members of a royal family A royal family typically includes the spo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
