The region of Kerala in India became the caste society very late. One of the last South Indian societies to become agrarian, the communities kept most of their tribal markers intact bringing them to mainstream. These traditional matrilineal communities became endogamous units based on their occupations during medieval period (12th to 15th century). , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... The Indian caste system describes the social stratification and social restrictions in the Indian Subcontinent, in which social classes are defined by thousands of endogamous, hereditary groups often termed as jātis or sub-castes. ... South India is a linguistic-cultural region of India that comprises the four states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the two Union Territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry, whose inhabitants are collectively referred to as South Indians. ...

The development

The present cast system and Malayalam language itself comes around 1000-1200 years ago. The present day keralam before that period was a part of "thamizakam"and the language was "chenthamiz", during"sankakalam" and later cheras,cholas and pandyas were the three prominent rulers of "thamizakam"."muziris" was the most important city of "cherakkam". Uzavar,panner, parayar,parathar(fishermen),kurumber were the main casts of that time, cheras were the ruling class people and they worshipped nagas,amma(devi,amman) deities they were followers of shaktheya shivasim based on tantrics. majority people were uzavas (farmers) and paravans(fishermen)who followed Buddha dharma came through sinhalam(lanka).later majority of uzavas became ezavas and thiyyas(means people from ezham,deep)and good portion of paravans became chiristans and Muslims. Jainism came through mysoor and Karnataka, they also had good followers among locals.Muziris, maduri,panthalayanikollam,vizinjam such cities and costal areas had roman,jewish,arab,chinies settlements, thus the 3 Semitic religions came to India, there were few Aryans(Brahmans) also settled in these cities but that time they were neither influential nor have any significant presence in society.

Brahmin settlement start much later stage around AD 7-10 centuries. They came to kerala from tulunadu under kadamba king mayurasharma's directions and settled in 32 gramams.

Then came 100 years of war between cheras and cholas, at 1st cheras lost heavily and chera power started to vanish, this time with the help of Brahmins cheras formed "chavers"(suicide squads) and finally cholas defeated, during this time social system started to change, Brahmins got upper hand in society cheras lost their mens in battle field,chera womens accept Brahmin partners, matriactial system started,these Brahmins received local customs and imposed their vedic and knowledge and became namputhiris , their childrens and relatives from cheras became nairs, adisankara established Brahmin supremacy among other ideologies especially among budha dharma, and namputhries accept and accommodate so many local believes and rituals such as chera king of ancient time"vell kezu kettavan" myth became parasurama myth etc. The story of Brahmins converts to Christianity came much later stage "the ramban pattu" and such type of other stories are using Malayalam language called"vattezuthu " ,these type of dialects used in 15- 18 th centuries. But one thing is shower that, AD 1 st centuries itself there were Christians in kerala, st: Thomas converts some jews who settled before them and locals(uzavas, paravas etc).probably he converts some budha,jain priests. In history you can see that people from lower sections have a tradition to imitate the upper class, and different clans and groups are claiming that they are descendents of some gods or prophets or some historical figure and try to imitate that custom and culture

Features

Mannappedi/Pulappedi

Mannappedi or Pulappedi was a custom which existed until 17th century. An upper caste woman could lose her caste if any male from the castes like Pulayan, Parayan or Mannan happened to see her or touch her by any means. Then she would be expelled from the caste or had to move with the "low caste" person or will be under descretion of the elders to decide. This would apply especially on the night of a specific day that fell in the month of Karkatakam (roughly corresponding to the dates 15 July to 15 August) in the Gregorian calendar [1]. Given the social and economic status of lower caste people of that era, it is believed that this practice could not be perpetuated without social sanction, and definitely not without the connivance and/or tacit support of the men of upper castes. Thus, the men folk used this in the garb of a custom to stifle the freedom or rights of women belonging to upper castes such as Nairs [2]. Another view of the practice is that it was a route provided by tradition to the oppressed Pulayan class for registering their intentions of revenge as a symbolic act [3]. The practice was abolished by the then Kerala Varma in 1696 [4] after which he had to face the ire of the royal servants (Pandarathu Kuruppus) [5]. The Pulayan (also Pulayar, Pulaya, or Pulays) are one of the main socities of Kerala. ... Paraiyar also Parayar, Paraya, Pariah, Berava or Sambavas are a social group found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and in Sri Lanka. ... In Irish mythology, Manannan mac Lir was a sea and weather god. ... is the 196th day of the year (197th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 227th day of the year (228th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Gregorian calendar is the most widely used calendar in the world. ... This article is about a Hindu caste. ... The name Kerala Varma refers to a number of persons, including many members of the Cochin Royal Family. ...

The classification of castes

In old Kerala society the castes were classified as Brahmins, Shudras and Panchamas. However, for practical purposes, sections of Shudras were declared Savarna and all other Shudras and Panchamas were declared Avarna. Even non-Hindus were considered Panchama in old days. Many native rulers claimed Kshatriyahood, probably, with the help of Tulu Brahmins who migrated or invited to Kerala during medieval times.

Savarna Jatis (Classified Castes)

• Namboodiris(Namputhiri,Potty,Namputhiripad,Bhatathiripad,Thamprakal,Bhatathiri,Emprathiri,Musthu,Elayathu

Nampidi,Nampiyathiri,Somayajipad,Nampi etc.) The Namboothiris are the Brahmins of Kerala. ...

• Patter/Iyer,Tulu Brahmins,Konkini Brahmins(GSB)etc
• Ambalavasis(Varrier,Pisharadi,Thiyattu Unni/Nambiyar,Chakkiyar,Nambesan,Adikal,Kurukal,Pushpakaunni,Pothuval,Marrar etc)
• Nairs(including the so called malayala kshatriyas,Varmas,Thampans,Thampis,Thirumulpad,Achhan,Kartha,Kaimal,Unnithan,Unnithiri,Pandala,

Eradi,Adiyodi,Nedungadi,Vellodi,Valiyathan,Kurup,Paniker,Nair,Nambiyar,Nainar,Menon,Menokki Pillai,Karanavar etc) Some of the upper stratosphere of Nairs gained ascension to kshatriyahood via hiranyagarbha of priests however the fact that they have identical customs and traditions to the Nairs and the fact they only intermarry from other Kiriyathil Nair famillies proves they were originally Nair. Ambalavasi is the name of an Indian community (not to be confused with caste) composed of a number of Hindu castes such as Nambeesan, Moosad, Ilayath, Kurukkal, Warriers etc. ... This article is about a Hindu caste. ...

Avarna Jatis (Out of caste system)

• Nairs (There is only a thin line differentiating them and would conveniently fall in ‘Avarna’ category – barring a few Nairs who intermarried and gained Brahmin ancestry)
• Ezhavas
• Deevara
• Kaniyan
• Kuruman
• Kamallans
• Malayan
• Mannan
• Paniyan
• Kadar
• Parayan
• Pulayan

// Introduction Nair is the name of a caste in the Southern Indian state of Kerala. ... Ezhava is a sect among the Hindu community in India. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Kuruba. ...

Acceptance

The caste system had its legitimacy in the positive responses to many of its institutions by the non-Brahmins.

• Sambandams with Brahmins was generally held in high esteem.

The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...

Opposition

The opposition to caste system took various forms. While some castes refused the position of their community or refused to accept higher position of other community. In other cases, many individuals completely disagreed with caste divisions.

Religious symbols

The most abused castes (now known as scheduled castes) showed their opposition to the system by creating and worshipping new spirits for the persons who suffered due to caste atrocities in North Malabar. In India, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are communities that are accorded special status by the Constitution of India. ... Image of Karkitaka theyyam : Theyyam after monsoon season The Theyyam or Theyyattam is a popular ritual dance of north Kerala, south India, particularly presented in the Kolathunadu(of the present Kannur and Kasargode districts). ...

Artisans

Artisans (known as Kammalan in Kerala), in all South India, paradoxically, fought for a higher position in the caste system. According to John Fryer, who vistited India in 1670, the members of Kammalan caste held themselves equal to Brahmins and disputed the higher position of Brahmins. The weavers and goldsmiths in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh created their own priest systems. John_Fryer is a renowned U.K based music producer who has worked with Nine_Inch_Nails, White_Zombie, Cradle_Of_Filth, Paradise_Lost, Fear_Factory, Depeche_Mode and many other artists. ...

Social reformers

Ayyankali, Chattampi Swamikal and Sri Narayana Guru were few social reformes who fought against the inhuman and disgraceful practices that their respective communities subjected to. Ayyankali (1863 - 1914) was a leader of the Indian lower caste Dalits (Untouchables). Ayyankali was born in 1863 at Perunkattuvila in Venganoor, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. ... Chattampi Swamikal Chattampi Swamikal (b:1853 - d:1925) was a Hindu sage and one of Kerala’s famed religoius and social reformer . ... Narayana Guru Nārāyana Guru (नारायण गुरु,നാരായണ ഗുരു) (1856 - 1928) was a great sage and social reformer of India. ...

Rulers

Kerala Varma, a Southern ruler, voiced against the caste system incurring the wrath of his generals (Kurups). The name Kerala Varma refers to a number of persons, including many members of the Cochin Royal Family. ... The Kurups (IPA: [kurupɨ̆]) are a part of the Nair community in Kerala, South India. ...

Caste System among Muslims

Muslims in Kerala are categorized into what have been called castes, despite Islam's egalitarian tenets.

Caste System among Christians

Christians in Kerala are not categorized into what have been called castes.

See also

• Indian caste system

The Indian caste system describes the social stratification and social restrictions in the Indian Subcontinent, in which social classes are defined by thousands of endogamous, hereditary groups often termed as jātis or sub-castes. ...

References

• Caste and Race in India, by G.S. Ghurye
• Medieval Kerala