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The
Malayalees have a distinctiveness in appearance marked by
fairness of complexion, regularity of features and clean
habits. The outlook on life has changed considerably and
new ideas resulting from liberal education have permeated
the society. Of the customs peculiar to Kerala, the most
important ones are the Marumakkathayam and the joint family
system.
Rituals
Observance
of caste system, with all its rigour and formalities,
was another peculiarity of Kerala. The observance of
untouchability vanished consequent to the movements
of social reforms, especially the one initiated by Sree
Narayana Guru. The Temple Entry Proclamation of the
Raja of Travancore effective by put a end to the system
of untouchability in South Kerala.
Today, Kerala is the only State in India where untouchability
as well as repression of Harijans are unheard of. Moreover,
the progressive Governments in Kerala have been adopting
several measures for the uplift of the scheduled castes,
scheduled tribes and other backward communities.
Ammankudam
is a ritual dance of devotees carrying holy pots on the
head as offering to the goddess. Usually performed in
Bhagavathy temples.
Arattu (holy bath) is ritual connected with the closing
of a festival. The idols of deities are carried in a procession
to the river for the holy bath. The purified idols are
then escorted back to the temple accompanied by a grand
elephant pageant, panchavadyam, nadaswaram and chendamelam.
Chandanakudam : Ritual offering of coins in earthen
pots in Muslim shrines. The pots are smeared with sandal
paste, the mouth covered with while cloth, with a garland
around the neck and three incense sticks fixed into the
cloth covering.
Chuttuvilakku (literally, chuttu - surround; vilakku
- lamp), the thousands of oil lamps fixed on the outer
walls of the temple.
Ezhunnallathu is the ceremonial procession of the
idols of a temple. The procession usually comprises various
cultural art forms, traditional temple music and elephant
pageants.
Kodiyettam is the ceremonious flag hoisting ceremony
denoting the beginning of the festival or festive season
in a temple, church or mosque
Pallivetta (the holy hunt) is symbolic of Lord Vishnu
hunting down the demon of evil in a forest. The procession
is usually very colorful and attracts devotees in large
crowds.
Paraveppu : A ritual performed in many Hindu homes
a part of a festival. The Para (wooden/brass measure)
full of paddy is arranged in front of the house along
with the lighted lamp and other offerings like fruit,
jaggery and so on. The offering is collected by a procession
of elephants carrying the thidampu (idol of the deity
of the temple).
Pongala : This ritual offering to Goddess Bhagavathy,
is a preparation of rice, jaggery, coconut and plantains
cooked together, in the temple premises.
Seeveli: A ceremonial procession which denotes the
conclusion of the morning and evening pooja (devotional
rites) in certain temples.
Thalappoli is a ceremonial procession, around the
temple, of girls or women in traditional attire holding
the thalam in their hands. The thalam (usually a silver
or brass plate) contains rice, flowers and lighted lamp
- all of which symbolise prosperity.
Velichappadu/komaram (literally, revealer of light)
: The oracle is usually dressed in red and carries a sword
and shield. Possessed by the spirit of the deity the oracle
dances in a frenzy at the festivals in Bhagavathy temples.
Marumakkathayam
Of the customs peculiar to Kerala, the most important
ones are the Marumakkathayam and the joint family system.
Marumakkathayam is the matrilineal system of inheritance.
During the past ten decades, there had been an urge for
a thorough change in the old family customs. Legislative
sanctions were given to claim partition from the joint
families and adopt Makkathayam (inheritance through the
male line). Due advantage has been taken of these legislations
by the majority of the communities.
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