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Social structure
was a spectrum of castes with varying degrees of status,
power and prestige.
Strange notions prevailed in Kerala about untouchability until a few decades
ago. Each caste group had rigid rules regarding the distances to be
kept from them by their inferiors in caste. The sight of an unseeable and the touch
of an untouchable caused pollution to the
caste superiors. Pollutions could be cast off only through ritual baths and
other cleansing rites. Sub-groups within the same caste had also barriers
preventing them from coming close to one another and dining together.
Custom in the earlier days has its basis maryada (norm), margam
(way) and acharam (convention) determined by birth status. Brahmins were the
purveyors of customs. The other communities followed the custom religiously
under regimes controlled and abetted by Brahmins. Acharam turned to anacharam in
course of time there were sixty-four categories of anacharams in this region
which crippled its society's progress.
Nairs
Matriarchy was the dominant form of family life and inheritance among the
prominent caste groups of Kerala. The family properties were inherited by the
children of its female members, under the 'marumakathayam' system. The assets of
the fa mily were the property of the eldest female member and the management
vested on her brother. The concept of trusteeship was built on female lineage
traced from a common ancestress. The children of the daughters of the ancestress
were the rightful claimants of property of the tarawad (ancestral home) by virtue of birth. The
children of the son's having no corresponding claim.
Women of the Nambootiri community had to live cloistered in the inner
chambers of their homes (manas or illams). They hide their faces and
bodies from public view during daily visits to their family temple, under the'
marakkuta' (covered-umbrella) and the 'ghosha' (veil) within their homes. The life
of a Nambootiri women was incredibly miserable with a succession of
harrowing experiences. Majority of them had to marry at a very young age to
senile infirm men and became widows early in life or remain spinsters for
life.
The ultimate ambition in life of several younger sons of Nambootiri families
was priesthood in some temple for a livelihood and convenient marriage
relations with Nayar women. For the elder sons, marriage with Nambootiri girls
was an attractive proposition for vast amount of dowry they got..
In the social set up of the Nayars in which women predominated
and the family properties belonged to women, Festivals and ceremonies connected
with the lives of women received great attention and importance. All the major
events in their lives were celebrated with great pomp and splendour.
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