People, Customs, Ceremonies & Rituals

The tribes of different regions of Kerala, differ from each other in their language, religion, rituals. 

Hill tribes of Kerala had their own marriage customs. Conjugal relationship among members of the same endogenous group was taboo. Severe punishments used to be melted out to members who deviated from such conjugal norms. The girls when they are betrothed are put to a very strict test. Before marriage, she is taken to the bridegrooms house. There she has to stay for a time and prove her eligibility to be a good wife. The parents of the boy should be satisfied about her fitness before the marriage. If the girl fails in the test, the marriage is to be cancelled. During this period, if the girl become pregnant, the right of cancellation of the marriage cannot be enjoyed by the boy.

These tribes do not burn their dead. They bury them. The belief is that if the death rites are not observed with proper care, the dead will resurrect from the grave and give trouble to them. So they are particular about doing all prescribed rituals. When the body is placed in the pit, the relatives throw rice on the body, which is wrapped in cloth. After the pit is covered they put a structure over the grave and place a pot full of water and a knife. It is meant for the dead to quench the thirst and to hunt for food. 

Among the Irular tribe of Palghat district, the whole community engage itself in a type of dance and music known as Kurumbalam. They perform this dance and music whenever their occurs a marriage or death. The music and dance will continue until the dead body is removed to the funeral place. The son or the rightful descendant of the dead who does the rites has to shave his head. The main participant in the rites are the son and the nephew of the dead man. The Moopan also joins them in the performance of rites. The body is placed in the pit for burial with the head facing south. After the funeral, the relatives prepare a feast. The dead person is supposed to participate in the feast. So he will be offered food as ritual.

The customs and practices which are in vogue among certain tribal communities of Kerala are cruel and inhuman. These practices prevail due to the strong belief in superstitions entertained  by the community. Some of the communities do not consider the institution of marriage as sacred. They do not attach any contractual obligation to it. Among the Adiyars of Vayanad, marriage is becoming  very weak and loose. Both men and women can marry as many times as providence would permit. The tribals also perform rituals in their marriages. The leader of the tribe is all powerful who sits in judgment on matters concerning the personal  life of the members of the community. If one want negotiate a second marriage he or she is free to elope with the spouse and after spending a few days they can come back and live as husband and wife. It is provided by remitting a fine as prescribed by the moopan. Girls are allowed to marry only after attaining puberty. Among some communities talikettu or tying of the bridal thread while the girl is very young is practiced as an very important ritual. This is done by a boy who would normally marry the girl  when she attains puberty. On the death of a wife, the husband is made to lead a strict life of penance. He has to shave his head. He is not allowed by the Moopan to take bath, change the dress or even to smile for one complete year. If he breaks these rituals, the Moopan has the authority to punish him with the same austerities to be observed for yet another period.  Among the Kurichyar communities, bow and arrow are treated as symbols connected with all important events in a person's life. When a male child is born, an arrow is shot by relatives as a ritual, signifying the addition of a new member to the community. At the marriage function the bridegroom holds a bow and arrow. When the bride appears for the marriage ceremony, a very strange and cruel question is put to her by the elders to knew if she had sexual relationship with anyone in the past. It is believed that the tribal girl on such occasion will speak only the truth.

Paniyar is an another important tribes. They believe that souls of their dead always live with them and keen an incessant watch over them carrying for their well-being. The members of the Paniyar community conduct a ritual known as Nikalattam, the shadow dance of the dead. The dead soul will express its desires either through a member or the senior man of the community. The Paniyars do not cremate their dead. They believe that the dead person will be unable to withstand the burning. The song of the crows (kakkappattu) is  important for the dead. This is a common belief with many communities. The dead are supposed to come in the guise of crows to receive their share during the yearly ritualistic obsequies.