NAYAR OF INDIA

Nayar of India

Nayar of India

Introduction

Nayar or Nayar (in Malayalam) is the name of an ethnic group originating in the state of India's Kerala. The term is inferred from the Sanskrit word Nayaka (leader) or Naga (snakes, an object of worship for Nayar). The main activities historically associated with Nayar, whose position in the caste system, in India, is being discussed, are those of warriors, historians and travelers. Nayar was linked to the samurai Japanese techniques of war and the traditional code of honor. The geographical origin of the Nayar is uncertain, according to some anthropologists, they are not natives of Kerala in the present forms of matrilineal descent, techniques of war (Kalarippayattu), divinity (the snake god Naga and Bhadhrakali) is distinct from other inhabitants the region. There are two elements that support the hypothesis of an origin Nayar from Nepal, physical appearance (complexion clearer, more pronounced facial features) and the architectural style of pagoda temples and their Tharavaadu. The most distinctive element, however, is the system of matrilineal descent Marumakkathaayam, also practiced by the Newar Nepalese. Nevertheless, another source indicates anthropological theory Dravidian Nayar and attributes of the different facial features to intermarry with the Namboothiri (Tarabout, 1999).

Kinship

Traditionally speaking, Nayar's are matrilineal. The Nayar comprises of all matrilineally related kin, female and male, who are descended mostly from a female ancestor. The property in Nayar culture used to hold impartible, while several members are entitled to the preservation within the Nayar, but they cannot claim a separate allocation. During the 1930s, all these kinship cultures among the Nayar's started to change and the partition was made legally 'possible'. A typical Nayar's family consists of a mother, children's, grand children's, their brothers, some other descendants through their sisters, and different relatives through some of the dead ancestors. Inside each Nayar family, subgroup consists of a set of Individuals, who are usually headed by a woman who is called 'Tavari'.

Beliefs and values

Nayar's are very religious and they regularly attend the Hindu temples. The main and most important temple priests are called Brahmans or Tamil Brahmans which are mostly from South Kanara. But in few temples, the important religious figures are Kerala Brahmans as well as Nambudiri. The state of Kerala is famous for being innovative in providing education and official recognition for hard working pujaris of the lower-caste.

Marriage

The marriage culture among the Nayar's is of great debate throughout India. There were substantial sub-regional differences along with differences by family prestige and sub-caste. Nayar culture involves two types of marriages. First is Telikettu Kalyanaam or the necklace tying ceremony, while the other one is called Sambandham (the traditional nuptials of a woman and man)? Tali-tying ceremony is held before the age of puberty and is often the ceremony which is held for a large number of young women to save time and money.

Depending on the group, the tali may be joined by a constituent of a connected lineage by a constituent of higher sub caste of the Nayar culture, either by ...