Maniyani (caste)
| Maniyani Nair മണിയാണി നായർ | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Lunar dynasty |
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Malayalam |
| Country | India |
| Populated states | Kerala • Puduchery |
| Related groups | Nair • Nambiar |
The Maniyani Nair[1] (also known as Kolaya, Kolari, Ayar, Konar, Urali Nair[2][3] in different areas) is a Malayalam speaking Yadava community,[4] and Nair sub-caste native to Kerala state of South India.[5] They are mainly distributed in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Kannur, Kasaragod and Wayanad districts. They are a pastoral community and their traditional occupation is tending cattle and cultivation.[6] They are sometimes also referred as Itasseri Nairs. [7]
Origin
[edit]The Maniyanis are believed to have come from the ancient Yadava clan and associate themselves closely with the god Krishna.[8] It is believed that from Gokarnam, a group of those who set out for various parts of India, reached the Kolat land and the Tulu land via Mangalore.
Social life
[edit]The majority of the Maniyanis are concentrated in the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod.[6] They follow similar birth, marriage & death customs and rituals like other Nair sub-castes. Even though they practice endogamy, they do sometimes intermarry with other castes like Nambiar,[9] Payyanur Poduval, Nair, and Vaniya-Vattakad Nairs.[10][11][12]
Today, two sub-castes among the Nairs, namely Pallichan and Maniyani, are theyyam worshippers, and they have their own shrines for their theyyams.[13]
Kannangattu bhagavathi is the tutelary deity of Maniyanis. Kannangattu bhagavathi has permanent place in every Muchilot Bhagavathi temple since Maniyanis have special brotherly relationship with Vaniya-Vattakad Nairs. Maniyanis also perform Poorakkali in Muchilot bhagavathi temples.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ Religion and Society. Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society. 1979.
- ^ Religion_and_Society.
- ^ Religion_and_Society.
- ^ J. N. Singh Yadav (1992). Yadavas Through the Ages, from Ancient Period to Date. Sharada Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-85616-03-2.
- ^ J. N. Singh Yadav (2001). Yadavas of South India. Yadava Publications.
- ^ a b "www.ecoi.net" (PDF).
- ^ T. Madhava Menon; International School of Dravidian Linguistics (2002). A handbook of Kerala. International School of Dravidian Linguistics. ISBN 978-81-85692-31-9.
- ^ The Man Who Learnt to Fly But Could Not Land.
- ^ P Radhakrishnan (1983). "Land Reforms and Social Change: Study of a Kerala Village". Economic and Political Weekly. 18 (52/53): A143 – A150. JSTOR 41626951.
- ^ People of India : India's communities · Volume 5.
- ^ People of India: Karnataka.
- ^ The Sacred in Popular Hindusim: n Empirical Study in Chirakkal, North Malabar.
- ^ Adoor K. K. Ramachandran Nair (1986). Kerala State Gazetteer. State Editor, Kerala Gazetteers. ISBN 978-81-85499-36-9.