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Kerala is one of the twenty five states of India, situated at the southern most part of the peninsula. The Christian population of Kerala is 22% as against 2.5% of the Indian average. Among the innumerable Christian sects in Kerala, Catholics form the majority. There are three rites among the Kerala Catholics, namely the Roman rite, and the Oriental rites of Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara. The oriental rites are commonly called "St. Thomas Christians" as they are the descendants of those converted by St. Thomas, the Apostle when he preached in India from 52 AD. The followers of the Syro-Malabar rite form the majority of Catholics.

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Within the Syro-Malabar church, there exists a small group called "Southists" or "Knanaya Catholics"in the official church documents. It is an ethnic group, and endogamous community which has its own distinct traditions, customs and culture. They are spread through out the world. This 200,000+ strong community is under the Archbishop of Kottayam, who enjoys personal jurisdiction over all Knanaya Catholics. When interaction between nations and people grew stronger and development in science and technology helped it, and the goodness of the human heart boosted the idea that the world is one human family with diverse cultures, beliefs, and other traits, Knanaya Catholics found their way abroad to many countries. The United States of America is the most country of their emigration. As people who long preserved their unique traditions and customs, even now they are keen on preserving them for the next generation.

 

Origin and Growth of the Knanaya Community 

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The Knanaya people trace their origin back to the 72 Mesopotamian Christian families who immigrated to India, landed at the ancient port of Kodungalloor and settled in Kerala in AD 345. Mesopotamia was part of the Babylonian empire. The immigrants were part of Jewish Christian community which took special care to preserve some of its Jewish-cultural traits. They were under the jurisdiction of the Catholicos of the East in Seleucia-Ctesiphon. This church also trace it's origin to the apostle St. Thomas in that it was established by the preaching of his disciple Mar Mari. The Catholicos of Seleucia-Ctesiphon came to know the sad plight of the Indian church through traders who had been trading with India. As directed by the Catholicos, a merchant called Thomas Kinayi (Kinan) organized an immigration of 72 families from seven tribes of Jewish Christians. They were accompanied by Bishop Mar Joseph of Uraha, (also called Uruck and it is the present Warka in Iraq) and four priests and a few deacons. On reaching the Kerala coast ( at that time called Malabar Coast) Thomas Kinayi visited the ruling King Cheraman Perumal and obtained from him land and some highly esteemed privileges. ( The deed can be found here). This community began to be called "Knanayaites" or "Southists" after their prominent leader Thomas Kinayi. The influx these immigrants with a Bishop and Clergy invigorated the existing Indian church, enabling it to prosper in India as a privileged community. 

The Knanaya community remained as an endogamous community following Judeo-Christian traditions. In the course of centuries these traditions have been kept up from generation to generation. These traditions and privileges were recorded in the form of folk songs which were used with or without a dance form called " Margam Kali " (Dance of the way of Jesus) on religious and festive occasions. These folk songs, dance, endogamy, various customs at marriage, funeral, Passover and various occasions and a number of other things constitute the unique Knanaya culture. Though many of them are not connected with liturgical functions, all of them are religious in overtone.

The first immigrants were Judeo-Christians who kept up many Jewish Traditions. Before embarking on ships at Uz the immigrants under the leadership of Thomas Kinayi visited the Catholicos to get his blessing and went to the tomb of Ezra of the Old Testament and prayed to get his blessing. Ezra was a champion of pure lineage and endogamy among Jews. This explains the strict practice of endogamy among the Knanayaites. When the Christian community of Uz gathered to see the immigrants off, while kissing and embracing each other painful of parting, enjoined them of strict adherence to t en commandments, seven sacraments, endogamy, harmony and devote life. 

Through out the history of 16 turbulent centuries the Knanayaites tried to be faithful to their original spirit. Their presence, the privileges they had, the clergy they maintained, all help the shape up and flourishing of the original Christianity in India which was at the crossroads. As endogamous community its numerical growth was limited and remained as minority. The community began to face problems from the onslaught of others. Community surmounted all these situations. The Holy See at the beginning of this century, took note of the affliction of this community and their challenges and issued a Papal Decree to establish a diocese solely for them. That is the Diocese of Kottayam.

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The Seventy-Two Privileges Given To Knanayaites By The King Cheraman Perumal

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1. Pallakk (palanquin) 

2. ​Ambari (howdah on an elephant) 

3. ​Antholam (palanquin) 

4. Thookumancham (swinging coat) 

5. Kuthira savaari (horse riding) 

6. Anasavari (elephant riding) 

7. Arappura (Treasury) 

8. Ankanam (courtyard) 

9. Manarkolam (platform)

10. Padippura (out-house) 

11. Pavada (royal clothing) 

12. Pakal vilakk~ (day lamp) 

13. Nettur petti (cloth box) 

14. Thee vetti (fire torch) 

15. Nayattubhogam (privilege for hunting) 

16. Bhoomi karamozhiv~ (land-tax evasion) 

17. Nada vili (cheers) 

18. Arp (cheers) 

19. Kuravai (cheers) 

20. Ammoolam (a kind of tax) 

21. Mammolam (tax) 

22. Chelli (a kind of tax) 

23. Chenkomb (another tax) 

24. Rajasamaksham Irippu (sit before the King)

25. Pathinezhu parishamel kathruthwam (control over 17 lower casts)

26. Rajabhogam (tax) 

27. Naikudiparisha 

28. Nayatt~ (hunting) 

29. Theendalakattal (untouchability) 

30. Pala-marangal (forest trees)

31. Kuzhal vili (bugles) 

32. Chenda (drum)

33. Thanberu (big drum)

34. Panchavadyam (orchestra) 

35. Veeravadhyam (heroic bugles) 

36. Veeramadhalam

37. MadhaLam (drum) 

38. Sankh (conch) 

39. Edam piri sankh (conch with left screw)

40. Valam piri sankh (conch with right screw)

41. Veena (string instrument)

42. Rajavaadhyam (royal orchestra)

43. Thongal (decoration) 

44. Thoranam (decoration) 

45. Viri pandal (honor to erect pandal) 

46. Paravathani (carpet) 

47. Pandal vithanam (pandal decoration) 

48. Kodi (falg) 

49. Nediya Kuda (royal umbrella)

50. Alavattam (peacock feather fan) 

51. Thazhakuda (royal umbrella)

52. Venchamaram (beautified deer-haired tassal)

53. Uchipoovu (head turban) 

54. Kacha (robes) 

55. Kachappuram (overcoat) 

56. Kankanam (bangles) 

57. Kalthala (anklets) 

58. Kaalchilamp~ (anklets) 

59. Kaikara (hand ornament) 

60. Kaithala (bangles)

61. Nervaal (sword) 

62. Pattu chatta (silk coat) 

63. Patturumal (silken tassal) 

64. Pattu mund (silk dothi) 

65. Pathakkam (necklace)

66. Panjippudava (embroidered robes)

67. Mudi (crown) 

68. Mudikeezhabharanam (head ornaments) 

69. Methiyadi (wooden chappels) 

70. Tholvala (armpit bangle) 

71. Nettikettu (turban) 

72. Veera srimkala (royal chain) 

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" They Knanayaites were numbered among the noble races of Malabar. They were preferred to the Nayars and enjoyed the privilege of being called by another name than that of the "Sons of kings" - (Rao Bahadur L.K. Anantha Krishna Iyer, 'Anthropology of the Cyrian Christians')

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The 17 low castes over whom the Knanayaites were given control ;
(Pathinezhu parishamel kathruthwam)

 

1) Poothanar              8) Veyuruttian
2) Panar                     9) Four types of Chettikal(4)
3) Villan                    13) Manigramathachan
4) Thachan                14) Eezhavar
5) Eravakollan           15) Kammallan
6) Thoongan              16) Mamodheesan
7) Shourakaran          17) Oravalan

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Various Customs and Traditions of Knanaya Community

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Marriage

• Adachu Thura - Shutting and opening of the bride's chamber at the end of the marriage festivities at home. 

• Antham Charthal (Chantham Charthal) - Purification or beautification of the bridegroom by shaving face and bathing with oils, etc on the eve of marriage. 

• "Beru Mariam" Song - A prayer in praise of Jesus as Son of Mary, sung by the priests and the laymen at the end of the marriage ceremony in the church. 

• Kacha Thazhukal - A ceremony using a new piece of cloth given to bride's relatives as a gift by the groom's party (Usually to bride's mother, grandmother, and maternal uncle/aunt). 

• Icha-Pad~ Kodukkal - Ceremony of giving sweet pudding to the bride and groom in their home after the beautification ceremony. 

• Illa-Panam - A small amount of money is given to the bride's party by the groom's people as offering to the churches. 

• Kaipidutham - Betrothal Ceremony by blessing the hands of the uncles of bride and bridegroom by the priest 

• Koluvilakku - Lighted oil-lamp placed near the bride and bridegroom for Mylanchi Ideel and Antham Charthal. This lamp is also used to welcome the couple after the wedding. This lamp signifies the presence of Christ, the light of the world. 

• My-lanchi Ideel - Beautification of the palms and feet of bride by the leaves from "Mylanchi" shrub on the eve of marriage. This signifies the purification of hands and feet from the original sin committed by Adam and Eve. 

• Nada Vili - Cheers given to the bride and bridegroom while going home from the church after the marriage (It also serves to alert the wedding receptionists to complete their final touches). 

• Nellum Neerum - Sign of cross done using the blessed palm leaves (from Palm Sunday) wetted in the patty (rice) water, on the forehead of the bride and groom wishing them God's blessing and happiness. 

• Vazhu Pidutham - The rite of giving God's blessing to bride and groom by the mother of bride by placing her hands in the form of a cross on their heads. 

• Ven Paachor - A special sweet rice porridge ceremoniously given to the new couples after marriage. 

Funeral

• Drinking from the Blessed Coconut - To show that the sons and the daughters of the dead should live in fraternal communion. 

• Folding the Plantain Leaf for Meals - This reminds that King Cheraman Perumal honored Thomas Kinai and party by giving them two plantain leaves for royal dinner. 

• Thazhukal - Embracing relatives of the dead person in the church after the funeral, to express the condolence. 

Other

• Maargam Kali and Paatt - Religious dance (ballad) performed in connection with joyful relegious and social functions. The songs contain accounts of the apostolic work by ST. Thomas and the voyage and migration of Thomas Kinai and his group. 

• Puraathana PaattukaL (Ancient Songs) - Traditional songs sung by the participants and relatives during marriage ceremonies and festivities.