CHAKKALA

The Chakkala are also known as Chakkala Nair.  They are also called Vaniyan or Chettiyar in some place.  They live in Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam districts. In some regions they are known as Vattakadan Nair. Nair community does not admit them as Nairs. They also consider themselves below Nairs.   They celebrate Onam, Vishu, Thiruvathira etc. They profess many occupations.  In olden days they were the makers and suppliers of oil required for the temples and Nair families.

Chakkala perform all rituals as that of Nairs. Elders settle marriages through negotiations. Marriage is known as Pudamuri. When the bridegroom hand over betel, tobacco, clothes and ties thali, and marriage takes place. In the past, thalikettukalyanam was conducted before girls attain puberty. Therandukuli was also performed. Birth pollution lasts for 13 days. On 27th day, palukudy is celebrated and naming ceremony held. Choroonu is conducted on the sixth month. Chakkala cremate their dead.  Death pollution (pula) lasts for 13 days.

CHAKKYAR

The word ‘Chakkyar’ is derived from Slaghyavakkukar, which means those who are talented with brilliance in words. Chakkyar admit Hinduism. Chakkyar belong to one of the Ambalavasi communities. Male members of the community suffix chakkyar with their name while females are known as illathamma. According to legend, they are the illegitimate sons of Nambuthiri women who were found guilt. Chakkyar are populating mainly in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram.  Ammannur, Kuttanchery, Pothi, Mani, Koyappa are the main lineage divisions exist among the Chakkyar.  They speak Malayalam. Their traditional art form Chakkyar-koothu, a temple art having religious significance, is very famous. Another art form that they perform is Koodiyattom, in which more than one Chakkyar participate. Koodiyattom and Chakkyar-Koothu are two art forms, which bring glory to the cultural heritage of Kerala. 

Previously they followed marumakkathayam but now they follow makkathayam.  Elders arrange marriage through negotiation. Marriage takes place in bride’s residence or at temples. Thali is the symbol of marriage. Chakkyar men were poonool like Nambudiris.  Chakkyar observes no pre-delivery rituals; but observe almost all other rituals as that of Nambuthiris..  Birth pollution is observed for 11 days.  Jathakarma (writing of horoscope of newborn baby) is done on the 12th day and annaprasanam or choroonu is held at the sixth month. Vidyarambhom is carried out at the age of three.  Poonool wearing ceremony for boys is carried out at the age of 11. Chakkyar cremate their dead.  Pula (Death pollution (pula)) observed for 11 days.

CHAKKYAR NAMBIAR

Chakkyar Nambiar is also known as Nambiar.  While male members add Nambiar to their names, women are called Nangiars.  The community spread in Thrissur, Palakkad, Kottayam and Alappuzha.  Malayalam is their language.  The community is separated into different family units viz., Meledathu, Mangalam, Kalakkathy, Muringothu, Edattu etc.  They believe in Hinduism.  They worship all Hindu deities and celebrates all Hindu festivals like Onam, Vishu, Thiruvathira, Sivarathri, Navarathri etc.   Chakkyar Nambiar is one of the Ambalavasi communities.  They were following Marumakkathayam in the earlier days, but now they follow Makkathayam.

Puberty ceremony known as therandukalyanam was celebrated in olden days, but now it a very simple function.  Elder arrange marriages.  Thali is the symbol of married women.  Marriage is performed at the bride’s residence or at temples. No pre delivery rituals are observed and birth pollution lasts for 13 days. Irupathyettukettu (tying of waistband) is done on 28th day of birth.  Chakkyar Nambiar cremates dead body.  Death pollution (pula) is observed for 13 days.

Chakkyar Nambiar’s traditional occupation was beating a kind of drum known as Mizhavu while Chakkyar Koothu and Koodiyattom are performed. Nangiars play an important role in Koodiyattom.

CHAKRAVAR

The Chakravar is a community seen in Thiruvananthapuram district. They are also known as Sakravar. They are traditionally barbers. Their mother tongue is Tamil. They are non-vegetarians. They observe strict endogamy.

They observe pre-delivery rituals and post delivery pollution. Naming ceremony of newborn baby is held on the 28th day. They observe therandukalyanam known as puspini. The marriage is fixed in a function known as mothira kalyanam usually takes place in bride’s residence. Marriage ceremonies contain anandaram (smattering coconut water), mamankalyanam (blessings of bride’s uncle), ethirelpu (receiving bridegrooms party), thali tying, kanyadanam etc. The body of Chakravar is cremated. Death pollution (pula) lasts for 11 days

CHAYAKKAR

Chayakkar or otherwise known as Vannan were migrants from Tamil Nadu.  They were brought to Kerala by English men to wash their clothes. They have two traditional sub-groups viz., Nalum and Nalpathum. Their traditional occupation is washing of clothes. They are supposed to provide mattu (washed clothes) in connection with the pollution removal rituals. They are settled in Kollam district. They speak and transact both in Tamil and Malayalam.  They follow Hinduism and worship important Hindu deities. They have their own Ammankovil where goddess Bhadrakali or Shakthi goddess is installed.  

Puberty celebration was observed in the past with great splendor. Marriages are arranged through negotiations. Marriage rituals are taken place in two stages – firstly exchange of horoscope known as carthumallam and secondly the marriage known as Kalyanam. Both the functions generally take place at the bride’s residence. The symbols of marriages are Brahmana thali embossed Shivalinga.   Pre-delivery ritual known as Pulikudy is performed at the seventh month of pregnancy.  Post-delivery pollution continues for 16 days.  Irupathyettukettu is celebrated on the 28th day of birth. Mundan ceremony and first feeding of rice is held after six months.  They cremate the dead. Before cremating, they perform vaikkari (putting rice and flowers in dead person’s mouth). The eldest son performs death rituals. Thali would be removed from widowers.  On fifth day Sanchayanam function takes place and Death pollution (pula) prolongs for 16 days. Death pollution (pula) removal ritual is known as Kuli.

CHEMMAN

The Chemman are a migrant group of people from Tamil Nadu. Their mother tongue is Tamil. However, the present generation has become Keralites and their language is Malayalam. The community is seen in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts. They are grouped under Scheduled Caste. They maintain muclear families. . Their traditional occupation is leatherwork. Now they have adopted other employment and occupations. 

They observe post delivery pollution for 9 days. On 28th day, they perform irupathyettukettu (noolukettu). They observe puberty rite known as vepilachadangu. Their marriage functions are taken place in bride’s residence. Thaly tying is the important rite of ceremony. They either cremate or bury the dead. Death pollution (pula) lasts for 16 days.  

CHENGAZHI NAMBIAR

Chengazhi Nambiar are seen in Thalapplly Taluk of Thrissur District and the population is below 1000. Once they were the feudal lords and rulers of Chengazhikode and the King gave them the title of Muppinnu. They belong to Ambalavasi group among Hindus and considered as next to Nambudiris in the social hierarchy. They are the uralans (owners) of temples. They are divided into several groups such Meledathu, Thekkeppattu, Vadakkeppattu, Kannampra. In the past, they followed Marumakkathayam, but now they share family property equally among the children irrespective of sex.

The community performs Therandu Kalyanam (Therandu Kuli). In the past, Chengazhy Nambiar women had Sambandham with Nambuthris; but now-a-days marriage is taken place within the community.  Alliances are fixed by negotiation by elders. Marriage is conducted at the bride’s residence. Homam and certain other rituals are performed before tying the thali. They also perform Pulikudy and birth pollution lasts for 11 days.  Namakaranam (naming of newborn baby) is done on 12th day and annaprasanam (choroonu) is performed on the sixth month.  Upanayanam is performed for boys after 10 years of age but before 15.  They cremate dead body and seshakriya is performed for 10 days. On the 11th day pindam ritual is performed and removed Death pollution (pula). Sanchayanam is also done either on 5th or 7th day of death. 

CHERUMAN

The Cheruman populate in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad Districts of Kerala.  Cheruman or Cheriyavan means little children.  Legend says that Parasurama directed that they should be cared and treated as children.  Logan says that they are descendants of Chera Empire.  Another version is that the name ‘cheruman’ is derived from the word ‘cheru’ which means a low lying paddy land and cheruman is a person who works on paddy land. Traditionally they are agricultural workers. They are divided into several social divisions such as Erayan, Kudan, Kanakkan, Valluval, Pulayan etc. Malabar Gazetteer says that they are divided into 39 groups.  Their social position was very miserable and they were considered as the most down trodden in the society and as untouchables.  They were not allowed to enter a house of upper class or to travel near to their residence or temples.  Now touch pollution have been completely eradicated from the society.  They follow Hinduism.  They are categorised under Scheduled Caste.  Their mother tongue is Malayalam.     

They perform therandukuli rites. Pre-puberty marriages were common in olden days; but now adult marriage is the practice.  Elder arrange marriage when a young man finds a girl as his wife.  Marriage takes place in bride’s residence on an auspicious day. The bridegroom arrives with new clothes, thali etc. The bridegroom ties the thali, which is the symbol of marriage, around the bride’s neck. His sister completes the knot. They perform pulikudy in the seventh month of pregnancy.  Birth pollution continues for 15 days. Choroonu and naming ceremony is conducted on 28th day of birth. They bury the dead. Seshakriya continues for 15 days. On the 16th day pulakuli is observed to make the members free from Death pollution (pula).

CHINGATHAN

The Chingathan are otherwise known as Chingathanmar.  They dwell in Kannur District.  Their name originated from the dance that they perform in the month of Chingom (August-September) in which famous Onam festival is celebrated. It is also said that the name of the community was a title awarded by the King of Chirakkal dynasty. The word Chingathan (chinnathen-honey from small honey bees) means one who collects honey. Traditionally their occupation is collecting honey from forest. Basket making, bee keeping and animal husbandry are their other professions.  They live in hills and hilly terrains.  Their mother tongue is Malayalam. They follow Hinduism. The Government incorporated them under Other Eligible Community category. They once followed Marumakkathayam system of inheritance but now Makkathayam is the practice.
Therandu kalyanam (puberty rite) is observed. Pollution continues for seven days.  Parents arrange marriages. On the fixed day bridegroom arrives the residence of bride along with friends and relatives, present her with a pudava, ties thali as the mark of marriage and bring her to his wife for wedded life. Pre-delivery ritual is performed on the seventh month when the parents of pregnant woman visit the house with coconut oil and sweets. Then they bring their daughter to home for delivery. Delivery pollution lasts for 12 days. Palukudy (Palukodukkal - First feeding) ceremony and namakarana (naming) ceremony is also observed. They bury or cremate the dead. Deep graves are constructed for the purpose far away from their dwelling.  Sanchayanam is observed on the fifth day of death. Death pollution (pula) continues for 12 days and it is removed by observing ritual known as Karikundaram.

CHUNNAMBU VELAN

The dictionary meaning of Velan is one who makes chunnambu (lime). They differ from Velan, a washerman caste also known as Mannan. Chunnambu Velan inhabit in almost all districts of Kerala. They are grouped under Scheduled Caste. They are mainly landless people. Their traditional occupation is lime making. Whitewashing, painting are some other occupations that they engage. Many engaged in various self-employments. Some of them are indigenous doctors (vaidyan). They are experts in performing velan thullal, a ceremonial dance accompanied by music staged in temples. 

They perform pulikudy. They also perform irupathyettukettu. Unlike others, they do not observe therandukalyanam (puberty rite). Marriage rituals are taken place in bride’s residence. The bridegroom ties thali around the neck of bride and they exchange garlands. They cremate their dead. Death pollution (pula) is observed for 16 days.