Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Vol. 5 of 7

Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Vol. 5 of 7

MARAKKYAR.The Marakkyars are described, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as a Tamil-speaking Musalman tribe of mixed Hindu and Musalman origin, the people of which are usually traders. They seem to be distinct from the Labbais (q.v.) in several respects, but the statistics of the two have apparently been confused, as the numbers of the Marakkyars are smaller than they should be. Concerning the Marakkyars of the South Arcot district, Mr. Francis writes as follows.1 The Marakkyars are largely big traders with other countries such as Ceylon and the Straits Settlements, and own most of the native coasting craft. They are particularly numerous in Porto Novo. The word Marakkyar is usually derived from the Arabic markab, a boat. The story goes that, when the first immigrants of this class (who, like the Labbais, were driven from their own country by persecutions) landed on the Indian shore, they were naturally asked who they were, and whence they came. In answer they pointed to their boats, and pronounced the word markab, and they became in consequence known to the Hindus as Marakkyars, or [2]the people of markab. The Musalmans of pure descent hold themselves to be socially superior to the Marakkayars, and the Marakkyars consider themselves better than the Labbais. There is, of course, no religious bar to intermarriages between these different sub-divisions, but such unions are rare, and are usually only brought about by the offer of strong financial inducements to the socially superior party. Generally speaking, the pure-bred Musalmans differ from those of mixed descent by dressing themselves and their women in the strict Musalman fashion, and by speaking Hindustni at home among themselves. Some of the Marakkyars are now following their example in both these matters, but most of them affect the high hat of plaited coloured grass and the tartan (kambyam) waist-cloth. The Labbais also very generally wear these, and so are not always readily distinguishable from the Marakkyars, but some of them use the Hindu turban and waist-cloth, and let their womankind dress almost exactly like Hindu women. In the same way, some Labbais insist on the use of Hindustni in their houses, while others speak Tamil. There seems to be a growing dislike to the introduction of Hindu rites into domestic ceremonies, and the processions and music, which were once common at marriages, are slowly giving place to a simpler ritual more in resemblance with the nikka ceremony of the Musalman faith. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 42995
Author: Thurston, Edgar
Release Date: Jun 21, 2013
Format: eBook
Language: English