Marriage System

Marriage System of Kaarala Gounder (Malayali Tribes)

 in Tamilnadu: Special Reference in Pachaimalai Hills

Geographical Location

The Pachaimalai hill is situated on the north western border of Tiruchirappalli District and adjoining with Salem

District. The boundary between Tiruchirappalli and Salem Districts passes across the plateau of Pachaimalai.

The hole of southern slopes and part of the eastern and western slopes of Pachaimalai is fall within

Tiruchirappalli District. The northern portion of Pachaimalai is fall within Attur Taluk of Salem District

. The

elevation of Pachaimalai is varies from 500m to 1000m. The slopes of the hills are generally steep and

sometimes precipitous.

Origin of Kaarala Gounder (Malayalis )

Mountain men, a hill tribe of Salem District are found in the mountains of Arunootru malai, Bothi malai,

Kalrayan,Kolli malai, Pachaimalai, Palamalai and Servarayan Hills. They are in no way connected with the

Malayali of Kerala in spite of the apparent resemblance of names. However, certain unique feature of the

Malayali culture has leaded some authorities to a theory of culture-historic interrelation with the matriarchal

centre of Kerala

. It is yet, more probable that the matriarchal remnants of Malayali life go back to ancient time.

Besides to say that pre-Indus, type of south Indian mother-right civilization.

In anatomical features and physical appearance they scarcely differ from the people of the plains. They

speak a Tamil dialect of their own. As the supposed descendants of the Kanchipuram Vellalar, they sometime

assume the name of Kanchi Mandala Vellelar. They are also known as the Karkatha Vellala to distinguish from

Kongu Vellalar. Within the context of the Hindu caste system, they are known as karalar (rulars of the clouds)

or Karala muthali. They used the term Goundar as their caste appolation in their personal names. One of their

proverb states that: without the blossoming of flowers on earth

.

Some of them believed that they are descendants of the original hunting tribes, Vettuvar, who were

widest spread in all mountains of this district. According to inscriptional evidences, they were migrated to this

district from Kanchipuram in 7

th

 and 11

th

 centuries A.D. All Malayalis strongly believed in their common origin

about which there are at least three versions. All the versions agree on the essential central theme of their

emigration from Kanchipuram in search of a promised land when they could freely practice their religion of

worshiping lord Kariraman. The emigration from Kanchipuram is common with the Kongu Vellalar too

.

According to the chief Guru of tribal community the founder of tribes came with their followers from

Kanchipuram, where their ancestors were lived a dissolute life of irreligion and beastly behavior. In order to

reform them into the religion of Kariraman the leaders (numbering more than ten) led a group charring the lords

insignia (umbrella, fly,-whisk flag) away from Kanchipuram seeking their promised land. They found the

mountains of Eastern Ghats like, Dhamapuri, Salem and south Arcot districts and established they were

settlements

They found him in the Kalrayan among the Vettuvar who refused to restore the God to the group. In the

resulting fight, the Vettuars were defeated but the god  stoke to the site and asked the victors to stay with him

later, three brothers from the group ( the eldest, the middle and the youngest) went on a hunt to kill a boor named

veeramalai panri. It was wounded in the Javadhu Mountain ran all over the country and fell dead on the

Kollimalai. Following dispute in sharing the pork the brother decided to go their ways separately. The eldest

periya Annan used to stay in the Kalrayan, the middle Annan decided to settle in the Kollimalai and the youngest

china Annan wont to the Pachaimalai

. Many elderly men in the Pachaimalai claimed that they were of royal

descent from Kanchipuram. Edgar Thurston says that in his book called "caste and tribes of Southern India

(vol.IV; 406 1909) corroborated the same view when he wrote: The word Malayali denotes inhabitant of the hills

(malai-hill or mountain). The Malayali have not, however, like the Todas, of the Nilgiris, any claim to be

considered as an ancient hill tribe, but once a Tamil speaking people who migrated from the plains to the hills

comparatively recent times. According to tradition, the Malayali originally belonged to the Vellalan caste of the

cultivators and emigrated from the sacred city of Kanchipuram to the hills about ten generation ago, when

Mohamadan rule was strong in India

.

Marriage ceremonies and other Rituals 

Marriage has been recognized as being very important in the life of an every individual. It brings together two

persons as husband and wife the established new family which obtains social credit and sanction through the

usually approved Marriage ceremonies

.

 Marriage ceremonies thus attain crucial importance because they not only reflect the culture of the

community but also come together it in proper perspective. Hence a study of these ceremonies cans terrified

much light on the community as a whole and on its social aspects in exacting

.

Marriage ceremonies and other Rituals of Kaarala Gounder (Malayali Tribes )

According to the tribal community, those who are elder, who says that there is system and procedures to get

marriage of any one of this community. Before marriage both bride and groom have undergo Nitchiyadaartham

or engagement, Parisam (Bride-Price), and finally marriage

.

Nitchiyadaartham

Nitchiyadaartham is a Tamil word for betrothal or engagement. When a suitable girl is known, either a crosscousin,

or

some

distant

relative

through

friends

or

relatives.

The

bride-groom's

family

sends ten members to the

house of the prospective bride. The father of the groom, if he is alive, always accompanies the party. The

bridegroom never goes with them, though he will be asked to give his consent later.

Even if the prospective girl lives in the same village, the party of ten has to make the formal visit to her

house. All of them wear dhotis and a big turban of white cloth. On this particular day the turban has to be wound

all over the head so that not even a single hair on the head may be seen. No one definitely to why hairs may not

be seen on this occasion, but some Malayali said that it was to ward off evil omens

.

After reaching the prospective brides house they are provide mats to sitting down. The thing that the

visitors do is to ask for drinking water. It is understood by the host that the prospective girl has to bring the water

and offer it to the seated guests. She becomes the object of observation in her bearing, look and manners as she

offers water in the Sembu (a handy brass vessel).if the visitors are not satisfied after they had a good look at her,

they ask for some more water, in order to have a second look. After the visitors have seen the girl well, the

parents of the bride invite them to stay for dinner. If they decline dinner, it is a clear indication that they do not

favor the girl. If the invitation is accepted, it means that the girl has been found suitable and that match could be

proceeded with. If and when they to have their dinner, the visitors are requested by the bride's parents to come

again in two or three weeks' time on an auspicious day, for fixing up the bride-price

.

Parisam (Bride-Price)

Parisam is the Tamil word for bride-price. It is customary among the Malayalis to give bride-price, both in cash

and kind.Tofix up the bride-price, few relatives and friends of the bridegroom, along with the father of the groom

or in his absence another close relative, go again to the future bride's house. Again the turban is worn in such a

way that no hair on the head is seen. While they are proceeding to the bride's house, the visiting party is sensitive

to any evil omens that may cross their path. They will return home without going to the bride's house if they

happen to meet on the way a widow or a black cat, or hear the barking of the barking deer, which abound in the

forests of the Pachaimalais. The latter is considered particularly a very bad omen and they return home. If they

manage to reach the house without any incidents, they are welcomed by the bride’s parents and relatives and

provided with mats to mats to sit on

.

In the case of a widow's remarriage, the bride-price is given only in cash and never in kind. Possibly

this is due to the kind being considered seceding India, widows have been traditionally considered inauspicious,

but among the ball his of central India (Stephen Fuchs: 1950p.152) she fetches a higher bride-price because of

her experience in work.

Once the bride-price is fixed, the wedding date also fixed the same day. Their marriage used to take

place only on the days of Thursdays.It is practicing even now. Here we have to arise a question? Why the tribes

are fixed wedding date particularly on Thursday. An old tribal man from vannadu says that “the lord Ram was

married Sita on Thursday that’s why all of them fixed the wedding day on Thursday. 

A part of the bride-price is sent to the bride’s house a week in advance of the actual wedding day. The

amount depends not only on the bridegroom’s wealth but also on the bride’s beauty and attractiveness. As one

informant said, like when you buy cows or bulls, if they are well proportioned and healthy, you have to pay more.

Accordingly, a petty girl would be married by the highest bidder, subject to the rules of lineage exogamy and the

approval of the parents concerned

.

Preferential Marriage

Marriage within the same lineage forbidden. Parallel cousins do not marry, but crass-cousins normally have to

marry each other when both come of marriageable age. In case someone wants to break this customs when

his/her cross-cousin is waiting for marriage, the aggrieves party has the right to demand marriage to their

daughter or son. For instance, if a man is lame, custom blinds his paternal aunt or maternal uncle to give him a

daughter in marriage as no other parent would be willing to give their daughter because of his handicap. In

quarrels between the mothers-in-law of the couple they ready remark is, my son is not lame that I had to insist

upon your daughter for marriage

.

Wedding Day

The wedding usually takes place in the bridegroom’s village. A Pandal (a shady structure prepared out of

interwoven bamboos and co-count palms) is prepared in front of the house of the bridegroom a day before the

wedding.  The same stricture is prepared also in front of the house of the closest relative of the bride who

happens to reside in the bridegroom’s village. (One finds relative in most of the villages in the same nadu, as the

hamlets are small in size and everyone known’s everyone ells.) The main wedding ceremonies will take place

only in their relative’s house.

On the wedding day, the Kangani is dispatched to the bride’s house with the reminder of the bride-

price. If the balance of the bride-price is not paid on that day, it is said that the bride’s parents would not let the

bride go for the wedding. The bride-price in cash is tied in a cloth bundle and presented to the mother of the

bride. Other than currency notes, it should contain coins worth at least ten rupees. A mother opens the bundle

and slips the contents down in the presence of the Kangani and the guests. The resulting clatter of falling coins is

supposed to portent good augury and brings prosperity to the new couple. Now that the complete bride-price has

been received, the bride is sent for wedding. Before leaving her home, she falls prostrate before her parents who

used to say few words of advice admit tears of parting

.

Thali

Thali is a piece of gold medal inscribed either with the name of the husband or the figurine of a goddess. It is

threaded into a string which is colored yellowish with turmeric paste. In  case of a Goundan marriage, only a

gold chain should be used in the place of the thread for  Thali.The tying of  Thali is  most sacred ceremony and it

makes them man and wife. The Goundan takes Thali after garlanding and says thrice to the bride and

bridegroom:

                 '' kattuna Mangaliam

                  kamatchaiammal mangaliam''(the thali to be tied

                  (may it be) like the thali of kamatchi)

                   (kamatchi is the name of their important goddess.)

He then hands Thali to the bridegroom who ties it around the neck of the bride, at the same time

drummers beating their drums loudest at this moment. With this, the wedding has taken place and then they are

makes as husband and wife.

Tying of Thali

After having meals, all of them assembled in the bride's Panthal for the actual wedding ceremony which is tying

of Thali. There are two urals-mortars (for husking the Samai, Thinai, or Paddy) which when inverted become

stool for sitting. The couple sit on these two stools facing the people, the bridegroom on the right and the bride

on the left, in front of them are kept two branches of arasu tree (Ficus Religiosa) and bamboo, on a part. Arasu

symbolizes the man and bamboo and women. By about midnight it’s time for the wedding to take place and the

Goundan takes two garlands and gives one to the bridegroom who garlands the bride and the other to the bride

who garlands the bridegroom.

Blessing from the elders

The village elders come one after another in front of the new couple and say few words of blessing. Some

women are singing a song in a form of greeting the couple. This is traditionally sung at all wedding days and

various symbolisms are used to convey good wishes and prosperity to the newly-wedded couple. Nature, which

abounds in the Pachaimalai is, provides themes for the greeting. One such song could translate by author, that is;

                ‘‘Spreading like the banyan tree

                   Extending roots like the field grass

                   Flourishing like the punga tree

                   And flowering profusely like the tamarind

                    May you shoot up, like the moosi tree

                    And grow heavenward like the bamboo...'' 

The last person to greet the couple as the singing is progress is always a pregnant woman. Perhaps it

signifies the collective wish for future fertility.

For the rest of the night there is Therukkoothu.Theru means 'street' and Koothu means 'play ‘or

'performance’. The 'street play' is the only form of entertainment for them.  The tribal folk (until cinema had

started attracting them to the plains in the past few year).These plays taken nearly six months to compose and

lean by heart. Themes are taken from the Ramayana,Mahabharata or from local folk tales like Nallathanga a

popular Tamil tale about a virtuous woman.

Often two or three groups compete with each other in dramatizing different plays, trying to attract the

attention and applause of the audience. Only men take place in front of the wedding Pandal of the bride’s house.

The actors are performing in music, dance or dialogue are accorded recognition and honor. Incidentally, all lays

are locally composed by men who have had good experience in performing art. It is amazing that a play lasting

two or three hours is composed and learnt completely by heart, without the use of writing or reading aids which

was comes to them only very recently.

When the plays come to an end in the early morning hours,, the bridegroom presents gift Rs. 5000/-and one

dhoti to the director of the play while the brides gives Rs. 3000/-and one dhoti to him. 

In the next day morning the newly-married couple is taken by the drummers around the village after

which the bride is taken to the pond or well where provides drinking water to the hamlet.  The bride fills one

Sembu water and brings it to her husband's house. The bringing of water from the village pond is the last of the

ceremonies of the wedding. The garlands which the couple wore for the wedding will be hung on the bamboo

pole and displayed in front of the house. It is never thrown away.

After bride brings water to her husband's house, the couple leaves the same day to the bride's house for

seer or the special wedding feast meant for the bridegroom. After three days of feasting there, they   return to the

bridegroom's house, the bride being accompanied by two of her best friends. These friends stay with the bride for

ten days and return to their respective homes, leaving her to fend for herself in her new home and new

surroundings

.

Marriage Gifts

Moy

“Moy” is a traditional collection of formal cash or gifts by the family which celebrated a marriage. Each family

in the village as well as relatives of the couple from other villages has to offer Moy, both to the brides and

bridegrooms families. The amount presented by each person is carefully noted down and announced aloud to all

those present. Mozhithal in Tamil means saying aloud and the word Moy is said to have derived from Moythal,

degenerative of the word Mozhithal. Moy is usually reciprocated by the bridegroom’s family or the bride’s

family during wedding in any of the families of those who presented the Moy.

Invitation for the Moy

The Goundan is seated on a mat inside Pandal. In front of him five betel leaves are placed on a day. Over each

of these leaves a Ball of flowers’ (pooppandhu) is placed. The Mooppan and the Kangani fall prostrate in front

of the Goundan and invite him over to the bridegroom’s house for the Moy.

Arrived the bridegrooms house, the Goundan gives the first Moy. It is always in the form of cash,

account of one rupee to ten or more, cash may be. After the village elders invite the Gounda to apply

sandalwood paste on him. On wedding day sandalwood paste is applied liberally on the bare chest, hands,

foreheads and cheeks. Besides serving as a gesture of honor, it is also a very cooling lotion in the summer

months when weddings usually take place. Following the lead given by Goundan, all the elders and boys apply

sandalwood paste on their person. By that time it is late evening and dinner will prepared jointly by the women

folk who attended the marriage

.

Festive Dinner

The festive marriage dinner is cooked by women of the village near the edge of hamlets. Stones are placed in

triangular position and big vessels are used for cooking. The entire necessary items for dinner like rice,

vegetables and cereals are supplied by bridegroom’s family.

The custom was to slaughter one or two pigs for every wedding since pork was main dish of festive

meal. Now days there are several Tribal’s who do not eat pork of domestic pigs and therefore to accommodate

them and some non-tribal friends from the plains is generally not served at wedding meals. This is observed

more strictly in the village on periphery of the hills which have maximum contact with people in the plains. The

interior, however, parks are still served for weddings. 

Meals are ready by about evening 9 O’ clock pm and again the Kangani and Mooppan fall prostrate

before the Govendan and invite him to have wedding dinner. The Govendan and his brother and those who are

Govendans in the marriage party sit down first for meals inside the Panthal. No Mooppan or Kangani or

commoner may join them. The dinner is served on banana leaves placed in front of each person. All of them

seated for the next serving to have their meals. Only men are allowed to serve, the women can have their dinner

only after having men. The bride removes the banana leaves after every batch of dinners have had the meals. The

couple to the married to not sit in the Panthal and eat with everyone else. They have it in their house

.

 The Pachaimalai Malayali's are developed in socially and economically. Their life style is like modern

society in the plain region. Because the Pachaimalai hill tribes are migrated from the plain. So they are followed

the social customs and marriage ceremonies also. They are able to cultivate in the top of the hills. Mostly water

for lifted from the Bore well for cultivation purpose. The government of Tamil Nadu is providing financial

support for them to develop and protect the forest areas. Most of the medicine is protected by them. The

Pachaimalai natural Herbals are securing all the deceases. .