Maniyani (caste)

Maniyani
മണിയാണി
ClassificationLunar dynasty
ReligionsHinduism
LanguagesMalayalam
CountryIndia
Populated statesKerala • Puduchery

The Maniyani (also known as Kolaya, Ayar, Konar, Iruman, or Urali[1] in different areas) is a Pastoral community[2] and Malayalam speaking Yadava community,[3] native to Kerala state of South India.[4] They are mainly distributed in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Kannur, Kasaragod and Wayanad districts. Their traditional occupation is tending cattle and cultivation.[5] They adopted the Nair surname.

Origin

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The Maniyanis are believed to have come from the ancient Yadava clan and associate themselves closely with the god Krishna.[6] 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

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The majority of the Maniyanis are concentrated in the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod.[5] They adopted birth, marriage & death customs and rituals of Nair. Even though they practice endogamy, they do sometimes intermarry with other castes like Vaniya and Vaniya-Vattakad Nairs.[7]

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.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Manakkadan Manicoth Anand Ram (1999). Influx Crete to Kerala. Keerthi Publishing House.
  2. ^ Religion and Society. Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society. 1979.
  3. ^ J. N. Singh Yadav (1992). Yadavas Through the Ages, from Ancient Period to Date. Sharada Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-85616-03-2.
  4. ^ J. N. Singh Yadav (2001). Yadavas of South India. Yadava Publications.
  5. ^ a b "www.ecoi.net" (PDF).
  6. ^ T. Madhava Menon; International School of Dravidian Linguistics (2002). A handbook of Kerala. International School of Dravidian Linguistics. ISBN 978-81-85692-31-9.
  7. ^ P Radhakrishnan (1983). "Land Reforms and Social Change: Study of a Kerala Village". Economic and Political Weekly. 18 (52/53): A143–A150. JSTOR 41626951.
  8. ^ Adoor K. K. Ramachandran Nair (1986). Kerala State Gazetteer. State Editor, Kerala Gazetteers. ISBN 978-81-85499-36-9.