Islam and casteism in kerala

Islam and casetism in kerala

It is general propaganda that all muslims are brothers and there is no casteism within them. This is a false propaganda by the british that casteism is a prerogative of hindus only. In free india it is propagated by the vested interests to create vote banks.

The reality is much different.

Let us take example of kerala. Majority of muslims there belong to sunni faction, 98 percent of them. Remaining 2 percent are shia or other small sects. The sunni belong to shafi school of islam.

Kerala had good trade relations with Arabia much before islam. The spices were taken to oman or yemen and then by land route to Europe and other places, islam came to kerala in the lifetime of Hazrat Muhammad.  Due to the influence of hindu customs and otherwise, castes are there amongst the muslims of kerala. Here is a brief description of some of the castes

Thangals – the highest caste. Originally sayyids of banu hashim clan, they claim to be descendents of the prophet. Thangal is actually a title just like shastri in Hinduism. They hold the key spiritual position within muslim community. They are imams of the mosques. The imam of panakkad is virtually the pope of kerala muslims.

Mapillas – biggest community f muslims in kerala, almost 40 percent. They were converted in 9th century and wee position holders in hindu kingdoms. But mainly they are traders, much similar to nair community, they have similar customs and traditions. The only muslim royal family – arakkal of kannur belongs to this caste.

Marakkar – sea faring community but also considered to be martial community, in naval warfare. A section is associated with ship building industry which is named kkalsisi. Another sub community is nahas again connected with sea faring activities.

Keyis and koyas – they emigrated to kerala in 15th and 16th century from Arabia; keyis from hajaz in suadi Arabia and kotas from salalah of oman. They worked as mediators between british and hindu kings of kerala. Koyas were mostly in clerical jobs. Mapillas still consider them to be foreigners. They maintain endogamous customs, especially in marriage.

A few sub branches also exist like kakaris (mainly teachers). There are kurups, kolathris discounted as they speak not malayalam but a mixture of Sanskrit, tulu and malayalam.

Pusalans – converts from lower castes, particularly pulyas, in 18th century.

Ossans – lowest amongst muslims , almost like avarnas of hindu dharma, barber and circumscion is their profession

Some muslims have migrated from tamil nadu but not considered part of kerala muslims as their mother tongue is not Malayalam.

(for details please see www.reddit.com/indian history/comments/198r97k/caste_system-among_malayali muslims of_ kerala/)