This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Thomast48 (talk | contribs) at 19:43, 17 October 2017 (→Culture). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 19:43, 17 October 2017 by Thomast48 (talk | contribs) (→Culture)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) Ethnic group| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| c. 300,000 (Kerala, India; Chicago; elsewhere) | |
| Languages | |
| Malayalam; local languages | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Saint Thomas Christians, Malayalis |
The Knanaya, also known as the Southists or Tekkumbhagar, are an endogamous group in the Saint Thomas Christian community of Kerala, India. They are differentiated from another part of the community, known in this context as the Northists. Today there are about 300,000 Knanaya in India and elsewhere.
The origins of the division of the Saint Thomas Christians into Northist and Southist groups are unclear. Various traditions trace it back to the arrival of the Syrian merchant Thomas of Cana in the 4th or 8th century. Another legend traces their origin to Jews in the Middle East. The rift in the community was noted through the period of European colonization.
Today the majority of Knanaya are members of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the Malankara Churches. They became increasingly prominent in Kerala in the late 19th century. Many Knanaya migrated away during the 20th and 21st centuries, largely westward, forming communities in non-Malayalam speaking areas, with a large expatriate community currently living in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
Names
The term Knanaya derives from the name Thomas of Cana, an important figure in Saint Thomas Christian tradition. The ultimate derivation of Thomas' epithet Cana is not clear: it may refer to the town of Cana, which is mentioned in the Bible, or it may instead refer to the land of Canaan. Alternately, it may be a corruption of a Syriac term for merchant (Knāyil in Malayalam). However, scholar Richard M. Swiderski states that none of these etymologies are convincing. The Knanaya are also known as Tekkumbhagar in Malayalam; this is generally translated into English as "Southist", or sometimes "Southerner" or "Suddhist". This is in reference to the historically significant geographical division between them and other Saint Thomas Christians, who are known as Vadakumbhagar or Northists in this context.
Origins and traditions
It is not clear how the division of the Saint Thomas Christians into Southern and Northern groups originated. The earliest written evidence for the split dates to the 16th century. Directional divisions within communities are common in Kerala. A similar north-south division is found among the Nairs, and it historically appears to have been in place in the early Brahmin settlements in the area. The Saint Thomas Christians may have taken this trait from the Brahmins.
A number of traditions and stories have emerged to explain the division, and both Southist and Northist groups use variants of these traditions to claim superiority for their group. The earlier version traces the divide to the figure of Thomas of Cana, a Syrian merchant who led a group of 72 immigrant families from the Middle East to settle in India in the 4th century (some sources place these events in the 8th century). This story may reflect a historical migration of East Syrian Christians to India around this time, which established the region's relationship with the Church of the East. In the Knanaya versions of this story, the Knanaya are the descendants of Thomas of Cana and his followers, while the Northists descend from the local Christian body which had been converted by Thomas the Apostle centuries earlier. In many variants, Thomas of Cana had two wives or partners, one of them being the ancestor of the endogamous Southists, and the other one being the ancestor of the Northists. In some of these variants, the Southists' ancestor was Thomas' Syrian wife, while the Northists' was an indigenous Nair woman who became his second wife or concubine, implying that the Southists are Thomas' true heirs. In other variants, both wives were Kerala natives, while the Southists' forebearer was from a higher caste. More recent versions of this story downplay the importance of either wife's status, focusing instead on their descendants' marriage practices: the Northists intermarried with the natives, while the Knanaya maintained their strict endogamy, maintaining a "pure" lineage.
Northists also maintain versions of the Thomas of Cana story that counter the Knanayas' assertions. In the Northist versions, both Northists and Southists are descended from marriages between Thomas' party and indigenous Christians, but the Knanaya are descended from Syrian servants who married "low caste" Keralans; the Knanayas' endogamy and "purity" are thus borne out of their exclusion by the higher class Northists. These variants frequently trace Knanaya descent back to a dobi (washerwoman); in some versions of this story, she became Thomas' concubine, while in other she married a lower-caste Maaran boy.
Another story regarding the origin of the division became popular during the 20th century. In 1939, Knanaya politician and author Joseph Chazhikaden published a book on the community, Tekkumbhagasamudayam Charitram, in which he argued that the Knanaya were the descendants of ancient Jews. According to Chazhikaden, they originated in Judea, and later converted to Christianity, though they maintained their distinct culture and identity. Eventually they were forced out of their homeland and moved to Cranganore, where they were welcomed by the ruler Cheraman Perumal and lived near, but maintained their separateness from, the indigenous "Northist" Saint Thomas Christians. Many Knanaya individuals and organizations accept the account as factual. However, Swiderski believes that the legend was "conceived and promulgated" by Chazhikaden himself. As with other Knanaya origin traditions, Northists dispute and condemn this story.
History
Early mentions
The first known written evidence for a division in the Saint Thomas Christian community dates to the 16th century, when Portuguese colonial officials took notice of it. A 1518 letter by a Jesuit missionary mentions a conflict between the children of Thomas of Cana, hinting at a rift in the community in contemporary times. In 1579 another Jesuit missionary named Monserrate wrote on the tradition of Thomas of Cana's two wives for the first time; he describes the division of the community, but gives no details about either side. A 1603 letter by Portuguese official J. M. Campori further discusses the division, which had by that point become intermittently violent; Campori likewise traces its origin back to the story of Thomas' two wives. None of these sources explicitly names the two sides as Northists and Southists.
Various later sources mention the Southists and their mutual enmity with the Northists. Following the Coonan Cross Oath of 1653, both the Southists and Northists were split internally into Catholic and Malankara Church factions; this rift overshadowed the north-south divide for a period of time. European observers tended to label the Northists and Southists as "castes" and they regarded this as an example of the prevalence of divisions in Indian society in general. Later, both Saint Thomas Christians and Europeans tried to assuage the animosity and downplay the division.
Modern era
In the late 19th century social changes in British India led to increased wealth and social power for the Saint Thomas Christians. This social change tended to advance internal divisions within the community, including the Southist-Northist division. Through this period the Knanaya promoted their own uniqueness and independent identity to push for further opportunities for their community. They sought the establishment of Knanaya-centred parishes for both the Malankara and Catholic churches, which were founded in 1910 and 1911, respectively.
Like other Saint Thomas Christians, many Knanaya have migrated away from Kerala and India since the 20th century. The largest Knanaya diaspora community is located in Chicago. The community originated in the 1950s when a small number of Knanaya and other Kerala natives emigrated to the area as university students; they were followed by more substantial immigration after 1965. The immigrants met up periodically for social events, and in the 1970s the organizations for Catholics, members of other Christian churches, and Hindus were formed. In the 1980s the various Indian Catholic particular churches sent chaplains to Chicago; in 1983 the Bishop of Kottayam sent a chaplain to minister specifically to the Knanaya Catholics. Unlike other Indian Christians in Chicago, the Knanaya have maintained their strict tradition of endogamy through arranged marriages.
Religious traditions
Traditionally the Knanaya have followed the religious traditions and practices of the wider Saint Thomas Christian community. In the 17th century, when the Saint Thomas Christians were split into Catholic and Malankara Church factions following the Coonan Cross Oath, both the Knanaya and Northist groups were internally divided. The Malankara faction became affiliated with the Syriac Orthodox Church, an Oriental Orthodox church based in Syria, while the Catholic faction is now known as the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. Beginning in the late 19th century, both Malankara and Catholic Knanaya lobbied for their own dioceses within their respective denominations. In 1910, the Syriac Orthodox Church established a distinct Knanaya-oriented diocese in Chingavanam, which reports directly to the Patriarch of Antioch. The following year, the Catholic Church established a Knanaya Catholic eparchy (diocese) in Kottayam, known as the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam.
Cultural and Symmetry With The Cochin Jews
Like other Saint Thomas Christians, Southist culture is largely derived from Syriac Christian culture mixed with local Indian customs, with later elements derived from Indian and European contacts. However numerous scholars have found that the traditions and customs of the Knanaya are exceptionally similar to that of the Cochin Jews of Kerala. This can be seen through the similarity in folk songs and folk traditions most likely resulting from the close proximity in which the Cochin Jews and Knanaya or Southist Christians lived.
Correlation In Folk Songs
Knanaya and Cochin Jew Folk songs are of a similar composure, linguistics, and can grouped into categories such as bridal, biblical, invocational, historical, and miscellaneous. Besides similar characteristics, these songs also have almost the same lyrics with the exception of a few words. Examples of this can be seen below. According to the Cochin Jew scholar late Dr. P.M Jussay, "These similarities are not accidental and cannot be easily explained". Besides the three referenced folk songs below, numerous others exist that share the same structure and lyrics.
Knanaya Kulli Pattu or Bath Song:
"Ponnum methiyadimel melle melle aval natannu Velli methiyadimle melle melle aval natannu"
Cochin Jew Procession Song:
"Ponnum methiyadimel melle natannan, Chiriyanandan, Velli methiyadimel melle natannan, Chiriyanandan"
Knanaya Blessing Song:
"Vazhvenna Vazhu ninakke thannen (Let thine be the blessed life) Neeyum nin bharthavum makkalum koote Kalam peruthayi vanittirikennam (With thy husband and childrne let thee live for long) Vazhvanam bhoomi bhalamake thannen Pangittu nin makkal kolluka yenneki" (Earth and all its fruits were granted to thee and to thy children to share)
Cochin Jew Blessing Song:
"Vazhuvanna Vazhvu ninakkayirika (Life blessed I have bestowed to thee) Makkalum shalom peruthayirkka Vazhuka thangeya perana bhoomil (Large be the number of thy children and peace great) Pangittu nin makkal kolluka yenneki" (To thee and thy children to share)
Knanaya Song: He Comes In Gold Decorated Palanquin
"Ponnantheedum thandukaleri Mangala velam kanman (He comes in gold decorated palanquin to witness the wedding festivities) Valarkoti munnil muthanithone Vattakam Vessumeethe (The noble standard in front and the diamond studded alavattom swaying) Pinnani munnilakambai nayan Nin Viliyattum pattum" (Unintelligible, however similar to Cochin Jew lyric)
Cochin Jew Song: He Comes In Gold Decorated Palanquin
"Ponnantheedum thandukaleri Mangala velam kanman (He comes in gold decorated palanquin to witness the wedding festivities) Ponnorumala marvilum ponnu Poosari manthal meethe Mannavan ekan poyithuyilatum Pattani poondu nalla (With gold chain in the chest and gold glittered canopy above a king clad in golden fluttering silks) Valarkoti munnil muthanithone Vattakam Vessumeethe (The noble standard in front and the diamond studded alavattom swaying) Munnani pinnilakambadi nayarum Velayattum pattum (Retinue of Nair soldiers in front and rear with dance and song)
Folk Traditions
Ash Carrying or Ash Tying:
After the burning of Cranganore by the Zamorin of Calicut during the Portughese Era, both Cochin Jew and Southist homes and temples were burned. In order to remember what was lost, the Cochin Jews carry a handful of earth from the hallowed spot their synagogues once stood to be used in traditions such as depositing onto the graves of deceased relatives. Like-wise the Southist Christians also carried a handful of charred earth as a keepsake from the place of their settlement. From this act originated the custom of them taking a pinch of ash from the hearth of the ancestral home of the new bride, and depositing it in a knot at one end of her dress, when she bade farewell to it and went to live with her husband in their new house. On account of this, the Northist Christians dub them derisively as Charam Kettikal or the knot makers of ash.
Other Traditional songs
The Knanaya Community has maintained numerous archaic songs which are sung on several different occasions. These songs and ballads speak of many subjects such as the arrival of the merchant Knai Thoma to India, and these traditions are commemorated during wedding ceremonies, retellings of biblical events from the Old Testament, and the erection of ancient churches.
Biblical songs are composed with the intention of teaching and transmitting Bible stories. Knanaya Bible songs show the age-old mixing of Hindu and Christian cultures. An example of this can be seen in the Knanaya song "Maranarul" or "By the Lord's Command", a rendition of the creation of Adam in the biblical story of Adam and Eve.
Maranarul (English)
- By the command of the Lord, man (world-dweller) was made
- endowed with all qualities out of chaos
- came unity. To prepare for the birth He grasped mud
- and with a tool shaped it into a mass.
- Within it the blood flowed and the muscles were arrayed.
- For prosperity God’s place was housed amid the nine apertures.
- Two hands, ten fingers with nails all red
- the ten all afire, and the dancing soul was granted.
- The soul bestowed, powerful Adam
- without hesitation made heard the very first words.
(Malayalam)
- Māŕānarul ceytīlōkēyannu nìravēri
- ḕrrinalguṇaṅṅalellāṁ bhramimēlorēṭaṁ
- orumayuṭayōǹ pērumakoṇḍu karuti maṇpiṭičču
- piṭičča karuvilaṭakkam nēṭi pùrattu tukal potińńu
- tukalakmē cōranīrum elluṁ māṁsadhatukkal
- bhratikaḷkku vātilańǰum navadvāraṅṅaḷāyattu
- raṇḍāṭu nālum nāluviralkku čuvappunakhaṇḍal pattu
- pattuṭayoǹèrayakattuṭayōnāya koṭuttuṇarttyōrātmāvum
- ātmāvum koṭuttu perumiṭṭōrābhamennu
- enašēšaminniččāllāmunniniṇḍaḷ kēḷppin
References
Citations
- Fahlbusch, p. 286.
- ^ Swiderski, "Blood Weddings", pp. 55–56.
- Neill, p. 42.
- Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", p. 73.
- ^ Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", p. 77.
- ^ Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", pp. 76–80.
- Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", pp. 73–92.
- ^ Baum & Winkler, p. 53.
- Neill, pp. 42–43.
- Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", pp. 74–76.
- Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", pp. 76–77.
- Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", pp. 77–78.
- Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", pp. 78–80.
- Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", pp. 80–82.
- Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", pp. 88.
- Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", pp. 88–89.
- Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", p. 83.
- Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", pp. 83–84.
- Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", pp. 84–85.
- Swiderski "Northists and Southists", p. 86.
- ^ Swiderski, "Northists and Southists", p. 87.
- Swiderski, Blood Weddings, p. 169.
- Jacobsen & Raj 2008, p. 186–187 and note.
- Jacobsen & Raj 2008, pp. 202–207.
- Swidersky, "Northists and Southists", pp. 84–85, 87.
- Swidersky, "Northists and Southists", pp. 87–88.
- ^ Swiderski, "Oral Text: A South Indian Instance", pp.129-133
Bibliography
- Baum, Wilhelm; Dietmar W. Winkler (2003). The Church of the East: A Concise History. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-29770-2. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- Fahlbusch, Ernst (2008). The Encyclopedia of Christianity: Volume 5. Eerdmans. p. 286. ISBN 9780802824172. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- Jacobsen, Knut A.; Raj, Selva J. (2008). South Asian Christian Diaspora: Invisible Diaspora in Europe and North America. Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 0754662616. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
- Neill, Stephen (2004). A History of Christianity in India: The Beginnings to AD 1707. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-54885-3. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- Swiderski, Richard Michael (1988). "Northists and Southists: A Folklore of Kerala Christians". Asian Folklore Studies. 47 (1). Nanzan University: 73–92. JSTOR 1178253.
- Swiderski, Richard Michael (1988). Blood Weddings: The Knanaya Christians of Kerala. Madras: New Era. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- Swiderski, Richard Michael (1988). "Oral Text: A South Indian Instance" (PDF). Oral Tradition. 3 (1–2): 129–133. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- Weil, S. (1982) "Symmetry between Christians and Jews in India: The Cananite Christians and Cochin Jews in Kerala" in Contributions to Indian Sociology, 16.
External links
Categories: