Aliya Kattu

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Aliya Kattu(ಅಳಿಯ ಕಟ್ಟು in Kannada) (Nephew lineage) in Tulu/Kannada or Marumakkatayam in Malayalam was, a matrilineal system of property inheritance practiced by many communities in coastal Karnataka and Kerala.

Contents

[edit] Origins

Some anthropologists believe matrilineal societies were common among early primitive human societies(See Marija Gimbutas). In India, South Indians were believed to be the last communities to become patriarchal. However, mostly Malabar region of Kerala and Karnataka remained matrilineal even today. But there were people in this region who were patriarchal.

[edit] Myth of Origin

Tuluvas believe Aliya Kattu was adapted at the behest of a king called Bhootala Pandya. The story goes like this. A demon wanted the king to sacrifice his son. However, none of his queens and sons were ready to be sacrificed. Seeing the difficult situation, king's sister offers her son. However, the demon shows mercy and lets him off. On his part, the king declares his nephew as his true inheritor.

[edit] Other theories

In Kerala, Nair's matrilineal system of inheritance was believed to have come into existence after Nairs lost many a men during Chola-Chera wars. However, this is being disputed and no longer viewed as a credible explanation.

[edit] Salient features

  • The children are part of mother's family.
  • After marriage wife would stay at her mother's place and husband would "visit" her.
  • The inheritance of lineage identity in the form of gotra (bali or bari or balli or illam) or in the form of ancestral house (Tharavadu or Guttu) is through mother. Marriage between the persons belonging to the same illam was prohibited.
  • Among the rulers the heir apparent was son of the sister.
  • The property of the mother is divided among the children in such a way that female children would inherit the major share depending upon number of children they have. A son would get only his share. There were no clear rules for father's property. Probably, in the earlier times it might have went solely to nephew. However, it was observed in the later period eventhough mother's property distribution would always follow matrilineal inheritance rules (sometimes at the expense of sons), father was free to distribute his property according to his wish.
  • Women had the rights to divorce and re-marry.
  • The maternal uncle is generally the male head of the family and was known as Karanavar in Malayalam or Yajamana in Tulu/Kannada.

[edit] Matrilineal Communities

The caste system made the society stagnant and only dominant castes could own the lands. Therefore, matrilineal traditions of landless castes became extinct or remained only in religious practices. However, even among erstwhile weaker castes few families remained matrilineal showing once this system was widespread in this region. This section lists few communities who practiced matrilineal system of inheritance. It's not a very exhaustive list.

[edit] Tulu/Kannada people

[edit] Malayali people

[edit] Tamil

Few Tamil commmunities were partially matrilineal.

[edit] Trivia

Since in old days father was not a permanent fixture at home (who could be spending more time at his mother's place) maternal uncle played a major role in his sisters' children's upbringing. Even after such family units became extinct in mid 20th century the maternal uncle remained symbolic head. Few Malayali matrilineal communities in North Malabar region would print wedding invitations with names of bride and groom tagged along with uncle's name. However, father's name along with uncle's started appearing in the later decades and nowadays uncle has totally vanished even from this symbolic presence.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Notes on Love in a Tamil family by Margret Trawick, Berkley Publications
  • Bunt history
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