Maniyani (caste)

The Maniyani (also known as Kolaya, Ayar, Konar, Iruman, Urali Nair[1] in different area) is a nair sub-caste[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]

Maniyani
മണിയാണി
ClassificationIndo-Aryan peoples
ReligionsHinduism
LanguagesMalayalam
CountryIndia
Populated statesKerala • Puduchery
Related groupsNair • Nambiar

Origin

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

Social life

The majority of the Maniyanis are concentrated in the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod.[7] They follow similar birth, marriage & death customs and rituals like other Nair sub-castes. Even though they practice endogamy, they do intermarry with other castes like Nambiar, Nair, Payyanur Poduval and Vaniya-Vattakad Nairs.[8]

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.[9]

References
  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. "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. "www.ecoi.net" (PDF).
  8. P Radhakrishnan (1983). "Land Reforms and Social Change: Study of a Kerala Village". Economic and Political Weekly. 18 (52/53): A143–A150. JSTOR 41626951.
  9. Adoor K. K. Ramachandran Nair (1986). Kerala State Gazetteer. State Editor, Kerala Gazetteers. ISBN 978-81-85499-36-9.
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