Nambiar (Nair Subcaste)
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- For other Nambiar sects see Nambiar
Nambiar (Nambiyar) is a Nair title name.
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[edit] Origins
Their origin is Dravidian, as is the case with other South Indians.The origins of the name "Nambiar" is thought to be a variation of "Namboothiri", whom the Nambiars accompanied and protected in bygone times.
[edit] Customs
Many practices of the Nambiars are now outdated. These include the system of matrilineal inheritance and cousin marriage. Caste and discrimination has ceased in the past century, and so Nambiars no longer play a role in oppressing lower castes.Common practices such as first cousin marriage, have now ceased almost completely, mainly due to health reasons. Even just three generations ago, however, cousin marriage was widespread. It was a cunning method of retaining estates and princely possessions within the family.
- Jathakarmam : Performed just after birth.
- Naamakaranam : Christening.
- Choroonu : The first ceremonial intake of rice by the child.
- Choulam : The first hair-cut ceremony of the boy/ girl.
- Mahaanamneevrutham (Aanduvrutham)
- Mahaavrutham
- Upanishadvrutham
- Godaanam : Rites as part of thanks-giving to the Aacharyan (priest or teacher).
- Samaavarthanam : A long ritual for the completion of the above said Vedic education.
- Marriage
- Death rites
Nambiars also take part in extensive Serpent worship and many clans revere Bhadrakali and Shivan as their Clan-deities.
[edit] Position in society
Nambiars are regarded as being Arya ("noblemen"-mahākula kulīnārya ) and many incorporate this title into their names. They are addressed as Thirumukom (literally: "High face") and are referred to as Eshmanan ("Lord").
They share the same occupation (that of a warrior and ruler) as Nayars and thus they are classed as Nayars. However often the Nayars, who were a martial nobility, would take part in menial tasks during time of peace, and thus they have been considered to be both Kshatriyas and Shudras.
Nambiars received a formal education, an opportunity that was not available to commoners at the time.
The Nambiar were among the largest landlords in Malabar before the Muslim Uprising. As a learned and powerful caste, Nambiars were extremely influential in the past, and although much of their power was significantly reduced during the British Colonial Rule and Muslim invasions by sultans (especially Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan), they still retain a sense of nobility today.
