Kudumbis

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Kudumbi is traditionally a farmer community (the word kudumbi /kunbi means a farmer) and are Konkani speaking minority in Kerala. Their population is approximately 5 lakhs. Their settlements are found across Central and Southern Kerala. They are also found in the Malabar region of Kerala. They associate their legacy with the kunbi community of Goa. They had migrated to Kerala some 500 years back during the Portuguese suppression in 15th century in Goa. The Kudumbis, along with Gowda Saraswat Brahmins and Vaiysas who wanted to preserve their religious and cultural identity, had to migrate along the west coast of India. The first settlement of Kudumbis landed at Cherai near Paravoor(in Ernakulam district). Slowly they migrated to Cochin, Vypeen, Paravoor,Mala,Kodungallur, Trichur,Kozhikode, Tripunithura, Alapuzha, Thuravoor, Chertala, Kayamkulam, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and other coastal area towards south of Ernkulam. The Kurumba-Bhagavathy temple of Kodungallur is very important to every Kudumbi. Legacy says that Mother goddess of Kodungallur had protected the Kudumbi community during the exodus period from Goa. Even to this day the Kudumbis visit the temple during the Makam day. The ladies offer the special pooja at this temple which is popularly known as "Suvasini" or the Suhasini pooja. The Kudumbis speak the Konkani language among themselves which is slightly different from its original form due to the Malayalam influence on it.In fact there are few scholars from the community who have contributed significantly to Konkani Literature in Kerala.

The Kudumbis are socially, financially and educationally backward with respect to other Konkani speaking peers. They are innately hardworking, humble and god-fearing people. Even though they are coming under Other backward /Eligible community on the Kerala Government list, their condition still remains unnoticed.There are social organisations, namely Kudumbi Seva Sanghom, Kerala Kudumbi Federation and Kudumbi samajam, who represent the community in Kerala.

1 Progressive Kudumbis
2 Religion and Culture
3 Ethnicity
4 Popular Surnames
5 External links
6 References

[edit] Progressive Kudumbis

For the last two decades the community has progressed educationally and financially, thanks to educational concessions granted by the State Government. The community enjoys the job reservation coming under the Other Backward Classes (OBC Quota).There are many Govt. servants,few of them holding high posts in various Departments,especially in Education Dept. There are now many engineers, and a few doctors, leading lawyers and Advocates and Ph.D. scholars from the community.Some of the young Kudumbi IT professionals are found working in USA,UK,Australia etc in reputed MNC.The community is socially upfront, competing with other communities in the mainstream to improve its social and economic status. In fact there are few elected representatives in various Panchayats and Municipal Corp. who were elected during the elections held in 2005, especially in the localities where the community has a decisive voting majority.

The students are granted educational fee concession and have reservations for various courses in Kerala.There are now many Graduates and Post Graduates.But still there are only few students who able to join the Professional courses due to high fees,hard competition.The educational status in general has improved since last two decades. The community has understood the value of education and is encouraging the students in completing their studies.

[edit] Religion and Culture

Kudumbis are highly religious and god fearing people.Every Kudumbi family goes for annual pilgrimage to Tirupathi to seek the darshan (glimpse of the diety) of Lord Venkatashwara , offer their [Anguvanna] (preserved Hundi collection )and pray for their prosperity.This custom is followed even today with much devotion similar to Vishnavites.The community has equally accepted Sakthi-pooja (Mother goddess) showing their respect of local culture. In fact there are Temples known as [Devili] being run by the community in different places, majority of them dedicated to Mother Goddess also known as [Bhoguanthi] in Konkani.One can find Talapulli (procession by ladies carrying oil lamps)in almost every such temple.We can also see the traditional "Hampu" (multistacked brass lamp) found in few Kudumbi temples which are lightened during special pooja days. The reverberating rhythmic beats of Tonya-Melam or Tappu-melam (a tribal form of drum beats) can also be enjoyed during the festivals in many Kudumbi temples.In fact a presentation of Tappu-melam was given by a group of Kudumbis during the state festival in Goa.The Goan legacy is still revered during the community gatherings ,festivals and tour visits to Goa.

Some of the well-known Kudumbi temples in Kerala

Sreenivasa kovil-Tripunithura,Ernakulam
Vilanjoor Bhagavathy temple,Alapuzha
Mallikarjuna Temple-Vypeen,Ernakulam

[edit] Ethnicity

The ethnicity of Kudumbis originates from the Kunbi community of Goa.Kunbi community is one among the farmer comunities who are the part of Kurmi caste found in Northern India. Kudumbi men are usually darker in complexion, having a rugged body built up,sparingly grown bread,raised cheek bones.In fact their physical appearance closely resembles the typical Indian tribal clan indicating their genealogy linked to aboriginal tribes in India.But now due to climatic and morphological changes their physical appearances has undergone variations. Traditionally Kudumbis prefer simple dressing. Elders prefer white Dhoti and shirt. Old women use to wear the saree similar to a tribal outfit, also known as "Guzli". Now it is an outdated outfit. Elderly women still remember the traditional folklores when requested humbly. One can still taste the Kudumbi Cuisine, the "Gessi" being served during functions in the community. Another popular leafy item is the "Patravado" which is highly nutritious and tasty.It is prepared only as special recipe item.Items made from "Avil" or beaten rice is another popular cuisine of the community.Decades back the Maharaja of Travancore was very much pleased with an item made of "Avil and Jaggery".He soon ordered around 40 Kudumbi families from Alapuzha to settle down in Thiruvananthapuram and prepare the Avil for the royal palace.

[edit] Popular Surnames

The popular surnames ie, "Moopan" / "Moorthy" are prevalent in Central Kerala. These surnames are now rarely used because of neo socio-cultural values in the community and dissolution of self identity.