article

Female initiation rites on the Malabar Coast

Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland85 • Published In 1955 • Pages: 45-80

By: Gough, Kathleen.

Abstract
This paper presents a lengthy discussion of the similarities and differences in a form of ritual marriage for prepubescent girls between four regional caste groups, each with a different kinship system: the matrilineal, uxorilocal Nayars of central Kerala (South Malabar and Cochin); the matrilineal, virilocal Nayars of northern Kerala (North Malabar); the matrilineal, virilocal Tiyyars of northern Kerala; and the double unilineal, patrilocal Tiyyars of central Kerala. The findings are summarized in a chart. The author interprets the rite from the standpoint of psychoanalytic theory, in particular a theory of repressed incestuous desires.
Subjects
Basis of marriage
Regulation of marriage
Mode of marriage
Nuptials
Special unions and marriages
Castes
Rule of descent
Residence
Provinces
Cultural participation
Lineages
Military organization
Polygamy
Sexual intercourse
Puberty and initiation
Revelation and divination
Spirits and gods
culture
Kerala
HRAF PubDate
2017
Region
Asia
Sub Region
South Asia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle; 1966
Field Date
1947-1949
Coverage Date
1510-1949
Coverage Place
northern and central Kerala, India
Notes
E. Kathleen Gough
Includes bibliographical references (p. 80)
LCCN
sn 79006341
LCSH
Kerala (India)