Kinship and marriage regulations among the Namboodiri Brahmans of Kerala

Mencher, Joan P.; Goldberg, Helen

article

Kinship and marriage regulations among the Namboodiri Brahmans of Kerala

Man • 2 (1) • Published In 1967 • Pages: 87-106

By: Mencher, Joan P., Goldberg, Helen.

Abstract
The kinship and marriage practices of the Namboodiri Brahman caste have long been viewed as atypical for the region. Unlike the culturally-related Nayar caste that lived in large, matrilineally-related extended families, Namboodiri Brahmans were organized along clearly defined patrilineal descent groups that excluded females and affinal relatives. Yet, like the Nayars, members of each descent group lived in villages that included residents of other caste and lineage backgrounds. This article attributes this paradox to many unique features of Namboodiri Brahman social structure compared to other Dravidian groups. Among the most important are a strong emphasis on patrilineality and primogeniture, large dowries and a high incidence of exchange marriages, an absence of distinct affinal terms, and the prohibition of cross-cousin marriage.

Status, role, and prestige

Regulation of marriage