Book
Marriage and the family in Kerala: with special reference to matrilineal castes
Dept. of Sociology, University of Calgary • Calgary • Published In 1977 • Pages: xvi, 246
By: Puthenkalam, J. (Joseph).
Abstract
This book revisits two major features of marriage and family life among the Nayar and associated matrilineal castes in Kerala: one is a joint matrilocal family, primarily consisting of matrilineally-related women and their children; the other is a culturally-recognized union (but not marriage) that gave men rights to cohabit with women without claiming jural rights over children born of the relationship or a share in the property of the joint matriarchal family. Following the advent of British colonialism, with its expansion of modern education and rising employment opportunities, joint families split into smaller nuclear families, with gender roles and statuses showing striking resemblances to those of patrilineal societies. However, older matrilineal sentiments endured, especially in religion.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2017
- Region
- Asia
- Sub Region
- South Asia
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Anthropologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Teferi Abate Adem
- Field Date
- 1961-1962
- Coverage Date
- 1498-1973
- Coverage Place
- Kerala, India
- Notes
- by Fr. J. Puthenkalam S. J.
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 236-241)
- LCCN
- 79314136
- LCSH
- Matrilineal kinship--India--Kerala (State)
- Marriage customs and rites--India--Kerala (State)
- Nairs--Social life and customs
- Kerala (India)--Social life and customs