The Malayalees with their distinctive personal appearance, marked by fairness of complexion and regularity of features, have clean habits and simple life. In earlier days, the 'Gandharva'system of marriage was popular among Hindus. Marriage alliances have been governed by certain traditional restrictions, the accepted custom was to have marriage with in the caste itself. Today ,Inter- caste and inter-communal marriages are frequent. The system of marrying the 'Murappennu' is prevalent among the Hindus and Muslims, even today.
Matrimonial relations between the relatives are forbidden among Christians. Different communities and castes have developed over centuries, their own typical marriage ceremonies. Hindus , generally compare the horoscope of both the bride and groom before the marriage, the 'Jatakamkoda' (exchange of horoscope).
Tali tying and presentation of cloth "Pudavakoda" in south and "Pudamuri" in north have become an essential ritual of the Hindu marriage. The Tali tying is the most important Christian marriage ceremony conducted in the parish church. The Tali is stringed with a cord made out of 21 threads from the "Manthrakodi" presented to the bride. Among Muslims the actual ceremony is called 'Nikah'.
The father of the bride sits face to face with the bridegroom clasping each other's hands while the Musaliar (priest) announces the conditions of the marriage contract and the bridegroom gives his consent. The Mahar or the dowry is publicly announced. Birth ceremonies 'Namakaranam' the naming ceremony performed with in a month of the Child's birth in hindu families, Chorunu or Annaprasam takes place in the sixth month Vidyarambam or initiation to the world of letters, prevalent even today. They also observe their annual birthday or 'pirannnal' , which is the asterism on which they were born in the Malayalam month.
The 'Mammodisa" or Baptism is an important function on the birth of a child in Christian community.Instead of 'Vidyarambam' the Christians have a ceremony known as 'Ariyiliruthu'. Muslims , on the birth of a child, calls the Mullah or priest who lifts up the child and recites in its ear 1the formula of the prayer ( Vanku) .Then on, pure gold diluted in honey like a paste is administered The circumcision (Markakalyanam or Sunnathkalyanam) is performed in the 12th year Death rituals Hindus, when a person approaches his last moments the junior members of the family assemble around his bed and water is fed to him. On breathing his last, the body is moved to the central courtyard, washed and applied sandal paste and 'Bhasma' (the holy ashes). In certain parts, there is the custom of putting rice and flowers in the dead person's mouth, called 'Vaykari'.
The eldest son sets fire to the body. The Christians on the demise of a person, ties his toes and thumbs with a piece of cloth and a crucifix is placed at the head of the corpse between two lighted candles. The parish priest offers prayers in the house on behalf of the departed spirit. And then the body is taken to the church in procession to be buried in the cemetery and hymns are sung. When a Muslim die, his pillow is removed and new dress are worn.. The corpse ( Mayyath) is washed in warm water and laid on the floor or on the coat covered with white clothes. Rose water is sprinkled all over the place. The mullah sits by the corpse and recites the Quran. Again the body is washed a second time, it is carried in a bier to the mosque where it is buried in the grave, facing Mecca.
