The Malayalis
The people of Kerala call themselves Malayalis, regardless of their religion. For convenience, in France we also use the word Keralais. Tourists trying to understand the rituals and activities in India are often bewildered by the plethora of rules and traditions, which vary depending on who they're talking to and where they're staying. As in the rest of the country, Malay society is so complex and multifaceted that it is difficult to establish common principles of life. If there's one notion that arouses the curiosity of Westerners, it's the existence of castes, a system that is extremely difficult to understand. The family is an essential value in Malay society. Economic, religious, professional, gender, caste, ethnic origin or place of residence differences are all factors that determine the fate of each individual.
Castes in Kerala: a complex system of social hierarchy
Kerala's caste system is based on hierarchical divisions that assign individuals specific social statuses from birth. While the Vedic caste system (derived from Hinduism) generally divided society into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras, in Kerala this caste division was absent. The Malayali Brahmins formed the religious class and regarded all other castes as inferior. The exception to this were the military elites among the Samathan Kshatriya Nairs (feudal elites) and the Nairs (or Nayars). The latter could be ritually promoted to Kshatriya status. In this way, the Samanthans were able to exercise undivided control over the land, as they constituted the aristocratic class. The Ezhavas, an important caste in Kerala, were traditionally associated with agricultural tasks and various liberal professions. Added to this pattern, which persists to this day, is the fact that Kerala's wide social and economic disparities have contributed to the creation of "modern" castes that drive a wedge between rich and poor. In particular, the abundant use of the English language is perceived as an outward sign of wealth. As a general rule, the wealthy person, whatever his or her caste of origin, will feel superior and will denigrate the poor person.
Caste membership influenced all aspects of life in Kerala, including marriage, education, employment and social relations. Inter-caste marriages were historically forbidden, reinforcing social segregation. Members of lower castes were often excluded from education and employment opportunities, limiting their prospects for social mobility. However, over the last few decades, thanks to legal reforms and the desire for change, Malayalam society has gradually opened up to greater social mobility. The government of Kerala has put in place policies and programs to promote the social and economic inclusion of lower castes, with measures such as the establishment of quotas in education and employment to help reduce disparities. Although significant progress has been made in eradicating caste-related injustices, certain challenges remain. Discrimination and attitudes of superiority remain in certain spheres of society. However, many Malayalis have become aware of the need to end discrimination and promote equality. Social movements and non-governmental organizations are working tirelessly to raise awareness and mobilize the population to achieve positive change in the future.
Family
Structure. As in the rest of the country, the family is an essential value in Kerala. A Malayali household often comprises several family members. Up to 5 generations can live under the same roof, sharing daily life, activities and responsibilities. One of the peculiarities of Kerala is that some families from Nair lineages still adopt a matriarchal system; property is passed down from mother to daughter. Other families follow the classical patriarchal system that is widespread throughout India: the father is the undisputed authoritative figure, the eldest son is the heir responsible for family duties within the family and usually takes over the paternal or family business. Some modern families with a comfortable standard of living have a nucleus structure, as in Europe, where only a couple and children live in the same household.
Malayalis generally enjoy a simple, natural lifestyle. They often dress in the traditional way: a simple lungi (cotton cloth) and shirt for men, a sari for women. City dwellers often wear more modern clothes (pants, T-shirts). Education and schooling play an important role in Kerala. The elders also make a point of passing on religious and cultural teachings to the younger generation, ensuring that traditions are preserved for future generations. Cleanliness is an essential quality in the eyes of the Malayali, whether in terms of personal hygiene, clothing, the interior of the home, the front of the house, but also the purity of the self, one's faith, one's conscience... Leading a simple life surrounded by family members, the Malayali is particularly proud of his identity and heritage.
Marriage. Marriage is the most important event in the life of a man or woman in Kerala. Arranged marriages make up the vast majority of unions. Traditionally, parents are responsible for choosing a spouse for their children, and when two people marry, two families are united. The parents' decision takes into account a number of important factors: religion, caste, social position, level of education, family history, the advice of an astrologer... However, "love" marriages are increasingly common among the well-off and highly educated. In Kerala, as in the rest of South India, child marriages are absolutely forbidden and frowned upon. Malayali wedding ceremonies are among the most extravagant in the country. Among the Hindus of Kerala, there are even specific rites to follow that differ from the rest of the country. But as with most Indian weddings, the bride's family has to cover a large part of the wedding expenses (organization, gifts, guests), and they also have to pay the dowry demanded by the groom's family. The latter, on the other hand, is usually content to buy a few presents for the other family. A sumptuous wedding generally enables the bride and her family to raise their social status, and the expenses involved are considerable. A family often goes into debt for many years to provide a worthy wedding for their daughter. Ceremonies involve a large number of people from both families, as well as colleagues, neighbors and others. When the union is declared, the bride leaves to live with the groom's family, who will then be responsible for her. The opportunity to take part in a ceremony may present itself during your trip, as families do not hesitate to invite Western travellers to join in the festivities. The more the merrier..
A state at the forefront of the country
While India is a country where social and economic disparities are significant, Kerala stands out from the other states as top of the class. The "Land of God" has had the country's strongest Human Development Index for some fifteen years, with a score of 0.794 in 2023. Several factors contribute to this high index. Education is an ancient and fundamental value of Malay society, and Kerala today has the highest literacy rate of any Indian state. Its GDP has quadrupled over the last 15 years, giving Malayalis a relatively high standard of living, with over 70% of households connected to the electricity grid and benefiting from running water. Access to healthcare has also been promoted by the government, and the state boasts a well-developed healthcare system and high-quality infrastructure.
Education. The transformation of Kerala's education was first triggered by the efforts of Christian missionaries, then by successive ruling dynasties, who made significant contributions. In the past, local schools (Kalari) taught traditional arts (martial arts, ayurveda), while village schools were more geared towards general education. The British occupation definitively established the modern school system in Kerala. The Ezhuthu palli were village schools with one or two teachers, attended by students from neighboring regions who came to learn languages, literature, mathematics, grammar...
Recognizing the need for a literate population and elementary education as crucial elements in building a strong state, the Kerala government, with the support of the central government, has launched a number of initiatives over the past few decades to encourage elementary education, such as free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14. In addition, a number of governmental organizations and voluntary associations organize courses for illiterate adults. It should be noted that the literacy rate in urban areas is slightly higher than in rural areas. There are also a number of private educational institutions, including schools, colleges and training centers, which contribute to quality educational services.
Kerala was declared a fully literate state in 1991, making it the only state in India where over 90% of the population can read and write. In 2016, Kerala became the first state in the country to achieve 100% primary education, thanks to its Athulyam literacy program, which has made it possible to make the population that has not completed primary school literate. By 2023, according to the Ministry of Education, the literacy rate was 94%, the highest in the country.
