- Samanthan
Samanthans are a class of
Nair s ofKerala . Traditionally they were subordinate to theMalayala Kshatriyas and superior to theKiriyathil Nair s. Most of the customs and ceremonies of the Samanthans are same asNair s. They did not wear the sacred thread or perform Vedic rites. Their women attached the title of "Kovilamma" to their name. Note that they are not be confused with theSamanta Kshatriya s which is the ancient name for theMalayala Kshatriyas .Subdivisons
The chief subdivisions of the Samanthas are as follows [Fawcett. F Nairs of Malabar. Asian Educational Services, NewDelhi. 1990.] :
*Adiyodis
*Eradi s
*Nedungadi s
*Pandalas
*Unniyathiris
*Vallodis
*Nayanar
*NambiarPosition
They were mostly Nair chiefs from
Malabar who fled toTravancore during the invasion ofTipu Sultan ofMysore Fact|date=March 2008. The Unniyathiris and Pandalas were the oldest with their seats in the towns of Vaikom and Ettumannor respectively. TheEradi s, Vallodis andNedungadi s were chiefs from the areas of Eranad, Walluvanad and Nedunganad respectively. The Unniyathiris claim to be the highest among the Samanthas since the "ThaliKettu Kalyanam " of their girls is done by an "Aryapattar" unlike the Illayatu of the other Samanthans.Kavalappara Swaroopam and theKuthiravattth Muppil Nairs are two other ruling dynasties claimingCheraman Perumal s ancestry.Manners and Customs
Their manners and customs closely resemble those of the
Nair s. In fact it seems that they are merely Nair chiefs like other royals claiming descent from the Cheras as there is no authentic evidence excepting a few stories to support their claims. Their houses were generally called "Madhoms" or in case of powerful chiefs " Kottarams" (Palace). Male members hadSambandham s withNair ladies while females hadSambandham withNamboodiri s.References
*1. Fawcett.F Nairs of Malabar. Asian Educational Services, NewDelhi. 1990.
*2. Travancore State Manual by V. Nagam Aiya
*3. Travancore State Manual by Velu PillaiSee also
*
Nair
*Kerala
*Malayala Kshatriyas
*Namboodiri s
*Sambandham
*Kettu Kalyanam
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