THEYYAMS OF MALABAR – MY EXPERIENCES # 6

 

Mappila Theyyams (Female)

Mappila or Mapla is derived from the Arabic word “mawla” means quite simply, a friend.

A non-Arabian friend, to be precise. There are fifteen Mappila Theyyams in total and we have

show-cased three in the last blog. We are presenting three prominent female Mappila Theyyams this time. In spite of the fact that the genre is female, none of these Mappila Theyyams has captivating attire or facial drawings! They are simple and down-to-earth. Just like their male counterparts.

Mappila Theyyams are a great unifier too. Political killings are quite common in south Malabar but they are unheard of, beyond north of Valappattanam River where Mappila Theyyams are clebrated.

Both Hindus and Muslims take part in these rituals with equal commitment and even the expense is more often shared between them!

 The demystification of God is a common characteristic of any Theyyam. The caste hierarchy is broken as all Theyyams whether they are Mappila or not, are enacted by Dalit men belonging to subaltern communities like Vannan, Peruvannan, Malayan and Mavilan. Theyyams are performed in otherwise socially inaccessible places like private temples, tharavadu (house of feudal land-lords) and kaavu (sacred groves). As the Bhagawati Theyyam said to me in one of my earlier encounters, “Nobody is an outsider!”

 In temples, you can’t touch the deity. One needs the intervention of a priest. The interesting point to note is that the Theyyam itself is God personified. Theyyam is the spoken form of “Daivam” which literally means God in Malayalam. One can reach out and touch one’s God. The interaction is direct in Theyyam. Some of the Mappila Theyyams perform Namaz too.

1.       Naithiyar of Ramanthali

 This female Mappila Theyyam is performed at a place called Ramanthali which is the gateway to Naval Academy, Ezhimala. Her mask is made of coconut leaves and the colour of

the theyyam is red. 

Naithiyar Mappila Theyyam

While blessing devotees belonging to Islam, she keeps repeating

“Ente Madayi nagare……”!

One must connect this reference to the arrival of Islam to India circa seventh century A.D.

The first mosque in Malabar was built at a place named Madayi, not very far from Ramanthali.

At the same time, Naithiyar goes one step further and blesses the Hindu devotees as

“Ente odappirannore / koodappirappe…..” (Ah, my own siblings….)

 

2.       Ummachchi Theyyam

This is the story of an impoverished Ummachchi (Muslim woman) approaching the famous Nileswaram  Kovilakam (the abode of the local ruler) in search of a job. She didn’t reveal her true identity and was assigned outside work as a helper. Untouchability was so predominant those days.

Ummachchi mappila theyyam

Once the Nambidi (Chief Manager) of the Kovilakam while taking rounds, found the Muslim woman de-husking rice in an ural (stone grinder) and eating away the bran while doing it.

The act was not unusual for ordinary domestic helps, but the Nambidi feared that the whole batch of processed rice got contaminated on account of the alien touching the rice prepared exclusively for the upper-caste ruler. He snatched the ulakka (the long wooden rod) from the hapless Muslim woman and hit her head with it, killing Ummachchi instantly. Everybody got convinced of the injustice involved and she was elevated to the status of the Theyyam.

The interesting thing about Ummachchi Theyyam is that the villain of the piece, Yogyar Nambidi also make an appearance during the performance. Towards the end of the act, Ummachi dons a purdah.

Ummahchi with rice offering. Ulakka is also seen

Such acts where more than one Theyyam make a simultaneous entry is called Kolathinmel Kolam.

Ummachchi Theyyam is celebrated mainly in Madikkai Kakkatt, Kasargod.

 

3.       Beevi Theyyam

 

Beevi means Ruler-Queen of the only Muslim raajavamsa (kingdom) of Kerala – the Arakkal.

The Arakkal Palace has a lineage of 800 years and still holds considerable influence among the public. Interestingly, the first Beevi of Arakkal was a Hindu princess named Sridevi Thamburatti and she belonged to Chirakkal Kovilakam. She was given in marriage to Arakkal palace with all her share of landed property, gold etc. After embracing Islam, she became the first Beevi of Arakkal Rajavamsam.

 

***********