Malabars
Encyclopedia
Malabars is an appellation originating from the colonial era that was used by Westerners to refer to all the people of South India
(Tamils, Telugu
s, Malayalees and Kannadigas included). The term is based on the Malabar region of the present state of Kerala in India or from the ancient term to refer the southwestern coast
of India.
This term was applied by the Dutch
to designate Tamils of Sri Lanka during the colonial days. This term, or the term Malbar, accordingly was also applied by the French
to Tamil indentured laborers coming to La Réunion
, has been kept by the latter to label their own identity as well until today, even though most have lost the use of Tamil language. There are around 200 000 people of Tamil descent in Reunion Island. They started to be brought from 1848 (official end of slavery in French colonies).
The term Malabar is used in the neighbouring island of Mauritius
to describe North Indian Hindu
s, Lascar is used to describe Muslims and Madrasse (Madras being the capital of Tamil Nadu
) is used to describe Tamils
and Telugus ethnic groups of South India
.
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
(Tamils, Telugu
Telugu people
The Telugu people or Telugu Prajalu are an ethnic group of India. They are the native speakers of the Telugu language, the most commonly spoken language in India after Hindi and Bengali...
s, Malayalees and Kannadigas included). The term is based on the Malabar region of the present state of Kerala in India or from the ancient term to refer the southwestern coast
Malabar Coast
The Malabar Coast is a long and narrow coastline on the south-western shore line of the mainland Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it comprises the wettest regions of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains, especially on their westward-facing mountain...
of India.
This term was applied by the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
to designate Tamils of Sri Lanka during the colonial days. This term, or the term Malbar, accordingly was also applied by the French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
to Tamil indentured laborers coming to La Réunion
Réunion
Réunion is a French island with a population of about 800,000 located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, about south west of Mauritius, the nearest island.Administratively, Réunion is one of the overseas departments of France...
, has been kept by the latter to label their own identity as well until today, even though most have lost the use of Tamil language. There are around 200 000 people of Tamil descent in Reunion Island. They started to be brought from 1848 (official end of slavery in French colonies).
The term Malabar is used in the neighbouring island of Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
to describe North Indian Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s, Lascar is used to describe Muslims and Madrasse (Madras being the capital of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
) is used to describe Tamils
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
and Telugus ethnic groups of South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
.