Mamankam festival
Encyclopedia
Thirunavaya
Thirunavaya is a small village in Malappuram district of Kerala, south India. This village is famed as the theatre of the Mamankam festival held in the Thirunavaya Temple on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River....
, Malabar coast, south India, in the present day state of Kerala from the time of Kulasekharas (Cheras) in every 12 years until 18th century, mostly remembered for the bloody battles occurred during the festivals. Mamankam festival was a great trade fair from the Sangam period where traders from around the world came through Ponnani Port by ships and barges.
At the end of the rule of Kulasekharas, the right of Mamankam passed to the kings of Perumpadappu and then to the Hindu Nair rulers of Valluvanad. Later the Samoothiri of Kozhikode
Kozhikode
Kozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
defeated the Valluvanad rulers in Thirunavaya Wars (14th century AD) and resulting in a dispute and bloodshed between these two rulers. Sammothiri, though was another Hindu Nair, had a large support of the Muslim Arab merchants which, the ruler of Valluvanad didn't had. The Samoothiri declared himself as Maharakshapurusha of the temple in Thiruavaya. From this day, Valluvanad king began to send Chaver Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
s to fight until death, and to recapture the right from the Samoothiri, who would stand poised at Nilapadu thara in Thriunavaya, surrounded by a large contingent of warriors.
The last of such Mamankam festival, was believed to be held in 1755, when Zamorin had a hair-breadth escape from a chaver aged 16 named Putumanna Kandaru Menon
Putumanna Kandaru Menon
Putumanna Kandaru Menon was a Nair Chaver hailing from the Putumanna Panikkar family who died during the 1766 Mamankam. At the time of his death, he was 16 years old Putumanna Kandaru Menon (1750–1766) was a Nair Chaver (Suicide attacker) hailing from the Putumanna Panikkar family who died during...
.
Etymology
Originally derived from the word, 'Maha-MaghaMaagha
Maagha is a month of the Hindu calendar. In India's national civil calendar, Maagh is the eleventh month of the year, beginning in January and ending in February....
' , literally, Great Magha, with Magha
Maagha
Maagha is a month of the Hindu calendar. In India's national civil calendar, Maagh is the eleventh month of the year, beginning in January and ending in February....
being a month in the Hindu calendar
Hindu calendar
The hindu calendar used in ancient times has undergone many changes in the process of regionalization, and today there are several regional Indian calendars, as well as an Indian national calendar. Nepali calendar, Bengali calendar, Malayalam calendar, Tamil calendar, Telugu calendar, Kannada...
, which was later apapted into Malayalam, as Mamankam and in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
as Mamangam.
Background
After the disintegration of the Kulasekharas, most of their provinces became independent, giving rise to numerous Nair city states along the coast of Malabar. The Perumpadappu kingdom and then Valluvanad owned the right conduct the Mamankam festival as Maharakshapurusha. After acquiring the Polanad state, the Saamoothiri turned his attention to other states around him. Between 1353–1361 AD, the Saamoothiri Raja fought a series of small battles with smaller states called the Thirunavaya WarThirunavaya War
Thirunavaya Wars were a series of battles between the Saamoothiri Raja and the kingdoms of Perumpadappu and Walluvanad. The Saamoothiri was successful in capturing Thirunavaya and Vanneri and he styled himself as Rakshapurusha...
s. As Thirunavaya was captured, Saamoothiri proclaimed himself as the Rakshāpurusha (protector) and took over sole right of conducting the Mamankam festival. The next Mamankam at Thirunavaya was conducted under the auspices of Saamoothiri with great pomp and splendor.
During the Mamankam festival, all other kings used to send flags as a symbol of regard to the Saamoothiri at Thirunavaya. But Valluvakkonathiri who did not recognize the Saamoothiri as the legitimate Rakshapurusha but considered him only a usurper used to send Chavers instead. If these men could kill the Saamoothiri, who was protected by thousands of soldiers, the right of Rakshapurusha would have devolved on the Walluvanad
Walluvanad
This article is about an erstwhile Nair feudal state in Kerala, India, for ancient Dravidian people of Valluvar, see Valluvar or Valluvanadu...
Raja. These Chaavers were sworn soldiers who preferred death to defeat, and who sacrificed their lives to avenge the death of Valluvanad princes in the Thirunavaya war. The death of the Vellaattiri princes also started a period of intense hatred and war between the two kingdoms which paved the way for the diminishing the power of Valluvanad. Kudippaka or blood feud was prevalent in the society. If a Nair was killed (In his attempt to assassinate the Samoothiri), it was the duty of the relatives or even the subsequent generations of the deceased to avenge the death. So, Most of these Chaver soldiers had lost their relatives or elders in previous wars with the Saamoothiri, and were fuelled by 'kudippaka' (blood feud
Blood Feud
"Blood Feud" is the twenty-second and final episode of The Simpsons second season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on July 11, 1991. In the episode, Mr. Burns falls ill and desperately needs a blood transfusion. Homer discovers Bart has Burns' rare blood type and urges...
). They came from various parts of Valluvanad, assembled at Thirumanthamkunnu under Vellaattiri, and were led by commanders from one of the four houses.
Further details were provided by Willian Logan and Hamilton about the Mamankam of 1683 and 1695 respectively.
Vellaattiri, after losing Thirunavaya and the right of the Rakshapurusha, began to conduct the Pooram festival in the place of Mamankam, at Angadipuram
Angadipuram
Angadipuram is a town, important pilgrimage center for Hindus, and a suburb of Perinthalmanna located 1.5 km from Perinthalmanna taluk headquarters, in Malappuram District of Kerala, southern India on the Chennai-Calicut road. Angadipuram was the capital of the powerful medieval kingdom of...
(Walluvappally), his capital. Here in the temple of his tutelary deity Thirumanthamkunnu Bhagavathi, he stood on a raised granite platform from where in the olden days his predecessors started the procession to Thirunavaya for the Mamankam festival in peace. It was from here that the Chavers were sent to the Mamankam festival afterwards when Saamoothiri occupied it.
The war of Thirunavaya was not the end of Saamoothiri's aggression on Walluvanad
Walluvanad
This article is about an erstwhile Nair feudal state in Kerala, India, for ancient Dravidian people of Valluvar, see Valluvar or Valluvanadu...
. He continued his attacks on Vellaattiri. But he encountered stiff resistance and the fights went on in a protracted and sporadic fashion for a long time. (Kunnathattil Madambil Nair (Nair of Mannarghat) was the desavazhi who looked after the affairs of the eastern boundary and hilly areas of Vellattiri. Chondathil Mannadiar (Puthumanna Panicker
Putumanna Panikkar
Putumanna Panikkar is one of the most prominent Nair families in the Valluvanad area of Kerala. The Chavers from Valluvanad taking part in the Mamankam were always led by the Nairs from the Putumanna Panikkar family...
) and Nair of Kavada were other chiefs under him. This council of great men was a huge challenge to Saamoothiri even during times when mutual rivalries weakened the Vellaattiri Swaroopam.)
Saamoothiri followed a policy of appeasing the feudatories of Vellaattiri and conferring upon them the areas they originally held under Vellaattiri. He was able to win over Dharmoth Panicker, Nair of Pulappatta and Nair of Kavalappara to his side one by one. Thus Saamoothiri gradually became the master of Malappuram, Nilambur, Vallappanattukara and Manjeri, which were under these feudal lords. Eralpad (Saamoothiri prince) now began to rule these areas as supreme commander over them, with Karimpuzha as his base. But Saamoothiri faced defeat in the next attack on Perumpadappu. The Perumpadappu Rajas appealed to their ally Vellaattiri for assistance. Their combined army resisted Saamoothiri's forces and a bloody war ensued for three days, at the end of which Saamoothiri's army was on the retreat.
Participating Families
After the capture of Thirunavaya by Samoothiri, the festival often turned into battlefields. The Chavers (Suicide squad) to assassninate the Samoothiri participating from the kingdom of Valluvanad hailed from the four of the most important NairNair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
families of Valluvanad. These families were:
- Putumana Panikkars
- Chandrath Panikkars
- Kokat Panikkars
- Verkot Panikkars
A total of 18 deshavazhis (Governors) of Valluvanadu went to the Mamankam festival, led by the lead Nair from each of the four main families. Apart from the four lead warriors, the other 14 hailed from the following families (Swaroopams):
Two Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
s from unknown Valluvanad families, Two Nambuthiris from Valluvanad, Two Moopil Nair
Moopil Nair
Moopil Nair is the term used to denote Nair Naduvazhis and Desavazhis of tiny feudal kingdoms on the Malabar Coast, present day Kerala state, South India. Moopil Nairs belonged to the Samanthan Nair subcaste of the Nair caste in the Hindu Caste system...
s from the Valluvanad Royal House, Achan
Achan(Nair Subcaste)
Achan is a title used by a Nair clan, found mostly in Kerala, India. The title was used by Nair feudal lords and were awarded to those Nairs who excelled in martial arts by the maharajahs of Travancore and Malabar...
of Elampulakkad, Variar
Variar
Warrier is a South Indian, Hindu caste of the Ambalavasi community from Kerala, India. They are engaged to assist the Namboodiri priests in temple-related chores, primarily catering to the floral requirements and daily maintenance of the temple. Variars form an intermediate between Dwija and...
of Kulathur, Pisharody
Pisharody
Pisharody is a sub-caste of the Pushpaka Brahmin caste in Kerala. As Vaishnavite Brahmins, Pisharodys were traditionally caretakers of Hindu temples, with temple related jobs and hence clubbed under Ambalavasis...
of Uppamkalathil, Vellodi of Pathiramana, Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
of Parakkatt, Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
of Kakkoott, Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
of Mannarmala & Pisharody
Pisharody
Pisharody is a sub-caste of the Pushpaka Brahmin caste in Kerala. As Vaishnavite Brahmins, Pisharodys were traditionally caretakers of Hindu temples, with temple related jobs and hence clubbed under Ambalavasis...
of Cherukara. Out of the 18 deshavazhis, 13 were Nairs (Mostly Menon Panicker
Menon
Menon is a clan of the Nair community of Kerala and was an honorific hereditary title to be used as an affix to the name and investituted by the Sāmudiri Rāja on certain members of Kiryathil and Akattu Charna classes of Nairs. Menons who belonged to the Kiriyathil were Vassals to the Kings. The...
section of Kiryathil Nair
Kiryathil Nair
Kiryathil Nair or Kiriyathil Nair is a subcaste of the Nair community who traditionally lived in the region now known as Kerala, India. The 17th century Keralolpathi states them to be descendants of warrior Nāga tribes who came to Kerala from the north along the western coast...
subcaste), 2 were Namboothiri Brahmins and 3 were Ambalavasi
Ambalavasi
Ambalavasi is a generic name for a collection of castes among Hindus in Kerala who render temple services.-Etymology:The term Ambalavasi is derived from two Malayalam words, being Ambalam and Vasi...
Brahmins.
The ruler of Valluvanadu hailed from the Vellattiri subdivision of Samanthan Nair subcaste, and held the title of "Moopil Nair
Moopil Nair
Moopil Nair is the term used to denote Nair Naduvazhis and Desavazhis of tiny feudal kingdoms on the Malabar Coast, present day Kerala state, South India. Moopil Nairs belonged to the Samanthan Nair subcaste of the Nair caste in the Hindu Caste system...
". Zamorin belonged to the Eradi
Eradi
Eradi is a Samanthan Nair clan of Kshatriya origin, coming from the Indian state of Kerala. The word is derived from the place name Eranad in Kerala. The "Samoothiri" comes from this Eradi subcaste, now assimilated to Nair, the major upper caste of state of Kerala. Historically the Eradis numbered...
subdivision of Samanthan Nair subcaste.
1683 - Mamankam festival
Account of Chaver attack at Mamankam of this year given by Logan - "Amid much din and firing of guns the Morituri, the Chaver Nairs, the elect of four Nair houses in Waluvanad, step forth from the crowd and receive the last blessings and farewells of their friends and relatives. They have just partaken of the last meal they are to eat on earth at the house of the temple representative of their chieftain; they are decked with garlands and smeared with ashes. On this particular occasion it is one of the houses of Putumana Panikkar who heads the fray. He is joined by seventeen of his friends - for all who so wish may fall in with sword and target in support of the men who have elected to die.Armed with swords and targets alone they rush at the spearmen thronging the palisades; they wind and turn their bodies, as if they had no bones, casting them forward and backward, high and low, even to the astonishment of the beholders, as worthy Master Johnson describes them in a passage already quoted. But notwithstanding the suppleness of their limbs, notwithstanding their delight and skill and dexterity in weapons, the result is inevitable, and is prosaically recorded in the chronicle thus: The number of Chavers who came and died in the early morning the next day after the elephant began to be adorned with gold trappings - being Putumana Kantaru Menon and followers - was 18.
At various times during the ten last days of the festival the same thing is repeated. Whenever the Zamorin takes his stand on the terrace, assumes the sword and shakes it, men rush forth from the crowd on the west temple gate only to be impaled on the spears of the guardsmen who relieve each other from day to day."
1695 - Mamankam festival
About the next Mamankam from 'New Accounts of the East Indies' by Captain Alexander Hamilton, Chapter XV :- "In Anno 1695, one of these jubilees happened when the tent was pitched near Ponnany, a seaport of his (Samoothiri's) about 15 leagues to the southward of Calicut. There were but three men that would venture on that desperate action, who fell on with sword and target, among the guards, and after they had killed and wounded many, were themselves killed. One of the desperadoes had a nephew of fifteen or sixteen years of age, that kept close by his uncle in the attack on the guard, and when he saw him fall, the youth got through the guard into the tent and made a stroke at His Majesty's head and had certainly despatched him, if a large brass lamp which was burning over his head, had not marred the blow; but before he could make another he was killed by the Mangatchhan's guards, and I believe the same Samoothiri reigns yet. I chanced to come that time along the coast and heard the guns for two or three days and nights successively."The 15 year old boy mentioned was Chandrath Panicker (Chandrathil Chanthunni Menon).
Mamankam in 1999
Mamankam was again organised in 1999 under the guidance of NM Namboodiri managed by his friend Mr. Gireesan K.
Further reading
- Mamangam Festival Appreciation of India Art: Ideals and Images, by C.P. Sinha, U.C. Dwivedi. Published by Sura Books, 2006. ISBN 8174781757, 9788174781758. Page 16.