Nawayath
Encyclopedia
The Nawayaths are a small Muslim
community concentrated mostly in coastal Uttara Kannada
. It is an ethnic society, having its own unique traditions and distinct cultural identity. The Nawayathi community holds an important place among the other coastal Muslim communities, like Beary
's of the Uttara Kannada district, Mappilas (Moplahs) of the Malabar coast
and Labbay
of the Coromandel coast
. There are smaller distributed pockets of Nawayaths in Bhatkal
, Murdeshwar, Kumta
, Manki
, Upponi
, Honnavar, Byndoor
, Gangolli
, Shiroor
, Hoode, Malpe
and Basrur
in Karnataka
and in Arcot district in Tamil Nadu
. Meenambur, a small village close to Gingee
south of Madras in Tamil Nadu
, is the largest of these. Navyaths also found in Dewas District
of Madhya Pradesh
also in Indore
, Ujjain
, Dhar District
of Madhya Pradesh
. Many have migrated to Pakistan
after independence in 1947 and have predominantly settled in Karachi
, Sindh
. In Pakistan
, Nawayath community speak Nawayathi as mother tongue. Majority of Nawayaths are involved in Small & Medium businesses.
They trace their ancestry back to the Arab
and Persian traders who arrived on the Western coast of South India
during the medieval era. The Nawayaths are spread around India and the rest of the world. They maintain their strong sense of community and identity. There is a large Nawayath diaspora community of economic migrants working in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf
.
The Nawayaths belong to the Sunni Shafi'i
school of Islamic jurisprudence, unlike most Indian Muslims who generally adhere to the Sunni Hanafi
school.
since time immemorial. These authors are unanimous in their opinion that the Navayaths are eigther of Arab or Persian stock but hold divergent opinions about their actual place of origin and the reasons for their exodus from the Persian Gulf. Colonel Wilkes states that the Navayaths belong to the House of Hashem. In the early part of 8th century AD during the fearful reign of Hajaj bin Yusuf, the Governor of Iraq under the Caliph Abd-Al-Malik Marwan, many respectable and opulent persons fled Iraq fearing persecution. It is believed that they followed the route their fellow Arabs took for trade, anchoring on the west coast at several points. "While there may be some among the Navayaths whose ancestry can be traced to those who fled Iraq during Hajaj bin Yusuf’s time not all ancestors are of that type", writes Victor D’ Souza in his book "Navayaths of Kanara"(1955).
SK Lal writes in the "Legacy of Arab Dynasty in India" that although Hajaj bin Yusuf was only the Governor of Iraq his influence and rule extended even to Persian speaking regions. Thus the Arabs and Persian traders carried on their commerce together, resulting in Persian influence in the coastal Indo-Muslim colonies.
Another theory relates Navayaths to Iranians based on the influence of the Persian language
on the language spoken by the Navayaths and Persian elements in Navayaths culture, there is also the presence of an Iranian graveyard in bhatkal and most of the surname are Iranians which can be traced back to Iran even today; another theory postulates that the Navayath community traces its lineage to Yemen from a noble group called Na’at in Hadramawt, Yemen
. They sailed through the Arabian Sea with the intention of trade with India. Both Hadramawt and Bhatkal are at 15 degrees of latitude.
It is also claimed that integration of Arabs with the locals led to the Navayath community. D’ Souza writes, "The Arab sailors and traders who came to India have generated Muslim communities in different parts of India. Among them at least three different communities are known by the generic name of ‘Navayath’. It has been found that Navayaths are scattered in Pakistan, Srilanka, Hyderabad, Tamil Nadu, Nellore, Arcot, Kolar, Hassan, Goa, Daman,Diu and Ratnagiri. These Navayaths unlike the Navayaths of Bhatkal (about whom this article deals with) have totally adopted the local culture and speak Urdu Or the local language.
, Arabic, Marathi
and Hindi
with Konkani
as its base. The Navayath language uses Persian script for writing,it is interesting to note that "Persian script" was being used to write by the Nawayti's long before the language Urdu came into existence.
Some of common Navayathi family names are: Ekkery, Ajaib, Ali Akbara, Alikku, Askery, Akrami, Armar, Aydrusa, Baandeh, Barmawar, Bengre,Bhatti, Bota, Chamundi, Dabapu, Damda, Damdemanna, Damudi, Dawalji, Dhinda, Durga, Fakerde, Faqqi Bhao, Fakhroo,Gaima, Gangawali, Gawai, Goltey, Guda Manna, Hajeeb, Hattulbe, Hejib, Ismailji (Keppa), Jakti, Jeddy, Jiddah, Jushiddi, Kadli, Kak Mohiddina (KM), Kasargod, Katangiri, Kazi, Kazia, Kelair, Kobatte, Kola, Karani, Koteshwar, Kashimji, Khateeb, Khattal, Khazi, Lowna, Nouda, Maddas, Mahammdu Jaupa (MJ), Manna, Manegar, Mawda, Mohammada, Mohtesham, Motiya, Moulavi, Muallim, Muhammad Habibi (MH), Mulla, Muniri, Musba, Naitey, Nakhuda, Nilawar, Peshmam, Patel, Qazi, Quazi, Ruknuddin, Ruknuddin Shekrey (RS), Ruknuddin Shipai (RS), Sada, Sawda, Shahbandri, Shahbandri Patel (SP), Shakir, Shingeri, Shingeti, Showpa, Siddi Ahmada, Siddibapa, Siddiqua, Siddique, Sukri, Syed Jamaluddina (SJ), Syed Moheddina (SM), Syed Kazmi (SK),Udyawar, Zangi etc.
.
Women have generally adopted the local way of dressing, however they observe strict Burkah (Islamic Veil). Anklets and nose studs are not a common practice. In fact its discouraged.
(Ramadan) and Eid ul-Adha
(also known as Bakrid) are celebrated. Special Eid prayer
is offered during these two occasions. Bhatkal City has a centralised Eidgah
in Bunder Road where congregational special prayers or Salat al Eid
is held. Usually in the central Eidgah the Qadhi leads the Eid prayer and delivers Khutba
. Colourful costumes, delicious food, exchanging the Eid greetings - Eid Mubarak
(Arabic/Persian/Urdu: عید مبارک) and generous charity to the poor and needy are part of Eid celebration. Other occasions celebrated are 12th Rabi' al-awwal
of the third month of Islamic calendar
commemorating Meelad-al-Nabi - prophet Muhammad
's birthday. Moon citation is an event of rejoice for Nawayathi folk.
Seafood
has been the mainstay of the Nawayathi diet for centuries.
Meat and rice are other staple foods; Beef and Poultry are the more favored meats, then goat and lamb.
Popular beverage is tea, which can be supplemented with cardamom or mint to give them a distinct flavor.
Muslims are prohibited from eating pork
, so it is not included in local menus.
Alcohol
is prohibited in hotel and restaurants.
Dishes forming part of the Bhatkali cuisine:
Mooga Godan (Green gram kheer), Macaroni Godan (Coconut milk and macaroni kheer), Amatya Godan (Hog Plums Kheer)
And varieties of Appos (Pancakes)
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
community concentrated mostly in coastal Uttara Kannada
Uttara Kannada
Uttara Kannada also known as North Canara or North Kanara, is a district in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is bordered by the state of Goa and Belgaum District to the north, Dharwad District and Haveri District to the east, Shimoga District and Udupi District to the south and the...
. It is an ethnic society, having its own unique traditions and distinct cultural identity. The Nawayathi community holds an important place among the other coastal Muslim communities, like Beary
Beary
The Beary is a small Muslim community concentrated mostly in coastal South Kanara , in the district of Karnataka, a south Indian state. It is an ethnic society, having its own unique traditions and distinct cultural identity...
's of the Uttara Kannada district, Mappilas (Moplahs) of the Malabar 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...
and Labbay
Labbay
Labbay, Labbai, Labba, Labbabeen is an Islamic community from southern India. A trading community spread through the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Labbays follow either the Hanafi or Shafi'i school of Fiqh.-Identity and origins:Their name is derived from the...
of the Coromandel coast
Coromandel Coast
The Coromandel Coast is the name given to the southeastern coast of the Indian Subcontinent between Cape Comorin and False Divi Point...
. There are smaller distributed pockets of Nawayaths in Bhatkal
Bhatkal
Bhatkal is also known as Batecala in some historical text especially in Portuguese history.Once ruled by Jain King Bhattakalanka and thus the name. Bhatkal is a port town in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India 126 km from Karwar. The town lies on NH-17 running between Mumbai and Mangalore...
, Murdeshwar, Kumta
Kumta
- External links :*...
, Manki
Honavar
Honavar or Honnavar , is a port town in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India. The town is the headquarters of Honnavar taluk.- History :...
, Upponi
Honavar
Honavar or Honnavar , is a port town in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India. The town is the headquarters of Honnavar taluk.- History :...
, Honnavar, Byndoor
Byndoor
Byndoor is a village in Kundapura Taluk of Udupi district in the state of Karnataka, India. It lies on the National Highway NH-17Sri Someshwara temple is one of the most beautiful temples located on the seashore. It is 45 km from Maravanthe...
, Gangolli
Gangolli
Gangolli is an Indian village in the Kundapura taluk of Udupi. It is situated across the river Pancha Gangaval from the town of Kundapura. It is located on a peninsula on the west coast of Karnataka...
, Shiroor
Shiroor
Shirur or Shiroor is a village in Udupi district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The national highway number 17 connecting Panvel to Eranakulam passes through this village...
, Hoode, Malpe
Malpe
Malpe is a natural port about six kilometers to the west of Udupi, Karnataka, India. An important port and fishing harbor on the Karnataka coast, Malpe is situated at the mouth of the Udyavara river. It is a suburb in Udupi city and is administerd by Udupi City Municipality...
and Basrur
Basrur
Basrur / Basroor is a village in Kundapur taluk in Udupi district of Karnataka.Historically Basrur was also called as Barcelor, Barcalor, Basnur, Bares, Abu-Sarur and Barsellor.-History:...
in Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
and in Arcot district in 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...
. Meenambur, a small village close to Gingee
Gingee
Gingee is a panchayat town in Viluppuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The nearest town with a railway station is Tindivanam, 28 km away....
south of Madras in 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 the largest of these. Navyaths also found in Dewas District
Dewas District
Dewas District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The town of Dewas is the district headquarters.The district has an area 7,020 km², and a population 1,306,617 , an increase of 26% since 1991....
of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
also in Indore
Indore
Indore is one of the major city in India, the largest city and commercial center of the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. Indore is located 190 km west of the state capital Bhopal. According to the 2011 Indian census, Indore city has a population of 1,960,631...
, Ujjain
Ujjain
Ujjain , is an ancient city of Malwa region in central India, on the eastern bank of the Kshipra River , today part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the administrative centre of Ujjain District and Ujjain Division.In ancient times the city was called Ujjayini...
, Dhar District
Dhar District
Dhar district is a district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The historic town of Dhar is administrative headquarters of the district....
of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
. Many have migrated to Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
after independence in 1947 and have predominantly settled in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
. In Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, Nawayath community speak Nawayathi as mother tongue. Majority of Nawayaths are involved in Small & Medium businesses.
They trace their ancestry back to the Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
and Persian traders who arrived on the Western coast 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...
during the medieval era. The Nawayaths are spread around India and the rest of the world. They maintain their strong sense of community and identity. There is a large Nawayath diaspora community of economic migrants working in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf
Arab states of the Persian Gulf
"Arab states of the Persian Gulf" or "Arab Persian Gulf states" or "Persian Gulf Arab states" or "Arabic Persian Gulf states" or "Arab States of The Gulf", are terms that refer to the six Arab states of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, bordering the Persian Gulf....
.
The Nawayaths belong to the Sunni Shafi'i
Shafi'i
The Shafi'i madhhab is one of the schools of fiqh, or religious law, within the Sunni branch of Islam. The Shafi'i school of fiqh is named after Imām ash-Shafi'i.-Principles:...
school of Islamic jurisprudence, unlike most Indian Muslims who generally adhere to the Sunni Hanafi
Hanafi
The Hanafi school is one of the four Madhhab in jurisprudence within Sunni Islam. The Hanafi madhhab is named after the Persian scholar Abu Hanifa an-Nu‘man ibn Thābit , a Tabi‘i whose legal views were preserved primarily by his two most important disciples, Abu Yusuf and Muhammad al-Shaybani...
school.
History of origin
Jaffer Shariff (Qanoon-e-Islam), Colonel Wilkes (History of Mysore, vol 1), and the Imperial Gazetteer of India translate Nawayath as ‘New Comers’ (from Persian نوآید 'Nawāyad' which means newcomer). People from the Persian Gulf had established sustained trade relations with west coast of Arabian SeaArabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
since time immemorial. These authors are unanimous in their opinion that the Navayaths are eigther of Arab or Persian stock but hold divergent opinions about their actual place of origin and the reasons for their exodus from the Persian Gulf. Colonel Wilkes states that the Navayaths belong to the House of Hashem. In the early part of 8th century AD during the fearful reign of Hajaj bin Yusuf, the Governor of Iraq under the Caliph Abd-Al-Malik Marwan, many respectable and opulent persons fled Iraq fearing persecution. It is believed that they followed the route their fellow Arabs took for trade, anchoring on the west coast at several points. "While there may be some among the Navayaths whose ancestry can be traced to those who fled Iraq during Hajaj bin Yusuf’s time not all ancestors are of that type", writes Victor D’ Souza in his book "Navayaths of Kanara"(1955).
SK Lal writes in the "Legacy of Arab Dynasty in India" that although Hajaj bin Yusuf was only the Governor of Iraq his influence and rule extended even to Persian speaking regions. Thus the Arabs and Persian traders carried on their commerce together, resulting in Persian influence in the coastal Indo-Muslim colonies.
Another theory relates Navayaths to Iranians based on the influence of the Persian language
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
on the language spoken by the Navayaths and Persian elements in Navayaths culture, there is also the presence of an Iranian graveyard in bhatkal and most of the surname are Iranians which can be traced back to Iran even today; another theory postulates that the Navayath community traces its lineage to Yemen from a noble group called Na’at in Hadramawt, Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
. They sailed through the Arabian Sea with the intention of trade with India. Both Hadramawt and Bhatkal are at 15 degrees of latitude.
It is also claimed that integration of Arabs with the locals led to the Navayath community. D’ Souza writes, "The Arab sailors and traders who came to India have generated Muslim communities in different parts of India. Among them at least three different communities are known by the generic name of ‘Navayath’. It has been found that Navayaths are scattered in Pakistan, Srilanka, Hyderabad, Tamil Nadu, Nellore, Arcot, Kolar, Hassan, Goa, Daman,Diu and Ratnagiri. These Navayaths unlike the Navayaths of Bhatkal (about whom this article deals with) have totally adopted the local culture and speak Urdu Or the local language.
Language
The Community speaks a dialect called ‘Nawayathi’. It is an amalgam of PersianPersian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
, Arabic, Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
and Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
with Konkani
Konkani language
KonkaniKonkani is a name given to a group of several cognate dialects spoken along the narrow strip of land called Konkan, on the west coast of India. This is, however, somewhat an over-generalisation. Geographically, Konkan is defined roughly as the area between the river Damanganga to the north...
as its base. The Navayath language uses Persian script for writing,it is interesting to note that "Persian script" was being used to write by the Nawayti's long before the language Urdu came into existence.
Family names
Nawayathi family names are distincty different from the Urdu speaking people of the area.Some of common Navayathi family names are: Ekkery, Ajaib, Ali Akbara, Alikku, Askery, Akrami, Armar, Aydrusa, Baandeh, Barmawar, Bengre,Bhatti, Bota, Chamundi, Dabapu, Damda, Damdemanna, Damudi, Dawalji, Dhinda, Durga, Fakerde, Faqqi Bhao, Fakhroo,Gaima, Gangawali, Gawai, Goltey, Guda Manna, Hajeeb, Hattulbe, Hejib, Ismailji (Keppa), Jakti, Jeddy, Jiddah, Jushiddi, Kadli, Kak Mohiddina (KM), Kasargod, Katangiri, Kazi, Kazia, Kelair, Kobatte, Kola, Karani, Koteshwar, Kashimji, Khateeb, Khattal, Khazi, Lowna, Nouda, Maddas, Mahammdu Jaupa (MJ), Manna, Manegar, Mawda, Mohammada, Mohtesham, Motiya, Moulavi, Muallim, Muhammad Habibi (MH), Mulla, Muniri, Musba, Naitey, Nakhuda, Nilawar, Peshmam, Patel, Qazi, Quazi, Ruknuddin, Ruknuddin Shekrey (RS), Ruknuddin Shipai (RS), Sada, Sawda, Shahbandri, Shahbandri Patel (SP), Shakir, Shingeri, Shingeti, Showpa, Siddi Ahmada, Siddibapa, Siddiqua, Siddique, Sukri, Syed Jamaluddina (SJ), Syed Moheddina (SM), Syed Kazmi (SK),Udyawar, Zangi etc.
Attire
Navayathi men are generally light skinned, and their attire consists of Jubba (A shirt almost knee length)/ Shirt, and lungiLungi
The Lungi , also known as a sarong , is a traditional garment worn around the waist in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Horn of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula...
.
Women have generally adopted the local way of dressing, however they observe strict Burkah (Islamic Veil). Anklets and nose studs are not a common practice. In fact its discouraged.
Festivals
The traditional Islamic festivals of Eid ul-FitrEid ul-Fitr
Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Fitr, Id-ul-Fitr, or Id al-Fitr , often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting . Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity," while Fiṭr means "breaking the fast"...
(Ramadan) and Eid ul-Adha
Eid ul-Adha
Eid al-Adha or "Festival of Sacrifice" or "Greater Eid" is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened to provide him with a sheep— to sacrifice...
(also known as Bakrid) are celebrated. Special Eid prayer
Eid Prayer
The Eid prayer was prescribed in the first year after the hijra. It is Wajib and Muhammad always performed these prayers.-Procedure:...
is offered during these two occasions. Bhatkal City has a centralised Eidgah
Eidgah
Eidgah or Idgah is an open-air mosque usually outside the city to perform Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha salah.It was a practice of Prophet Muhammad to perform Eid Salaah in Eidgah at the outskirts of the city...
in Bunder Road where congregational special prayers or Salat al Eid
Salat al Eid
Salat al Eid also known as Salat al Eidain is the special prayer offered to commemorate two Islamic festivals. Both the Eids are collectively known as Eidain in Arabic language...
is held. Usually in the central Eidgah the Qadhi leads the Eid prayer and delivers Khutba
Khutba
Khutbah serves as the primary formal occasion for public preaching in the Islamic tradition.Such sermons occur regularly, as prescribed by the teachings of all legal schools. The Islamic tradition can be formally at the dhuhr congregation prayer on Friday...
. Colourful costumes, delicious food, exchanging the Eid greetings - Eid Mubarak
Eid Mubarak
Eid Mubarak is a traditional Muslim greeting reserved for use on the festivals of Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr. The phrase translates into English as "blessed festival", and can be paraphrased as "may you enjoy a blessed festival" Muslims wish each other Eid Mubarak after performing the Eid prayer...
(Arabic/Persian/Urdu: عید مبارک) and generous charity to the poor and needy are part of Eid celebration. Other occasions celebrated are 12th Rabi' al-awwal
Rabi' al-awwal
Rabi' al-awwal is the third month in the Islamic calendar. During this month, Muslims around the world celebrate Mawlid - the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Sunni Muslims believe the exact date of birth of Muhammad to have been on the twelfth of this month, whereas Shi'a Muslims believe...
of the third month of Islamic calendar
Islamic calendar
The Hijri calendar , also known as the Muslim calendar or Islamic calendar , is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to date events in many Muslim countries , and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to celebrate Islamic...
commemorating Meelad-al-Nabi - prophet Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
's birthday. Moon citation is an event of rejoice for Nawayathi folk.
Food
The traditional food of the Nawayathis has always been rice, fish, and meat. The people of bhatkal have adopted most of their foods from the surrounding regions including Kerala and other parts of India.Seafood
Seafood
Seafood is any form of marine life regarded as food by humans. Seafoods include fish, molluscs , crustaceans , echinoderms . Edible sea plants, such as some seaweeds and microalgae, are also seafood, and are widely eaten around the world, especially in Asia...
has been the mainstay of the Nawayathi diet for centuries.
Meat and rice are other staple foods; Beef and Poultry are the more favored meats, then goat and lamb.
Popular beverage is tea, which can be supplemented with cardamom or mint to give them a distinct flavor.
Muslims are prohibited from eating pork
Pork
Pork is the culinary name for meat from the domestic pig , which is eaten in many countries. It is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide, with evidence of pig husbandry dating back to 5000 BC....
, so it is not included in local menus.
Alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
is prohibited in hotel and restaurants.
Dishes forming part of the Bhatkali cuisine:
- Bhatkali Biryani
- Mudkale (small balls of rice dough steamed and put into prepared curry)
- Navari (Rice dough Steamed and stuffed with mixed preparations of coconut scrapings/onion/jaggery AND made into cakes covered with leaves) of different varieties
- Godan aka Kheer (A sweet dish preparation of ingredients like jaggery, coconut juice and ghee) of different varieties. E.g.; Gavan Godan (wheat Kheer),
Mooga Godan (Green gram kheer), Macaroni Godan (Coconut milk and macaroni kheer), Amatya Godan (Hog Plums Kheer)
- PuttuPuttuPuttu is a South Indian and Sri Lankan breakfast dish of steamed cylinders of ground rice layered with coconut. It is popular in the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as in areas of Sri Lanka, where it is also known as pittu...
(Made of rice powder and grated coconut, steamed in a metal or bamboo holder) - Tawsuli (Rice Pudding)
- Taryepoli (Rava Pudding)
- Khubusapoli (Bread Pudding)
- Chappipoli (Plain Pancake)
- Shoupa Pana Poli (Dill Pudding)
- Terlouz (Egg Dessert)
- Bhanduli (Bhanuli)
- Sawdano
- Shinawniyo (Spicy Oysters)
- Waatve
- Shayya Biryani (Seviya Biryani)
And varieties of Appos (Pancakes)
- Goda Appo (Jaggery Pancake)
- Malpura Appo
- Shoupa Pana Appo (Dill Pancake)