Nambiar (Nair subcaste)

( Also written Nambiyar or Nambier ) Nambiar is an Indian jati ( sub-caste ). It belongs to the Kshatriya Varna of the region of Malabar in the north of the South Indian state of Kerala. The name Nambiar also referred to a numerically smaller group of members of Ambalavasi - Brahmin caste.

Origin

The Nambiaren are probably immigrated between the second and the seventh century with members of the Nambuthiri to Kerala. They have very different customs and traditions as indigenous Keralites, on the other hand their habits to those of the people in northern India are strikingly similar. It is believed that the origin of the name " Nambiar " is a symbiosis of " Nair " and " Nambuthiri ".

Kshatriya Nambiar

Dynasties

The Nambiar are Nagavanshi ( Snake ) dynasty, but can also be associated with other Rajput dynasties like the Suryavanshi (solar), Chandravanshi ( lunar) or Agnivanshi ( Fire ) dynasty.

Position in society

We classified Nambiaren as Kiriyathil - Nayars, although due to the hikes belonging to this group of cultural and historical point of view is not secure.

Members of the Nambiar traditionally underwent a befitting formal education, as it was previously reserved exclusively higher box opposite members. The caste of Nambiar is closely connected with the earliest form of traditional Indian martial art Kalaripayattu.

As a socially high- caste they were very influential in the past. Although a large part of this effect was lost by British colonial policies and Muslim invasions in the time of the Sultanate, they are still counted for Indian nobility.

In the temples of the god Ayyappan or in the homes of Nambudiri Nambiar lead to the ritual drama Ayyappan tiyatta.

Traditions

Some of the traditions of the Nambiar are no longer practiced today. This includes the system of matrilineal succession and cousin marriage. The earlier practice of marriage, especially the heirs among relatives ( cousin marriage) has now been almost completely abandoned, mainly for the reason of the genetic risk involved. Three generations ago the cousin marriage was still prevalent. The underlying purpose was the freezing of the social status quo and the backup princely possessions within the family.

Ambalavasi - Brahmin Nambiar

Some members of the community of Ambalavasi caste have the name " Nambiar " accepted, although in these there is no direct cultural connection to the Kshatriya Nambiar. The reason for this is the meaning of the name. " Nambiar " is called in Sanskrit Panivada. The word part " pani " means " hands ", and ' vada ' is a derivative of the verb " vadanam " which means "play". Taken together, must therefore be understood " playing with their hands." The Ambalavasis fulfill tasks in the temple service. This includes the ritual, performed only with the hand game with the drum Mizhavu as it is one of the ceremonies of the Kutiyattam and Kuthu in Kuthambalam Theatre. The female Nambiar is to take the representational roles in the service of the temple Kuthambalam, they called Nangyaramma. These belong to the caste of Chakyar. The task of helping in the temple service, originally had only members of the box Nambuthiri, Nambiar and Unnithan. Only in recent years this office was transferred to the Ambalavasi.

Traditionally, were the members of Ambalavasi caste Sanskrit scholar. The famous Malayalam satire poet Kunchan Nambiar and the great Rama Panivada belonged to the Ambalavasi caste.

Nambiar as a name outside India

The name Nambiar also exists in the English county of Suffolk, within the ancient noble family of the Lord of the Manor, without reference to the Indian Jati or to have the Nambiar of the Temple service. In the mid seventeenth century, the name was carried on in many variations with the great migration from Europe to the East Coast of the United States. It is mainly on the eastern sea coast of Newfoundland, Maine, Virginia, to Carolina and common on the islands. Some of the first settlers of this name had names like variants Nanby, Nanbie, Namby, Nambie and others.

Swell

• Caste