Ever wondered how did surnames like Fernando, Carvalho, Vaz, De Cruz, Costa etc. join with names of Paravars?
From the earliest recorded times the Paravars were fishers and seamen, specialising in seasonal harvesting of pearl oysters and chank (“Sangu” in Tamil), both of which were significant exports from southern India by the first century AD. The community was also involved in sea salt production. Continue reading WHAT’S IN A SURNAME?
Fr.Caussanell who wrote on the Paravas lists out a number of inland villages in the erstwhile Tinnevely district to which the Paravas had migrated for different reasons .No scientific study is still made about different reasons for this migration in Tinnevely District. I wish some youngster does this. Continue reading KAMUTHY – A PARAVA STATION – A NOSTALGIC NOTE
பரதவர்களின் நாட்டார் ம்ருத்துவத்தில் இடம் பெற்றுள்ள சில மந்திர மருத்துவ முறைகளைக் காண்போம்.
புனித நீர் – புனித எண்ணெய் மருத்துவம்
தண்ணீர், எண்ணெய் ஆகியனவற்றைத் தெய்வங்கள் மற்றும் புனிதர்களின் உருவங்களுடனும் இறந்த குருக்களின் கல்லறைகளுடனும் தொடர்புபடுத்துவதன் மூலம் அவற்றிற்கு மந்திர ஆற்றல் (Magic Power) எற்படுவதாக இவர்கள் நம்புகிறார்கள். இவ்வாறு மந்திர ஆற்றல் பெற்ற தண்ணீர் , எண்ணெய் ஆகியனவற்றை நோய் தீர்க்கும் ம்ருந்தாகப் ப்யன்படுத்தும் வழக்கம் பரதவர்களிடம் உள்ளது. Continue reading பரதவர்களின் நாட்டார் மருத்துவம் – பாகம் 2
It is not out of place to make a few remarks in respect of the Paravas . Are the Paravas mixed race? The opinion advanced by writers is certainly untrue and ungrounded historically. Not a single caste in India is more cautious in matrimonial union. The supposition that there had been intermarriages with Portuguese is merely a fable. Any man who has deeply examined matters comes to the conclusion that Paravas are scrupulous to excess in their contracting marriages and this results from the autonomy of the caste before their conversion. Continue reading Fr. Adrian Caussanel – on Paravas – 3
During discussions, one, often hears a very casual remark that the Paravas got converted to Christianity seeking protection from enemies.
Does this remark parroted carelessly has any tinge of truth ,is a matter to be closely scrutinized. Continue reading THE CONVERSION –THE TRUTH
Dowry is the worst of all social evils that bedevil the young fisher women in their lives. Many remain as eternal spinsters as their parents are unable to give handsome dowry. The agony of helpless parents of lasses is unbounded. The girls who get stuck at home, for want of wealth to part with as dowry often quarrel with parents and relatives when they see their companions get on with married life after giving a dowry. Continue reading FIFTY – FIFTY
Mridula Sharma says “Empowerment of women can be achieved only through education.” There is much reluctance on the part of parents to send children to schools. The cause for this trend lies with the boys who go fishing at the age of 7 or 8 as this occupation does not require much education.
In the fisherfolk society there is a gender-based division of labour. In accordance to the division women confine themselves to household affairs and mane control the sea. The Parava women found the central focus of their identity and their social role in the work they perform as wives, mothers and daughters (Kalpana Ram). But they have now broken such barriers and they perform activities like salting, drying and selling fish. They have also resorted to sorting fish. So the domestic tasks, the special responsibilities in the religious sphere and various economic activities have increased their burden three-fold and their health is very much affected. Continue reading Share her burden
Share her burden