Mappilas are Malayali Muslims who are mostly the offspring of foreign traders from Middle Eastern descent who visited the Malabar Coast over the Indian Ocean trade routes. They are a variety of Muslims from the former Malabar district (north Kerala) who possess a clear identity and social significance. The region of the Mappilas stretches from Cape Comorin to Mangalore. Mappila Muslim Matrimonials are always a big deal with a plethora of diverse regional ethos, many customs and Islamic heritage for their faith. As an intimate affair, Nikah obviously traverse the hues of meaningful sentiments to the Mappila Muslim bride and groom, though we usually host marriage ceremonies as a big fat event as they have distinct ethnic root and sustain a status in Kerala. Unlike other religion in the country, wedding services consistent with Islam are regarded as a spiritual covenant as it a contract between the new weds and Allah. Muslim wedding celebrations are always the most blissful and perhaps the most celebrated events in Kerala. As Indian families mostly prefer arranged marriages, agencies or marriage bureaus were significant. Much like the conservative folks of other religious principles, agents of Muslim marriage bureaus who had an eye on Muslim girls or boys at marriageable age would approach the families of the prospects to talk about their wedding services. Indeed, there were many confines like a limited number of profiles, and so are the choices. In course of time, the typical way of seeking proposals via bureaus or newspaper ads was in a way swapped by the arrival of Malayalam matrimony sites where proposals or families can register a free Muslim matrimony profile at great ease. Most popular Muslim matrimonial portals can search for the right profiles that complements their likes, preferences, and inclinations. While the term Mappila is used to refer the whole Muslim community in southern districts of Kerala, it is quite often used as a synonym for bride groom or son in law. But in fact, Malayalee Mappila Muslims are just one among the many communities that form the Muslim population of Kerala.
As stated by the historical records, it is believed that Islam came to India via Kerala and the Mappilas were the first Muslim community in India and the interaction of local Dravidians and Mappila Muslims resulted the emergence of a new dialect known as “Arabi Malayalam which has both the Arabic and Persian script with loan words of South Indian Dravidian languages. Many efforts were made to indoctrinate Islamic ideals within the local artistic expressions. Kolattam, Kolkkali, Kaikottikali, and Oppana are some of the traditional Mappila folk arts that are still practiced in Kerala. Malabar Muslims adorn the legacy of Mappila songs which have a distinct cultural identity as they sound a mix of the ethos and culture of Dravidian South India as well as West Asia. It deals with themes such as romance, satire, religion, and politics and has played a vital role in the evolution, expansion, and existence of Mappila culture. Mappila pattu, Malappattu, Kissapattu, etc. are superior forms of Mappila Malayalam literary terms. The prevalent form of social entertainment among the Muslims of Kerala Oppana is usually presented by womenfolk numbering about fifteen including musicians, as a part of wedding rites a day before the wedding day. The bride, dressed in all finery, covered with gold ornaments, with elegant mehndi designs adorning her hands and feet, is the chief spectator; she sits on a peetham, around which the singing and dancing take place. While women sing, they clap their hands rhythmically and move around the bride in steps. Two or three girls begin the songs and the rest join the chorus. Oppana has two styles of singing – Oppana Chaayal and Oppana Murukkam. Clapping makes all the difference. While in murukkam the singers clap their hands to the beat of the song, in the oppana chaayal clapping is not present. Musical instruments such as Harmonium, Tabla, Kanjira and Elathaalam are used for its performance.
Apart from the wedding scenes, oppana performances can be seen during several religious rituals like Maarkkakalyanam, Vayassariyikkal, and Naalppathukali among the Muslim communities of Malabar. Sometimes not only the women but also the menfolk present an oppana as part of the Nikah ceremony. Another popular dance form among the Muslims of Kerala Kolkali is played in groups of 12 people with two sticks, like the Dandiya dance of Gujarat. Duff Muttu (also called Dubh Muttu) was an art form prevalent among Muslims of Kerala, using the traditional duff, or daf, also known as tappitta. Participants dance to the rhythm as they beat the duff. Apart from this, Mappilas are delighted for their unique cuisine which blends South Indian recipes with Persian, Yemenite, and Arabic influences. Spices like black pepper, cardamom, and clove are profusely used in the cuisine. Kallummakkaya, irachiputtu, parottas, irachi pathiri, neypathiri, neychoru etc. are some of the Mappila Muslim food assortments. One of the most popular foods at present Kuzhi Mandi is the Malabar version of biryani which has an influence from Yemen. Along with that, there exist other varieties like Kannur biryani, Thalasseri biriyani, Kozhikode biriyani etc. which are widely prepared and served by the Malayalee Mappila community. These are still popular for Malabar weddings and are widely served for most Muslim marriages in Kerala. They have also presented some superb appetizers like Unna kaya, pazham nirachathu, muttamala, chatti pathiri, arikkadukka, and the list goes on.
