A group of South Asian Muslim community found in some regions of the Indian states of Tamil Nadu (the Palk Strait and Coromandel Coast), Kerala, and Sri Lanka known as Marakkar/Maricar/Marecar/Marikkar/Marican/Marecan are Sunnis of the Shafi’i school of thought (Madhab) and are akin to the indigenous Tamil speaking Muslims such as Rowther, Kayalar, and Lebbai. Sunni Muslims follows the teachings of the Quran and consider the first four caliphs to be the rightful descendants of Muhammad. The Maraikayar Muslim matrimony community trace their lineage to nuptials amid early Arab Muslim traders of the high seas and native Mukkuvar coastal women. In Tamil Nadu (Tamil: Marrakayar) and Sri Lanka (Sinhalese: Marakkala) the Maraikayar Muslim community speaks Tamil while in Kerala they use the regional language Malayalam. Many Arabic and Arabic words exist in the form of Tamil spoken by Marakkars. Among many examples, greetings and blessings are exchanged in Arabic instead of Tamil, such as Assalamu Alaikum instead of Sandhiyum Samadanamum, Jazakallah instead of Nandri and Pinjhan/Finjan for Bowl/Cup. There are also words which are unique to Marakkars and Sri Lankan Moors, such as Laatha for elder-sister, Kaka for elder-brother, Umma for mother and Vappa for father, suggesting a close relationship between Marakkars of India and Marrakkar and Moors of Sri Lanka. Owing to the influence and connection of foreign trade, the Maraikayar Muslim families are both socially and economically far more advanced than other Muslim sects as well as many Hindu denominations in the locale. The folks of Maraikayar Muslims hold themselves superior to the Lebbai Muslims in India as they had almost the same socio-economic privilege with other Muslims.
Concerning the etymology of the term Maraikayar or Marrakayar and its various forms, there are mainly two hypotheses. We can read both in line with the role in regional history and linguistic derivations. According to one account, the word Maraikayar is derived from the fusion of the Arabic word ‘Marakab’ meaning ‘boat’ and the Tamil word ‘Rayar’ meaning ‘King’. Another account states that Marakkayar is derived from the Tamil word ‘Marakkalam’ meaning ‘ship’ (wooden boat) and Rayar meaning ‘King'. On the other hand, another version suggests that the Marakayars are skilled in the marine commerce and are descendants of the Arab traders who married local womenfolk. As stated by KVK Iyer in his History of Kerala, the word is derived from Marakka Rayar it signifies the captain of a ship Rayar (captain) of Marakkalam (ship) and Marakkar was a prized title given by the Zamorin of Calicut. The Marakayar's have dominated the educational and economic landscape in Tamil Nadu since the 17th century. Converts to Islam was given the title given the title Marakayar in later years. Their mother tongue was Tamil. The majority of the Marakkayar lived in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu such as Keelakarai, Kayalpatnam, and Nagore and dealt with trading of pearls, rubies and chanks.
Maraikayar Muslims in Kerala (known as Marikkars) were traditionally boatmen and are mostly concentrated in and around Malabar. If we look into the dresses of Maraikayar grooms in Kerala, they are typically dressed up in white Maulana lungis and white shirts with long sleeves. They also use an embroidered, white plaited skull cap. Kerala Maraikayar Muslim boys, together with other Muslims worldwide also use a turban or taqiyya which is a mark of respect, humility, and modesty for the creator as well as one’s fellow beings. The womenfolk of the Muslim communities use khimar (a piece of cloth that covers the head or headscarf) or hijab. Marikayar Muslim girls alike other elder women folks in the community use Purdah to cover themselves. Unlike other Muslim communities, Maraikayar Muslims do not restrict intermarriages. They maintain the sect by intermarriage between the Marakkayar of Malabar and Tamil Nadu strictly. Gone are the days where Maraikayar Muslim brides just like most other Muslim communities do not have any voice in their marriage decision. Now things have changed significantly and the families of Muslim brides and grooms in India now seek the likes and preferences of Muslim prospects before proceeding further. Nowadays match seekers have a considerable opportunity to save their relationship by marrying the most eligible and compatible prospects. Finding the best one to grow with you really matters. Thanks to Muslim marriage sites and marriage bureaus easing reliable hunt using advanced search options. Some even offer assisted Muslim matrimony services or prospects these days can opt for religious wedding planners easing the tasks with wedding directories. Search for the best to live-in happy hues.
