A Brief Introduction to the Nayar - BY MYRANDA GRECINGER




In Kerala of southwest India lives an indigenous people, called the Nayar. They are known for having a highly complex and intriguing culture. The Nayar are a warrior caste who follow matrilineal dissention and are said to practice polygyny. (Nowak & Laird, 2010) Their villages are primarily sustained thru agriculture and display little significant difference between wealthy and poor families socially or economically. This society is unparalleled in many cultural aspects by any other culture even within India. Their traditions, beliefs and customs have been the subject of much debate and fascination among scholars and authorities for generations.