They were the first peoples to built first Mosque in this sub-continent at Kodungallur. Of all religious groups ,the Syrian Christian are special to Kerala. The people of Kerala are a hard working lot. They engage themselves in various occupations to earn their livelihood, Most of the people are farmers. But we can come across a number of other occupational communities in Kerala.
Many people work in factories.
Handloom, weaving, matchbox making, pottery and dairy farming are some the village industries. Fish processing is an important industry of Kerala in which many other industries also. Goods such as coir, rubber, tea, coffee and ceramics are some of the industrial products of Kerala. The mineral products like titanium, monazite, ilmenite and fertilisers have won demands in world markets. A good number of the people of Kerala can speak more than one language.