The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1922-03-30

expected that there would be general
prosperity and peace in Malabar.
Prosperity is fairly well distributed,
but the motley of religions makes
peace more difficult; and every now
and then il brings about such turbu-
lence as is known these days in other
parts of India. The fierce fanaticism
OF the Mohammedan MOplahs and the
stories of their bloody and furious out
breaks which reach the outside world
may lead to the belief that this is as
much a Mohammedan land as Arabia
or Persia. The truth is that barely 80
per cent of the population are follow
ers Of the prophet, while about SO per
cent are vOtaries of Hinduism and
some 2 per cent are Christians.
In prestige the Hindus are much the
most important. The Nambudri Brah-
mans, at the very top Of the caste
scale, number only 10000 in the total
population of 100000 of the Malabar
district, but are looked up to with the
greatest reverence. Nearly all of them
are landholders, many Of very large es-
tates. They hold aloof from public
affairs and scorn modern education,
holding more tenaciously, probably,
than their fellow religionists in any
other part Of India, to the ancient Gus
toms of their faith. The old concep-
ton Of ceremonial pollution Is a living
thing In Malabar and is strictly ad-
hered to except in the cities. There
are varying distances within which the
mere presence of a member Of lower
caste Is supposed to defile the Brah.
man. A high-caste man returning from
his cleansing bath shouts out that he
is approaching, and the low-caste
members humbly retire to the roadside
or into the fields until he has passed.
Even many Mohammedans follow this
custom lest economic pressure be
brought to bear through boycotts or
other means to destroy their liveli-
hood.
The Mohammedans of Malabar-the
Moplahs-differ greatly from other In
dian Moslems. Many of them are de-
scendants Of Arab traders who came
to the west coast in very early times,
and they have retained all the fanati-
ism Of the fiercest Mohammedans of
the Arabian deserts. To them have
been been added converts from lower
caste Hindus.
MopIahs in Periodic Outbreaks.
For considerable periods the Moplahs
accept their somewhat submerged con.
iitiOns and live in peace beside the
dindus. But their lust for turbulence |
md blood is only slumbering, and sud- |
ienly 1t breaks out with the assassina-
ion Of a Hindu landowner the defiling
II Hindu temple or the looting Of a
house. The little group engaged In
hese episodes runs riot over the re-
hon, their numbers growing until a
anatical mob Is formed. A band u.s.
tally Is formed whose members de-
lnitely decide to make martyrs of
themselves, are consecrated. refuse to
and sell their lives as dearly
s possible when opposed. In the past
'attles with bands of Moplahs have
macked of fights of the Paris police
nth the notorious "apaches." In some
Instances 1t has been necessary to
buildings in which the Mo-
labs had made their stand and from
which they shot down all who ap-
reached them.
One Of the peculiarities of the Mala-
ar region is its system of inheritance
trough the mother. A mans property
oes not go to his children, but his
ster's children are his nearest heirs.
he Malabar district is under direct
ritish control, but In Travancore. to
lie south, which Is native state. the
recession to the throne is through
le sister, and a rulers sons are of no
'litical or family consequence. wom-
!, especially those Of the upper
asses, have marked degree of in '
'pendence, and may divorce their hus-
nds at villa privilege however. .
1ich is usually exercised with discre- Y
IN. 7
When the Portuguese first arrived
Calicut the natives were weaving
9TH of excellent quality and II became
article of commerce with the west. 4
e town. in fact, gave its name to
leo. But the weaving of that fabric q
almost died out and this original q
me Of calico now actually imports 2
, cloth. e