Study on the Peculiar Customs and Rituals of Fishermen Community with Special Reference to Ramanathapuram District

Abstract

Tamil Nadu is very popular for rich culture, tradition and customs accordingly the land is majorly classified into three divisions pertinent to the specific geographical condition as; Kurunji, Mullai, and Neithal and also two more lands on people’s professions; Maruthamand Palai. These five kinds of land were specified as Thinai in Tamil classical literature. Sea and seashore territories were called Neithal, where fishing and maritime trade were the main professions of the people. Sunthara Pandian Pattinam, Pasipattinam, Thondi, Devipattinam, Alakankulam, Aatraankarai, Pamban, Kunthukal, Dhanushkodi, Kilakarai, Periyapattinam are notable port cities in Ramanathapuram district from the ancient period. The district coastline covers 273 km, has one fourth of the total population of the district. Kadayas, Mutharayas, Paravas, Parvathakula Rajakals and Vanniyas are identified as important caste and tribes of the fisherman community in the district. These people follow a lot of customs and rituals which all resemble to the people who live in other part of the district. However, some customs and rituals are entirely peculiar, thus paper is attempted study all these cultural practices.