maritime activities economy and social customs of the muslims of ...

coowners of the family properties and partners of business firms. Independent in
the sense that each family has a house or portion of a house of it's own and
independent source of income. A recent statistics in a Marakkayar town shows that
8096 of the houses are in the name of ~omen~~.~his
because of the house gifts
to the women.
Parallel cousin marriage or marriage between the sons and daugters of brothers is
usual one among the Mamkkayars. It outwits all other considerations. This type of alliance
is not common among the other Muslim sub sects like Rowthar, Labbal and Deccanis and
rarely practiced. ( But majority of the Labbai and Rowthar families practise the cross, cousin
marriage (muralmappihi) much in Hindu fashion ). A scholar is of the view that the most
probable reason for this sort of matrimonial alliance Is that siblings among them yearn for
remaining among themselves close to each other and hence they want their children to
intermany and give the demonstration of sibling solidarity32. Some think that the parallel
cousin marriages are concluded to keep the blood ties and property intact33. But it is
probable that this is an inheritance from the early Arabian society. This type of marriage
was also practised in the family of Prophet Mohamed. Scientists are of the view that the
marriage among the close relatives may lead to childlessness or mentally or physically
retarded children. The Marakkayar population neither approve or disapprove this thesis,
though childlessness and physically and mentally affected children are In excess of It's quota
among them. At the same time there are Marakkayar families with good number of
children who are physically and mentally robust34. The Muslim of a particuhr sect Is not
averse to matrimonial alliance with other sect and subsect or segment and there is no
religious bar also. The overriding consideration in such cases is frequently being
financial, economic or social status or superior accomplishments. There are instances
of the Marakkayar bride marrying a Labbai, Rowthar or Sheik or Deccani bridegroom,
vice versa and the like.
Generations back Muslim marriages were celebrated for eleven days, later the
duration was reduced to seven days and further to three days. But in modem times it
is a one day wonder. In earlier times Muslim marriages were solemnised in predawn
hours. At present marriages are celebrated during day time either forenoon or afternoon.
Thus we find that most of the ceremonies connected with the marriage of the
Muslims are influenced by Hindu customs and culture. But these custom are in usage
for a very long period and handed down from generations to the present day. We find
authentic evidence in an Islamic Tamil literature of the seventeenth century by
nameMSaithakkathiru Marakkayar Thirumana Vazhthu, which describes the marriage
of Vallar Seethakkathi (Periathambi Marakkayar) of Kilakkarai. The poet 'Umarkathab',
a contemporary of Perlathambi Marakkayar had seen the marriage In person