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

and also to the poor in Mecca and ~edina'~. During eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
the Coromandel Marakkayar ships transported Haj pilgrims to the west coast, in their
mercantile vessels, from where they took ships for Arab coasts.
Pearson gives a very interesting account of Haj pilgrimage from Indian coasts.
The journey from India to Mecca was very expensive and dangerous. In spite of that
there were regular large scale passenger movement by sea for Ha]. 15,000 people
performed Haj, from India, every year in eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Most
of the pilgrims were urban dwellers. The Mughal emperors provided all facilities to
the pious men and fakirs to perform Haj . Intending people from various parts of
the country ( perhaps including those from Coromandel ) assembled in the port
towns of Mughals to take this opportunity. Polltical opponents of the Mughal rulers
were sent on Ha], never to return. Women also undertook Ha] pilgrimage. Trade
was not the motive for most of the pilgrims. However they carried some goods with
them. This was not intended to be sold for profit but rather sold on the way or in
Mecca 'in order to provide expenses of the voyage. Thus, Mecca became the centre
of exchange for Middle Eastern pious products96.
FESTIVALS
Generally. the Marakkayars. Labbais, and Rowthars do not celebrate with
pomp and shovr the Muharrum festival, the mourning and lamentations of the
martyrdom of Hossein and Hussain , the grandsons of Prophet Mohamed (in the
fourtyeighth year of Hijira) as the Deccanis and Shias of Corornandel. In some
households a fatheeha is offered for the eternal place of the martyrs. The Islamic
calender month begins from the month Muharrum, consisting of 355 days.
Odukkathu perunal (feetivai) in celebrated as a houmehold function on the last
Wednesday of the month Saffar. This is not considered as an auspicious celebration.
It is celebrated to ward off all misfortunes that befell in the year. Origin of this
celebration goes to the indisposition of the Prophet Mohamed during this month