MANNAN

The MANNANS are distributed throughout Kerala, in the plains and coastal regions. They speak a dialect of Tamil and Malayalam with a very peculiar acent and converse it is difficult to understand. The economy of Mannan is centered around cultivation. Land is the main natural resource. Independent agriculture and service as labourers are the important occupations at present. They are conversant with all aspects agriculture in the mountains they inhabit and are successful cultivators. Collecting, vending, hill produce provides occupation for many. The traditional occupation is washing cloth and providing mattu, literally, change of cloth to the communities like the Brahman, Kshatriya, Ambalavasi and Nayar for wearing before going to bathe on the day on which they are to be freed from pollution. The Mannan are Hindus and worship Gods and goddess such as Siva, Vishnu, Bhagawati, and Sastha. Bhagawati is their family deity. They visit Sabarimala temple during Mandalam period. They also visit Guruvayur, Kodungallur or Bhagawati temple. Onam, Vishu, Sivaratri and Sankranti are their major festivals. According to the 2011 census, their population can be estimated to be 9,780.