Agricultural Tradition
Krishigita
Krishigita contains a wealth of information about the agricultural practices of Malayalam Desam and the nearby regions ( Tamil Nadu, Karnataka) of India. The author of Krishigita is anonymous. Krishigita epitomized the prehistoric equivalent of the present day package of practices, recommendations for crop production. It covers a wide spectrum of crops including cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits and nuts grown in Kerala since time immemorial.
Tinai sangalpam
In sangam literature, Ancient Kerala was divided into 5 categories based on the topography and availability of food. Specifically, there are five tinais (land): kurinji (hilly/mountainous region), palai (parched/dry lands), mullai (pastoral tract), marutam (wet/agricultural lands), and neital (coastal area), not just about the tract of land on which they are located but also about the people and animals that live there, the plants, trees, flowers, and all the feelings of the characters in the Sangam literature poems.
Valliyur kavu
Valliyur Kavu is a tribal temple in Wayanad. Valliyur Kavu Arattu is described as the agricultural calendar of Wayanad. During the early period, everything from cattle markets to slave trade took place there.
Aadi vedan theyyam
Aadi and Vedan are two different theyyams representing Parvathy and Siva and are performed by children during the Mansoon season and they visit each house in this season. This custom is related to the Farmer families of Malabar.
Kalichan theyyam
Kalichan Theyyam is the deity who protects the cattle. Theyyam is also the guardian of the faith of a hunting community. Kalichan Kavus are the places of worship of a pastoral community whose main occupation is farming and animal husbandry. Kalichan Kavus are commonly known as Kalichamarans. Kalichan is generally worshiped as a god for the prosperity of agriculture and the protection of livestock.
Eruth Kali
This is a ritual performed by the Mavilas as beggars who go into the houses of the landlords after the harvest festival. At that time the local chiefs and landlords went to Subramaniam Koval and brought plow oxen from there. The ritual originated from making the mango into a bull with musical accompaniment so that the plow bulls would not be blinded. It has become a ritual to receive alms and money by placing necklaces and ornaments on ten bulls. There should be about seven Maoists in the game in connection with this. The shape of the bull is made of cane and a special cloth. The bulls also dance along with the choir, and the bulls have a special style of singing that is in keeping with the dance steps of the bull. Most of the songs are in praise of the bosses.
Kothamuriyattam
Kothammuriyattam or Kothariyattam is a traditional art form that existed in the far north of Kerala, especially in Kolathunadu. In the villages of Kolathu, this folk dance was performed by the Theyyam performers during the months of ‘Thulam’ and ‘Vrishchikam’. Kothammuri is an art form that is very close to the rituals of fertility. Starting from the main temple of the village, Kothamuri regularly visits all the houses in the area and performs Kothamuriyattam there.