Table of Contents

Preface A Note on Foreign Terms and Style Part I. The Becoming of Mappila Muslim Culture: A Remarkable Development and a Symbol of Hope 1. The Mappilas and Their Composite Culture Setting Mappila Identity The Malayalam Cultural Setting The Islamic Cultural Setting 2. The Emergence of the Mappila People and Their Culture The Historical Shaping The Cultural Legacy 3. The Issue of a Possible Indo-Muslim Influence on Mappila Culture Two Language Worlds Developmental Contrasts and Sporadic Culture Contacts The European Cultural Intrusion and Its Connecting Role Indo-Muslim Influences on the Mappilas: A Summary 4. The Four Pillars of Mappila Traditionalism The Pillar of Arabic The Pillar of the Qur'an Traditionalist Religious Education Traditionalist Clergy and Their Training 5. The Great Transition in Mappila Culture: Four Change Factors Theological Reform The Impact of Communism Modern Secular Education The impact of Gulf Money and Gulf Custom Conclusion 6. Mappila Character and Personality Today Mythical Elements in the Mappila Image The Mappila Character and Personality The Sense of Being Mappila Part II. The Being of Mappila Muslim Culture: A Profile of Changing Customs and Notable Achievements 7. Key Life Moments: Birth, Marriage, Death Pregnancy, Birth, and Early Childhood Family Planning Marriage Divorce: The Practices and the Problem Old Age and Death 8. Family Custom: Home Life, Interrelationships, Inheritance The Mappila Home and Its Rhythm of Life Mutual Interrelations within the Family The Mappila Inheritance Pattern The Marumakkathayam or Matrilineal Tradition 9. Aspects of Personal Behavior Mappila Occupations Mappila Dress and Ornamentation Mappila Food Cleanliness, Pollution, and Sanitation Tabus: Stimulants and Extramarital Behavior Pleasures and Role Models 10. The Landscape of Mappila Social Behavior: Group Distinctions, Educational Variety, Political Alignments, Theological Factions, Decision Making Group Distinctions: Arab Descent, Caste-Like Clans, Class Features Current Educational Profile Mappila Political Alignments The Mappila Political Alignments The Mappila Theological Factions The Community's Decision-Making Process photo gallery follows page 232 11. Social Behavior (cont'd): Leadership and Some Selected Leaders, Community Service, Community Relations Mappila Leadership Resources and Representative Leaders Mappila Social Service and Trusts Mappila Relations with Non-Muslims 12. Religious Rituals and Festivals: Saints and Superstition The Prescribed Rituals Major and Minor Festivals The Mappila Respect for Saints The Celebration of the Saints Superstition and Magic 13. Mappila Artistic Expression: Mosque Architecture, Embellished Houses, the Material Arts, Song, and Dance Mosque Architecture Embellished Homes The Material Arts Mappila Music: Song, Instruments, and Dance 14. Mappila Literature Malayalam Literature Is Born: Mappilas Remain Aloof Arabic Literature and the Mappilas: An Unfulfilled Vision Arabic-Malayalam Literature: A Synthetic Medium Literature in Malayalam Enters the Cultural Scene Mappila Journals and Newspapers Mappila Novelists in Malayalam: A Cultural Wave Mappila Nonfiction Writers Mappila Poetry Conclusion: The Significance of Mappila Culture A Resource for Wider Cultural Understanding The Implication that a Cultural Renaissance is Possible The Importance of Determined Behavioral Change Appendix A: Islamic and Malayalam Terms for Culture Appendix B: The Ali Raja Kingdom in Kannur Appendix C: The Origins of Traditionalism in the Islamic Heartlands and Its Structure Appendix D: The Nizamiyya Syllabus Appendix E: Mappila Culture on the Laccadive Island (Lakshwadeep) Notes Glossary Bibliography Index

About the Author

Roland E. Miller is Professor Emeritus of Islam and World Religions at Luther College, University of Regina, and Professor Emeritus at Luther Seminary, Minnesota. He is the author of Muslims and the Gospel: Bridging the Gap: A Reflection on Christian Sharing and Mappila Muslims of Kerala: A Study in Islamic Trends.