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3.7 Marriage Customs in the Southist Families
The customs allude to age-old traditions of the people. This is the
result of the interaction between the word of God and the cultural context of
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the faithful. They express the faith consciousness of the people. The
marriage customs and rituals of the Knānāya community are the expressions
of a basic commitment to God. The Second Vatican Council accepted and
encouraged such marriage customs and rituals: “If any regions are wont to
use other praiseworthy customs and ceremonies when celebrating the
sacrament of matrimony, the sacred Synod earnestly desires that these by all
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means be retained”. These Knānāya customs show how this community,
in the context of family, responds to God’s call. The Knānites have special
family customs in connection with the wedding, pregnancy and birth, death-
bed blessing, burial and folklore. There are many customs related to a
Southist marriage, but for this analysis only those which have possible
concurrence to the teaching of Pope John Paul II on Domestic Church as a
Sanctuary of Life will be considered.

3.7.1 Jewish Influences and Similarities

The resemblance and similarities between the traditions and customs
of Knānites and Cochin Jews are clear evidence of the close affinity
between Knānite and Jewish traditions. P.M. Jussay, recognized for his
research on the diaspora Jewish communities and his special focus on
Jewish folk songs, observed: “In the many-splendored wonders of Kerala’s
population, the critical observer is intrigued by the striking similarities that
exist between two small communities - the Cochin Jews and the Knānite
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Christians”. In his opinion most similarities are found in their ancient

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This study addresses only those customs and ceremonies which are traditionally practiced
among the Southist families. It does not study in details the liturgical celebration of the
sacrament of marriage in the Syro-Malabar rite.
17 Cf. VELLIAN, J., Knānite Community History and Culture, Syrian Church Series Vol.
XVII, Jyothi Book House, Kottayam, 2001, p. 17.
18 SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM OECUMENICUM VATICANUM II, Constitutio De
Sacra Liturgia, Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 77, 4 December, 1963, in AAS 56, 1964, pp.
97-138.
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JUSSAY, P. M., “The wedding Songs of the Cochin Jews and of the Knānite Christians
of Kerala: A Study in Comparison”, in J. VELLIAN (ed.), Symposium on Knānites, The
Syrian Church Series, Vol. XII, Kottayam, 1986, p. 81.

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