Page 41 - thesis_biby_tharayil

31
46
smeared. Thus the ceremony brings to mind that first couple, their sin, and
the symbolic repairing of it. Just as in the case of the bridegroom, the bride
is then given Ichappad. (See 3.7.3.2)

3.7.3.3.1 Theological Significance

The smearing of Henna is a picturesque ritualization of the creation
account in the book of Genesis: the creation of Adam and Eve, their sin, and
then God’s response. “God sought Adam all over the mountain. Eve was
with the man, and since there was no Mylanchi to hide their shame they hid
behind the bushes: so now on when ladies are to be married they are painted
47
with mylanchi”. The song that accompanies this ritual has 83 lines divided
into five sections. The fourth and fifth stanzas are much influenced by
48
Syriac Music. Here is a brief summary of this song:

1. Our Lord commanded and the command was fulfilled.
The Lord with His omnipotence formed man, with bones,
flesh, blood and skin.
2. The Lord called Adam and wished to give him a wife.
The Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam.
3. In the paradise of Eden, which was flat as a dish, there
were various trees. He was allowed to eat the fruits of all
trees except one. He violated this command of God.
4. The Lord searched for Adam and Eve in the Garden of
Eden. He saw them naked underneath a tree. He clothed
them with green leaves of Mylanchi. From that time on, it
was ordained that girls to enjoy a happy married life must
paint themselves red with henna leaves. The palms are
dyed red because of the sin committed by the hand of Eve
that plucked the fruit. Toes are dyed red because Eve
49
walked to the tree to pluck the forbidden fruit.

46
Cf. LUKAS, P. U., Malayālatte Suriyāni Kristyānikalute Purātanappāttukal (Ancient
th
songs of the Syrian Christians of Malayalam, 1910), 7 Edition, Jyothi Book House,
Kottayam, 1992, p. 4.
47 VELLIAN, J., Knānite Community History and Culture, Syrian Church Series Vol. XVII,
Jyothi Book House, Kottayam, 2001, pp. 70-71.
48 Ibid., p. 70.
49
Cf. LUKAS, P. U., Malayālatte Suriyāni Kristyānikalute Purātanappāttukal (Ancient
th
songs of the Syrian Christians of Malayalam, 1910), 7 Edition, Jyothi Book House,
Kottayam, 1992, pp. 2-4.

www.knanayology.org