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3.8.3 Sending off the Pregnant Wife

The pro-life spirit of the Knānāya family is evident from the special
custom that is performed at the “sending off” of the pregnant wife. In the
Kerala culture, the pregnant wife goes to her parents’ home for the delivery.
Usually the delivery and the following functions are the duty/right of the
wife’s parents. This is common among St. Thomas Christians, Hindus, and
other religious groups. But Knānāya families have special ceremonies in
connection with it. Usually at the beginning of the seventh month of the
pregnancy, the mother and other close relatives of the girl come to the
couple’s house. On that occasion, the Knānites prepare a special food with
rice balls called Pidy. After a small prayer by the head of the family and
eating meals in which the main dish is pidy, they solemnly send the
expectant mother off to her parents’ house for the delivery. 108 The next three
months she will be staying in her family’s house. Even today, this is the
practice among the Knānāya families. This shows that the Knānites give
special attention to human life, from the very moment of conception and
consider this life a blessing from God.

3.8.4 Special Bread on Maundy Thursday

The cutting and giving of special unleavened bread, Indary Appam,
on Maundy Thursday evening by the head of the family in a very devout
and prayerful atmosphere is a ceremony proper to the Knānites and the St
Thomas Christians. This is in memory of the institution of the Holy
Eucharist. 109 The Knānites celebrate it in a special way. Not only one
family, but all the married members, together with wives and children, come
together in the Tharavadu (home of their paternal parents/grandparents).
The eldest male of the family, after the special prayers, cuts the Indary
Appam and gives it to each one, from the second eldest male on down. After
eating it, they move to each of the married children’s homes, where they
perform the same act. If someone had died in the family that year (i.e., since
the last Easter), they will not prepare the Indary Appam. Instead, the
neighbours prepare it and give it to the family, as a sign of the solidarity and
communion of the family of the Lord.

108 Cf. Ibid., p. 28. Cf. J. VELLIAN, Knānite Community History and Culture, Syrian
Church Series Vol. XVII, Jyothi Book House, Kottayam, 2001, p. 31.
109 Cf. VELLIAN, J., Knanite Community History and Culture, Syrian Church Series Vol.
XVII, Jyothi Book House, Kottayam, 2001, p. 31.

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