The Nayars Today

Klappentext

This 1976 study examines the Nayars of Kerala who, unusually, trace descent through the female line.

Zusammenfassung
This 1976 study examines the Nayars of Kerala who are famous in anthropological circles because, unusually, they trace descent through the female line and, in the past, had a marriage system in which women were allowed several husbands simultaneously. Dr Fuller situates his analysis in its historical context throughout.

Inhalt

List of illustrations; List of tables; Preface; 1. 'The Nobles of Malabar': foreign images of the Nayars; 2. Introduction to the Nayas in Central Travancore; 3. The Nayar kinship system in Ramankara; 4. The Nayar marriage system in Ramankara; 5. The 'traditional' Nayar marriage system; 6. The disintegration of the matrilineal joint-family system; Notes; Glossary; References; Index.