User:Rahulkris999/sandbox

Origin
According to folklore Thiyyas are taught to have originated out of union of Tivan and variar girl this could explain the reason why Thiyyas consider themselves as different from Ezhava since they were matrilineal until recently.

Another possible explanation could be that Tivan cognate for Dweepan could actually be referring to lakshadweep instead of Ezham or sri lanka, since this is the most closest possible dweep to Northern kerala. In case of ezham or lanka the closest land route is to Trivandrum and the first Thiyya colony must be in Trivandrum ,till now we have not found any proof of Thiyya migration from trivandrum to north. So lakshwadweep origin of Thiyya community is most plausible. Large scale Thiyya migration could have occurred following spread of Islam in lakshadweep after 700AD and later mass migration of Thiyyas could have been completed by 1600AD the time period on which Island was handed over to Arakkal Bheevi of Kannur by Kolathiri kingdom.

Another legend speak about origin of Thiyyas from shiva this legend could be the basis of origin of etymological name Thiyya which stands for Thiyy(fire) and because of sin of killing of a Brahmin community was made outcast, a local legend speaks about a powerful Thiyya taravd called Poothatta Tharawad vanquishing namboothirirs in battle and dead being buried in an upright position on the side of one of the fields belonging to the Tharawad.

Occupation
Being Majority community of Northern Malabar they have played important role like in political, civil and business fields.

Past
vadakkan pattukal composed no earlier than 16th century speaks about warrior tradition of Thiyya, they are said to have trained and supplied warriors for zamorin. They also took part in ankam it is said that a Thiyya gets honorary title of chekava only after an ankam, such people are called anka chekava.

Well known Izhathu Mannanars belonged to varakat illam a Thiyya taravad based in taliparambha they owned large area of land as well as possessed 200 Nair solider were bound to follow orders.when their chief, If Mannanar of the Aramana, is destitute of heirs, the Tiyans of Kolathunadu(Kannur) go in procession to the Kurumattur Nambudiri (the chief of the Perinchellur Brahmans) and demand a Brahman virgin to be adopted as sister of Mannanar, who follows the matrilineal rule of succession. This demand, it is said, used to be granted by the Nambudiris assembling at a meeting, and selecting a maiden to be given to the Tiyyans.

Culture


Thiyya share their cultural affinity with Northern Canara or Tulu Nadu, their important art form is Theyyam or Thira. They also have Karumana acharam where Karumana is applied as a term to signify a Tiyan during the ordinary devil-dancing in temples, when an oracular utterance is delivered.Thiyya's play integral part in rituals in Kodugallor, Kottiyur and Muttapan temples.

Notable people

 * Aromal Chekavar
 * Pinarayi Vijayan
 * Sreenivasan