Samantha Kshatriya - Customs and Practices

Customs and Practices

The Samanta Kshatriyas practiced matrilinial inheritance (marumakkathayam) that was uxorilocal. The women performed ceremonies Kettu Kalyanam and Tirandu Kalyanam like the Nairs whereas the men performed Upanayanam indicative of being a Dwija / twice born. The women of the household were known as Thampuratis meaning princesses while males used the title of Thampuran prefixed by Varma, indicative of Kshatriya rank. The form of marriage practiced was known as Sambandham and most alliances with Namboodiri Brahmin husbands were sought for womenfolk. An exception is the Travancore Royal Family who choose spouses for their womenfolk from Kshatriya(Koyi thampurans of chiraykal descendents) families only and males marrying from four Ammavedu of Nair Thampi clan. In the Kingdom of Cochin, Namboodiri husbands were permitted to enter into Sambandham with the princesses. Males married either from other Malayala Kshatriya houses, known as Kovilakams or Kottarams meaning palace, or else ladies of the Nair nobility, known as Nethyar Amma. In the case of the Travancore family, the children of the Thampurans from Nair wives, known as Panapillai Ammas were bestowed the title of Thampi.