Knanaya
Encyclopedia
The Knanaya also known as Q'nanaya, Q'nai, Kanai, or Thekkumbagar, are endogamous Jews
who settled in Kerala
, India
. Their origins are unclear and are hotly disputed by academic scholars. Many believe them to be in fact descendants of Yemeni Jews who once formed a significant component of the Cochin Jewish
population up until the sixteenth century. The Knanaya people lived in Kodungallur
and were wealthy plantation owners, merchants and bankers until an assault by Muslims. This led to the Knanaya people fleeing south for refuge to places like Kottayam
and Thiruvananthapuram
.
During the Portuguese
occupation of Kerala, the Knanaya people were heavily persecuted for their Jewish beliefs. As a result of the Portuguese occupation the Knanaya population dwindled significantly, Knanaya artifacts and culture were lost, and caused the formation of two groups - Knanaya Catholics and Knanaya Jacobites. Many Knanaya later migrated at the start of the 20th and 21st century, largely westward, forming communities in non Malayalam-speaking areas, including the United States
, United Kingdom
, Kuwait
, Canada
, and Italy
. With the the vast majority of Knanaya people moving westward; the number remaining in Kerala itself is in decline.
Their endogamous belief has also led to several demographic problems including an alarming rate of cousin marriages
as well as a raise in people choosing not to follow endogamy. Their claim as Jews has also stirred controversy as their beliefs no longer resemble Judaism
but rather Jewish Christianity.
in the Tanakh
is with Pinchas.
However, prior to the popularity of Knanaya, Thekkumbhagar, Malayalam for "Southists" was often used to describe the community. This was coined because they lived in the southern part of Kerala. Today the term Thekkumbhagar is rejected and viewed unfavorably, with a preference to identify themselves as Knanaya.
, Syria
, Iraq
, and Şanlıurfa
, Turkey
. There is no mutual agreement from where Knanaya lived before their arrival to Kerala.
It is generally believed by Knanaya people that 72 families with a total of 400 people migrated to the Malabar coast
in AD 345, under the leadership of a prominent merchant Knai Thomman
. They sailed in three ships headed by a leading ship under the flag of the Magen David to Muziris
. The Knanaya were granted asylum and permission to engage in trade and settle down in Kodungallur
by the then ruler of Malabar, Cheraman Perumal
. The event was recorded on copper plates given to the community. In Kodungallur, they established 72 houses. It also can be noted that Knanaya do not agree why they came to Kerala. Persecution by the Romans, missionary efforts, and for the wealth of the spice trade have all been suggested.
The validity of this story is contested by scholars. There are no documented evidence of such a community existing until the 16th century. Interestingly, it is also same time when a dispute broke out between dispute over chieftain-ship broke out between two brothers, one of them named Joseph Azar
, in the Yemeni Jewish community, a component of the Cochin Jews
. Scholars have also noted the striking similarity between the Knanaya and the Yemeni Jews or the Black Jews of Kerala. Yemeni Jews are believed to have arrived in Kerala at about roughly the same time. They were led by Joseph Rabban
a merchant through Muziris. They were given the rights to seventy-two houses in Kodungallur. The Hindu king, Cheraman Perumal, gave them approval for the Jews to live freely, construct synagogues, and acquire land. This was all documented on a pair of copper plates granting the community special privileges. The striking parallels have led many to speculate that the Knanaya are in fact the Yemeni Jews who split to form their own community.
plantation owners, merchants, or bankers. The Knanaya maintained close relationship with the Cochin Jews in the early 1500s. The growing Muslim population caused increasing tension with Knanaya. The Caliphate sought the wealth accumulated by the Knanaya and led assault upon Kodungallur. The Caliph's mercenaries captured Kodungallur which caused an exodus of Knanaya people fleeing for refuge in the south to Kaipuzha
, Kottayam
, Kozhikode
, and Thiruvananthapuram
. Those who remained in Kondungallur were forced to convert to Islam. Notably the, Hawariyun (حواريون) share Knanaya ancestry .
and Sukkah
. Furthermore, circumcision was prohibited as was reading and writing in Hebrew and Aramaic.. Ancient Knanaya artifacts and texts were confiscated and burned by the Portuguese as to destroy the Jewish identity of the Knanaya people. In some rare instances, Knanaya who were caught defying the imperial order were executed. The oppressive rule by the Portuguese was sometimes met with resistance. These movements were futile as the Portuguese swiftly punished Knanaya who protested with death.
The Knanaya fell victim to the Portuguese missionary efforts to Christianize them. They were forced to incorporate European changes including Mariolatry into their ancient fidelity. Despite the all this, the Knanaya managed to preserve some elements of their Jewish customs, because of their endogamous
practice and decision to become Crypto-Jews. This is why Knanaya continue to celebrate Passover very privately without inviting any Christian friend to share the Holy Meal. Still majority of their Jewish ethos was lost. As a result of the Portuguese occupation, the Knanaya divided in two groups - Knanaya Catholics and Knanaya Jacobites.
Many Knanayas began migrating at the birth of the 20th and 21st century, largely westward, forming communities in non Malayalam-speaking areas, including the United States
, United Kingdom
, Kuwait
, Canada
, and Italy
. With the the vast majority of Knanaya people moving westward; the number remaining in Kerala itself is in decline. Even today, Knanaya are still victims of increasing missionary efforts from both Christian and Islamic missionaries desiring that they should abandon their Jewish identity, customs, and traditions.
under Pope Pius X
, by establishing in 1911 a separate diocese for the Jewish Christians, named the Knanaya Catholic
and headed first by Mar Mathew Makil. However there status as Jews is still not acknowledged by Israel
as they have abandoned Judaism with a Jewish Christian belief. There are a sizable population of Knanaya who are irreligious or practice some other faith.
The order of their Qurbana
(l'todah u'zevach shelamim) is as outlined in VaYikra
. The kiddushin or betrothal is the first step in Knanaya marriage. The bridal canopy or chuppah
is an essential part of the Knanaya wedding ceremony and there is a ceremonial bathing on the eve of the wedding that resembles the mikvah
. The dead are buried facing the east (though Jerusalem is west of India). Thanksgiving blessings which the Knanaya use which follow the Hebrew formula, Birkat HaMazon
(ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, המוציא לחם מן הארץ).
is reflected in Knanaya cuisine, which has benefited from various cultural exchanges and contributions. Honey yeast cakes and Halwa is a popular desert item among Knanaya.
One such Knanaya Jewish cuisine preserved, is the consumption of Pesaha pal (passover coconut milk [חלב קוקוס]) on the night of Passover
along with Pesaha-appam (unleavened passover bread). This tradition of Pesaha appam was observed by the entire Nasrani people until Portuguese persecution as well as the Cochin Jews.
The stringent endogamous belief has caused several demographic problems such as a steady raise in cousin marriages. The limited gene pool
also has caused worry as it means increased chances for genetic disorders as well as a reduction in genetic diversity. The increasing amount of people choosing not to follow endogamy has also been a concern.
There are many critics of the endogamous practice, both Knanaya and non-Knanaya. The practice is often described as racist or supremacist custom. While those in favor argue that it is necessary to preserve the Knanaya. A recent controversy had occurred in the community's refusal to accept adopted children
belonging to a Knanaya couple who were unable to have children.
There is also an argument about how strict the endogamous practice has been in the past. DNA tests have confirmed that the community has had significant admixture with the local population. Further more it has been illustrated that other Jews have joined the community as genetic testing indicates was certainly allowed in the past.
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
who settled in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Their origins are unclear and are hotly disputed by academic scholars. Many believe them to be in fact descendants of Yemeni Jews who once formed a significant component of the Cochin Jewish
Cochin Jews
Cochin Jews, also called Malabar Jews , are the oldest group of Jews in India, with roots claimed to date to the time of King Solomon, though historically attested migration dates from the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Historically, they lived in the Kingdom of Cochin in South India, now part of the...
population up until the sixteenth century. The Knanaya people lived in Kodungallur
Kodungallur
Kodungallur is a municipality in Thrissur District, in the state of Kerala, India on the Malabar Coast. Kodungallur is located about 29 km northwest of Kochi city and 38 km Southwest of Thrissur, on National Highway 17 . Muziris the ancient seaport at the mouth of the Periyar River was...
and were wealthy plantation owners, merchants and bankers until an assault by Muslims. This led to the Knanaya people fleeing south for refuge to places like Kottayam
Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
and Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
.
During the Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
occupation of Kerala, the Knanaya people were heavily persecuted for their Jewish beliefs. As a result of the Portuguese occupation the Knanaya population dwindled significantly, Knanaya artifacts and culture were lost, and caused the formation of two groups - Knanaya Catholics and Knanaya Jacobites. Many Knanaya later migrated at the start of the 20th and 21st century, largely westward, forming communities in non Malayalam-speaking areas, including the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. With the the vast majority of Knanaya people moving westward; the number remaining in Kerala itself is in decline.
Their endogamous belief has also led to several demographic problems including an alarming rate of cousin marriages
Cousin marriage
Cousin marriage is marriage between two cousins. In various jurisdictions and cultures, such marriages range from being considered ideal and actively encouraged, to being uncommon but still legal, to being seen as incest and legally prohibited....
as well as a raise in people choosing not to follow endogamy. Their claim as Jews has also stirred controversy as their beliefs no longer resemble Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
but rather Jewish Christianity.
Etymology
Knanaya literally means "Q'nai people" or "Kanai people". It corresponds to the Aramaic word ܛܢܢܐ meaning "zeal". Knanaya suggests a shift between Syriac ܛ and Malayalam ക. It also suggests a common origin with the Hebrew term קנאי (Q'nai or Kanai) meaning "overly-jealous" or "with-zeal". The plural form is קנאים (Kna'im). The first use of the term kanaiKanai
Kanai may refer to:*Kanai , a zealot in the scriptures*Kanai Anzen, an amulet*Nirai Kanai, an Okinawan myth*Nirai Kanai , song by MAX based on the Okinawan myth*Kainai Nation*Kurnai language...
in the Tanakh
Tanakh
The Tanakh is a name used in Judaism for the canon of the Hebrew Bible. The Tanakh is also known as the Masoretic Text or the Miqra. The name is an acronym formed from the initial Hebrew letters of the Masoretic Text's three traditional subdivisions: The Torah , Nevi'im and Ketuvim —hence...
is with Pinchas.
However, prior to the popularity of Knanaya, Thekkumbhagar, Malayalam for "Southists" was often used to describe the community. This was coined because they lived in the southern part of Kerala. Today the term Thekkumbhagar is rejected and viewed unfavorably, with a preference to identify themselves as Knanaya.
Origin and migration
Prior to the migration to Kerala, very little is actually known about the Knanaya people. Notably Knanaya have claimed to be from various locations in the middle east including Jerusalem, IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, and Şanlıurfa
Sanliurfa
Şanlıurfa, , often simply known as Urfa in daily language , in ancient times Edessa, is a city with 482,323 inhabitants Şanlıurfa, , often simply known as Urfa in daily language (Syriac ܐܘܪܗܝ Urhoy,Armenian Ուռհա Owr'ha, Arabic الرها ar-Ruhā), in ancient times Edessa, is a city with 482,323...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. There is no mutual agreement from where Knanaya lived before their arrival to Kerala.
Malabar Coast
The Malabar Coast is a long and narrow coastline on the south-western shore line of the mainland Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it comprises the wettest regions of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains, especially on their westward-facing mountain...
in AD 345, under the leadership of a prominent merchant Knai Thomman
Knai Thomman
Knai Thomman or in English, Bishop Thomas Cana, was a prominent Knanaya merchant or a Bishop from Edessa , now known as Şanlıurfa, Turkey...
. They sailed in three ships headed by a leading ship under the flag of the Magen David to Muziris
Muziris
Muziris is an ancient sea-port in Southwestern India on the Periyar River 3.2 km from its mouth. The derivation of the name Muziris is said to be from "Mucciripattanam," "mucciri" means "cleft palate" and "pattanam" means "city". Near Muziris, Periyar River was branched into two like a...
. The Knanaya were granted asylum and permission to engage in trade and settle down in Kodungallur
Kodungallur
Kodungallur is a municipality in Thrissur District, in the state of Kerala, India on the Malabar Coast. Kodungallur is located about 29 km northwest of Kochi city and 38 km Southwest of Thrissur, on National Highway 17 . Muziris the ancient seaport at the mouth of the Periyar River was...
by the then ruler of Malabar, Cheraman Perumal
Cheraman Perumal
Rama Varman Kulashekhara was the last King of the Later Chera Dynasty and the first ruler of the independent Venad state from 1102 A.D to 1122 A.D, according to the Rameswarathukoil Inscription. Kotha Varman Marthandam succeeded him as the ruler of Venad.-The end of the Chera dynasty:Rama Varman...
. The event was recorded on copper plates given to the community. In Kodungallur, they established 72 houses. It also can be noted that Knanaya do not agree why they came to Kerala. Persecution by the Romans, missionary efforts, and for the wealth of the spice trade have all been suggested.
The validity of this story is contested by scholars. There are no documented evidence of such a community existing until the 16th century. Interestingly, it is also same time when a dispute broke out between dispute over chieftain-ship broke out between two brothers, one of them named Joseph Azar
Joseph Azar
Joseph Azar was a Jewish prince of the Anjuvannam in Cochin, South India. He was a descendent of Joseph Rabban. Azar lived in the 14th century CE....
, in the Yemeni Jewish community, a component of the Cochin Jews
Cochin Jews
Cochin Jews, also called Malabar Jews , are the oldest group of Jews in India, with roots claimed to date to the time of King Solomon, though historically attested migration dates from the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Historically, they lived in the Kingdom of Cochin in South India, now part of the...
. Scholars have also noted the striking similarity between the Knanaya and the Yemeni Jews or the Black Jews of Kerala. Yemeni Jews are believed to have arrived in Kerala at about roughly the same time. They were led by Joseph Rabban
Joseph Rabban
Joseph Rabban was a Jewish merchant, possibly from Yemen, who came to the Malabar Coast in the mid eighth century. According to the traditions of the Cochin Jews, Joseph was granted the rank of prince over the Jews of Cochin by the Chera ruler Bhaskara Ravivarman II.He was granted the rulership...
a merchant through Muziris. They were given the rights to seventy-two houses in Kodungallur. The Hindu king, Cheraman Perumal, gave them approval for the Jews to live freely, construct synagogues, and acquire land. This was all documented on a pair of copper plates granting the community special privileges. The striking parallels have led many to speculate that the Knanaya are in fact the Yemeni Jews who split to form their own community.
Pre-colonial
Most of the Knanaya had remained in Kodungallur. They had become wealthy pepperPepper
- Plants and plant products :The genus Piper of the pepper family , including for example:* Black pepper, white and green pepper, Piper nigrum* Cubeb, Piper cubeba, also known as Java pepper* Long pepper, Piper longum...
plantation owners, merchants, or bankers. The Knanaya maintained close relationship with the Cochin Jews in the early 1500s. The growing Muslim population caused increasing tension with Knanaya. The Caliphate sought the wealth accumulated by the Knanaya and led assault upon Kodungallur. The Caliph's mercenaries captured Kodungallur which caused an exodus of Knanaya people fleeing for refuge in the south to Kaipuzha
Kaipuzha
Kaipuzha is a village in Kottayam District, Kerala, South India. The name Kaipuzha is derived from the two words Kai and Puzha . This is a testament to the many small canal-like rivers found in the vicinity. It is bounded by Ettumanoor to the east and Mannanam by the south...
, Kottayam
Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
, Kozhikode
Kozhikode
Kozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
, and Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
. Those who remained in Kondungallur were forced to convert to Islam. Notably the, Hawariyun (حواريون) share Knanaya ancestry .
Persecution by the Portuguese
With the arrival of the Portuguese to Kerala, the Knanaya were denounced and persecuted for their Jewish beliefs. The Nasranis and Cochin Jews were also targeted. An imperial order was passed to confiscate and sell under public auction the properties of those who celebrated PassoverPassover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
and Sukkah
Sukkah
A sukkah is a temporary hut constructed for use during the week-long Jewish festival of Sukkot. It is topped with branches and often well decorated with autumnal, harvest or Judaic themes...
. Furthermore, circumcision was prohibited as was reading and writing in Hebrew and Aramaic.. Ancient Knanaya artifacts and texts were confiscated and burned by the Portuguese as to destroy the Jewish identity of the Knanaya people. In some rare instances, Knanaya who were caught defying the imperial order were executed. The oppressive rule by the Portuguese was sometimes met with resistance. These movements were futile as the Portuguese swiftly punished Knanaya who protested with death.
The Knanaya fell victim to the Portuguese missionary efforts to Christianize them. They were forced to incorporate European changes including Mariolatry into their ancient fidelity. Despite the all this, the Knanaya managed to preserve some elements of their Jewish customs, because of their endogamous
Endogamy
Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a specific ethnic group, class, or social group, rejecting others on such basis as being unsuitable for marriage or other close personal relationships. A Greek Orthodox Christian endogamist, for example, would require that a marriage be only with another...
practice and decision to become Crypto-Jews. This is why Knanaya continue to celebrate Passover very privately without inviting any Christian friend to share the Holy Meal. Still majority of their Jewish ethos was lost. As a result of the Portuguese occupation, the Knanaya divided in two groups - Knanaya Catholics and Knanaya Jacobites.
Distortion of history
During the 19th and 20th centuries several Knanaya religious leaders came together and attempted to comprehensively rewrite Knanaya history. Severios, one of the leaders involved had been quoted stating his aims clearly. He wanted to boost the Knanaya from being a people with a past to one with a “glorious” past. This attempt meant changing the Yemeni Jewish identity to a Syriac Jewish Christian one. As a result of this, much of actual Knanaya history has been lost.Modern era
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. With the the vast majority of Knanaya people moving westward; the number remaining in Kerala itself is in decline. Even today, Knanaya are still victims of increasing missionary efforts from both Christian and Islamic missionaries desiring that they should abandon their Jewish identity, customs, and traditions.
Religion
As a consequence of the Portuguese occupation, Knanaya are split into two major groups. Knanaya Catholic was established as a result of the arrival of the Portuguese. A Knanaya Syriac Orthodox diocese was established in 1910, which reports directly to the Patriarch of Antioch of the Syrian Orthodox Church. The Knanaya Catholics and their Jewish identity and practices was acknowledged by the VaticanHoly See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
under Pope Pius X
Pope Pius X
Pope Saint Pius X , born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the 257th Pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1903 to 1914. He was the first pope since Pope Pius V to be canonized. Pius X rejected modernist interpretations of Catholic doctrine, promoting traditional devotional practices and orthodox...
, by establishing in 1911 a separate diocese for the Jewish Christians, named the Knanaya Catholic
Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam is a Roman Catholic eparchy in India, under the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, comprising Syro-Malabar faithful of the Knanaya ethnoreligious group.-History of the Archeparchy:...
and headed first by Mar Mathew Makil. However there status as Jews is still not acknowledged by Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
as they have abandoned Judaism with a Jewish Christian belief. There are a sizable population of Knanaya who are irreligious or practice some other faith.
The order of their Qurbana
Korban
The term offering as found in the Hebrew Bible in relation to the worship of Ancient Israel is mainly represented by the Hebrew noun korban whether for an animal or other offering...
(l'todah u'zevach shelamim) is as outlined in VaYikra
Vayikra (parsha)
Vayikra, VaYikra, Va-yikra, or Vayyiqra is the 24th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the first in the book of Leviticus...
. The kiddushin or betrothal is the first step in Knanaya marriage. The bridal canopy or chuppah
Chuppah
A chuppah , also huppah, chupah, or chuppa, is a canopy under which a Jewish couple stand during their wedding ceremony. It consists of a cloth or sheet, sometimes a tallit, stretched or supported over four poles, or sometimes manually held up by attendants to the ceremony. A chuppah symbolizes the...
is an essential part of the Knanaya wedding ceremony and there is a ceremonial bathing on the eve of the wedding that resembles the mikvah
Mikvah
Mikveh is a bath used for the purpose of ritual immersion in Judaism...
. The dead are buried facing the east (though Jerusalem is west of India). Thanksgiving blessings which the Knanaya use which follow the Hebrew formula, Birkat HaMazon
Birkat Hamazon
Birkat Hamazon or Birkath Hammazon, , known in English as the Grace After Meals, , is a set of Hebrew blessings that Jewish Law prescribes following a meal that includes bread or matzoh made from one or all of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt...
(ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, המוציא לחם מן הארץ).
Culture
Knanaya culture is closely related to Indian as well as Jewish. While many of their Jewish roots were lost, some still linger. Cultural contributions express the distinctiveness of the Knanaya experience. There are many Jewish customs recorded in the Peshtta still preserved by the Knanaya.Cuisine
Knanaya's history of rule by the Portuguese and settlement in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
is reflected in Knanaya cuisine, which has benefited from various cultural exchanges and contributions. Honey yeast cakes and Halwa is a popular desert item among Knanaya.
One such Knanaya Jewish cuisine preserved, is the consumption of Pesaha pal (passover coconut milk [חלב קוקוס]) on the night of Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
along with Pesaha-appam (unleavened passover bread). This tradition of Pesaha appam was observed by the entire Nasrani people until Portuguese persecution as well as the Cochin Jews.
Endogamy
Knanaya people are infamous for their strict endogamous practice. Knanaya reject the idea of conversion though, Agape shelamim is a means of communion with the community.The stringent endogamous belief has caused several demographic problems such as a steady raise in cousin marriages. The limited gene pool
Founder effect
In population genetics, the founder effect is the loss of genetic variation that occurs when a new population is established by a very small number of individuals from a larger population. It was first fully outlined by Ernst Mayr in 1942, using existing theoretical work by those such as Sewall...
also has caused worry as it means increased chances for genetic disorders as well as a reduction in genetic diversity. The increasing amount of people choosing not to follow endogamy has also been a concern.
There are many critics of the endogamous practice, both Knanaya and non-Knanaya. The practice is often described as racist or supremacist custom. While those in favor argue that it is necessary to preserve the Knanaya. A recent controversy had occurred in the community's refusal to accept adopted children
Adoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
belonging to a Knanaya couple who were unable to have children.
There is also an argument about how strict the endogamous practice has been in the past. DNA tests have confirmed that the community has had significant admixture with the local population. Further more it has been illustrated that other Jews have joined the community as genetic testing indicates was certainly allowed in the past.