Koli Christians
Encyclopedia
Koli Christians are a religious subset of the Kolis, the indigenous people of the seven islands of Bombay
, which now form part of the modern city of Mumbai
. In 1989, there were approximately 9,000 Koli Christians, most of whom were fishermen, like their Hindu
counterparts. Koli Christians blend the customs and traditions of the Koli people with the beliefs of the Roman Catholic church. In accordance with Koli tradition, marriages among Koli Christians are typically arranged
, and certain ceremonies are observed in common with Hindu Kolis, such as the Shakarpura (sugar
) ceremony of betrothal, but Christian practices are also observed, including the conducting of the wedding in a church. Although cross cousin marriage
has been traditional practice among the Kolis, Koli Christians are discouraged from doing so by their religion.
Koli Christians live in Koliwada
s, where their social lives are overseen by a patil
and his karbaris, or councillors. Holding their position by right of inheritance, these people are collectively known as the jamat. The bulk of Koli Christians fish for a living, with their catches being taken to market in Mumbai by fishwives
or agents. Middlemen have in the past contributed to the poverty of the group, exploiting the labor of the fishermen, but as of 1989, more Koli Christians were marketing their catches themselves.
Seven islands of Bombay
The seven islands of Bombay were an archipelago of islands that were, over a span of five centuries, connected to form the area of the modern city of Mumbai in India. The seven islands were gradually physically united through land reclamation projects...
, which now form part of the modern city of Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. In 1989, there were approximately 9,000 Koli Christians, most of whom were fishermen, like their Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
counterparts. Koli Christians blend the customs and traditions of the Koli people with the beliefs of the Roman Catholic church. In accordance with Koli tradition, marriages among Koli Christians are typically arranged
Arranged marriage
An arranged marriage is a practice in which someone other than the couple getting married makes the selection of the persons to be wed, meanwhile curtailing or avoiding the process of courtship. Such marriages had deep roots in royal and aristocratic families around the world...
, and certain ceremonies are observed in common with Hindu Kolis, such as the Shakarpura (sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
) ceremony of betrothal, but Christian practices are also observed, including the conducting of the wedding in a church. Although cross cousin marriage
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....
has been traditional practice among the Kolis, Koli Christians are discouraged from doing so by their religion.
Koli Christians live in Koliwada
Koliwada
Koliwada refers to a colony of Kolis in India. Several places named Koliwada are located across the Mumbai city in India:* Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar * Juhu Koliwada* Koliwada, Madh-Fish market:...
s, where their social lives are overseen by a patil
Patil
Patil is an Indian title or lastname. "Patil" is predominantly used by Inhabitants of Deccan Maratha people . The native language of most Patils is predominantly either Kannada or Marathi...
and his karbaris, or councillors. Holding their position by right of inheritance, these people are collectively known as the jamat. The bulk of Koli Christians fish for a living, with their catches being taken to market in Mumbai by fishwives
Fishwife
A fishwife or fish fag is a woman who sells fish. In this context, the word wife means woman rather than married woman. This usage stems from Old English wif and is akin to the German weib, also meaning "woman"...
or agents. Middlemen have in the past contributed to the poverty of the group, exploiting the labor of the fishermen, but as of 1989, more Koli Christians were marketing their catches themselves.