MYTHS AND MYTHOLOGY OF
GOD’S OWN LAND (PART II)

There were several interesting myths in the form of superstitions stitched in and around different levels of life of which some of them are still influencing many life styles. One of them is related to rubies. The belief is that there are three varieties of such stones. They are "Nenumanikkam", a rare grain lying hidden in paddy crops, "Aranamanikkam", second kind of rare stones that are hidden in the cheeks of lizards, "Nagamanikkam", another kind described as serpent ruby. The serpents which create the rubies are supposed to put wings and soar high in the air with the rubies and drop them. Those who have the rare chances of possessing them are most fortunate. Those who come across the "Nenumanikkam", preserve them as a precious jewels for pasting on ornaments. They worship them throughout their lives.

The primitive Dravidian arts of magic and witchcraft are employed in curing diseases and to destruct hostile influences from other individuals as well as from the society as a whole. The devil dancer of a village called "Velan" believed that his art could bring creative effects on many human maladies. He holds the horn of an antelope near his ear and makes pronouncements against the evil deeds of the enemy and discovers the exact spot near victim’s house where the symbol of the evil is hidden. Such magical art is being celebrated once in 12 years at the Lord Krishna Temple near Ambalapuzha by the name "Pallippanas" performed by "Poranadi". About thirty years ago the massive ceremony called "Vijayabali" was organized at Ambalapuzha, which was to happen once in 144 years, that is after the completion of twelve "Pallipanas".

The "Velan" of a village used to conduct a ritual called "Pattatabali", a sacrifice at the funeral place. This was meant for eliminating demoniacal influences that overtake the members of a family or community as a whole. This self-persecution is an integral part of the exorcist practices, that is meant for self-purification for the sake of a better life within an individual and of the society as a whole.

The Namboothiri families used to practice sorcery according to ancient texts. Their origin is described as a combination of twelve spirits of which six of them were for the propitiation of evil spirits and the remaining six for the good ones. Three of such noticeable magician families are Kallur, Kattumatan and Akavoor. However, Brahmin priests generally do not follow inferior black magic. Those Namboothiri families who own an array of servile spirits called "Chattan". These spirits, known as "Chattan", completely surrender as slaves to their masters. But such loyalties from ‘Chattan" to his masters are believed to be built up on strict rules. Breaking any of such rules by any master could result in material downfall, physical and mental ailments, etc.

Certain families have inherited specific remedies for jaundice, spider poison, chicken pox, etc. The medicines are prepared from very simple naturally occurring materials like herbs, leaves, ash and several other edible parts of fruits. In several temples in Kerala treating diseases both physical and mental, continues to exist even today. There are places like "Chimeni" in Cannannore district where people bitten by snakes are taken into temples for holy treatments. They will be given turmeric paste to apply to heal the wound and turmeric solution as oral medicine. In another temple at Muruthorvattam in Alappuzha district a peculiar type of curry made of a particular plant is given to people ailing from stomach disorders especially on a new moon night. The Sasta Temple at Thakazhi in Alappuzha district is famous for the magic ointment and oil prepared from various herbs and its effectiveness against many skin diseases and rheumatism. The art of such treatment and the secrecy always rest with in the same hands. These secrets will be systematically delivered on to the next chief of the household in a traditional manner.

The goddess temple at Chottanikara near Kochi is an asylum for those who suffer from epilepsy. Patients especially women under the magical spell of evil spirits are taken to this temple where they are asked to stick nails on to a huge pipal tree using their forehead. By doing so they believe that the evil spirits residing within them go down into the trunk of the tree forever freeing the human body from such evil spirits.

Whatever be the credibility of these semi-superstitious rituals such practices were in existence for several years. When modern therapeutic protocols took over the predominance the former profession slowly declined and some of the valuable and logic recipes got translated into another popular branch of alternate therapy called "Ayurveda" (to gather additional information about alternate therapy including Ayurveda, please refer "Science Corner" accessible from the home page)

HARI KOCHAT

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