PREFACE

KNANAYA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It will be a great fault from my part if I do not use this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to those persons who have helped me a lot. REV. FR. JOSE KARIMATTAM was not only a director in my work, but was really an encourager, his friendly and adaptable nature helped me a lot. I am really proud of being a student of such a many-faceted professor. For all the apt guidance and directions, may I express my heartfelt gratitude to him. REV. DR. JOSE THARAYIL, a Knanaya priest who is very proud of being called a knanite, has done a lot to arise such feelings in us. He spent much of his valuable time for me, to discuss various points, to correct the manuscripts and so on. He allowed me to use his personal library. May I convey my sincere thanks to him which words fail to convey. Reverend and loving brothers, OlickalPuthenpurayil, Chakkummoottil, Kolamkanny, Mannoor, Vattapparambil, Thenammackal etc. have helped me lot to present this paper so neatly. My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them. A special word of thanks to Rev. Fr. Francis Keeranpara, who availed himself and his computer for me. May I thank all those who co-operated with me in the production of this work, especially those who have shared their ideas.

PREFACE

We are living in a world where extreme forms of castism, racism, ethnicism, communalism, fundamentalism, etc., are doing much harm to the whole humanity. We hear about racial problems in the United States of America and Africa, ethnic clashes in the Arab Countries, communal and caste problems in North India, fundamentalist tendencies in various religions, etc. It is true that all these kinds of extreme forms are menace to the whole humanity. At this juncture I looked into myself, a sort of introspection, whether my community belongs to anyone of these categories. Is it a caste? A race? Or an ethnic group? Has it got the tendencies of fundamentalism and communalism? This identification was very important to decide whether it is a nuisance to the whole universe by creating division in the human world and hostility towards others or is it a valuable, remarkable asset to humanity by adding beauty to the nature as the different types of flowers in a garden adds beauty to it.

This introspection led me to read a lot on this subject, both appreciating and criticizing. I am very grateful to certain persons also such as, my parents, Rev. Msgr. Jacob Kollaparambil, and Rev. Dr. Jacob Vellian, who inspired me to have a thorough, critical evaluation of these things, and to have a balanced view about these, and to accept what is right. From my readings and study, I could understand that Knanaya community is an existing reality and no one can deny it. It has got a rich culture, which is manifested through its lengthy history, customs and traditions, folk songs etc. The variety and cultural richness of the community made Mar Varkey Vithayathil, the major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church to call it, “The eighth wonder of the world” (Vithayathil, July 1999,1).

But sad to say, in all the above said aspects, she has been misunderstood either unknowingly or knowingly, either accidentally or deliberately. True, it has an identity of its own, but a distorted one being used by many for personal benefits. This distortion is well evident in her history. In order to establish each one’s vested interests, the historians who wrote huge works on Indian church history, but has spent not even a single page to mention about this community consisting of more than two lakhs of people.

With these thoughts in my mind, I started studying its history, culture, and its sociology. Its culture is marvelous and is very deep in its symbolic meanings. What I have heard of the community was that they were a closed group, a group that is not open to other cultures. But the fact is that the basic character of it is, its power of adaptability. It has made use of many cultures. Whatever good she finds, she makes it her own. She is interested in sharing as well. The other thing l noticed was the close link between the community and the church. It is very difficult to separate one from the other and any such attempt is a play on the rope. There is always the possibility of slipping down. However, once we spend time and energy to untie that knot, it will be a thrilling experience. I may be on the peak of such a thrill.

This study contains three chapters, namely, Historical Identity, Socio-Cultural Identity and Ecclesiastical Identity of the Knanaya Community. The main purpose of this study is to prove the existence of the community from historical and sociological aspects as well as its distinction between the Knanaya Catholic community. I have added an appendix at the end, which is the result of an interview conducted by me. I made it with the minimum available resources, and hence I do not claim that the results will be hundred percent accurate.

This study is only a beginning, a pure starting alone. Much of the treasures of the community are to be explored further. And I pray, let this study be an introduction to your further studies on this subjects. Hence I have not given a formal introduction before the chapters. Let the chapters introduce you to the community.

Alwaye, India. Abraham Mukalel

January 31, 2000.

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