Marumakkathayam (മരുമക്കത്തായം )
I was born in a traditional Nair tharavad (ancestral family) of Kerala, where Marumakkathayam (matriarchy) was practiced in those days. Though by the time I was born marumakkathayam was slowly giving way to makkathayam I have to describe for the coming generations “what is Marumakkathayam” . Marumakkathayam was a system where property rights vested with women. Every family would have a unique name, and all the members from the oldest men down to the great grand son or daughter living in the tharavad would be known by this family name. The lineage is always through female members. Perhaps this was the only society that looked upon girls with respect and ardently prayed to have their offspring to be females. The eldest male member of the family would administer the property. He was the patriarch known as Karanavar. In our case,the elder brother of my grandmother was the Karanavar. Unlike makkathayam (patriarchial line of succession) that exists today, maruma...