Fishermen of Coastal Villages especially Mana...

Fishermen of Coastal Villages especially Manapad - A Study

Author Name : K. Mary Vino Lobo

ABSTRACT

Manapad, situated on the southern tringe of Tamil Nadu is called as the coast of pearl fishery. It is peacefully rested in a small curving promontory, on the shore of Mannar.

The people of Manapad say many reasons for the name of the village.

The history of the Fishery Coast and the history of the Paravas (now also known as Bharathar and Bharathavar) are inseparable.The word ‘Paravan’ in classical Tamil denotes ‘man of the sea’. Its plural form in Tamil is Paravas.

The fishing profession keep adult males and even minor’s sons at sea and this is congregations, occasional marriages and attendants at religious feasts in adjoining villages.

First of all, one should understand the meaning of “Jathi”. “Jathi” means the headman, headman means the king of the paravas appointed by the people or in other words “Jathi” means the people or the general customs of the people.

The fishing profession keep adult males and even minor’s sons at sea and this is congregations, occasional marriages and attendants at religious feasts in adjoining villages.

On auspicious occasions like religious festivals, Marriages etc., food is served on banana leaves. Usually men were two garments, the lower one from waist down towards to the knee half way down to the ankles and the upper one thrown a kind of show partly over shoulders. People use clothing made of Cotton, polyester, voiland silk.

Marriage is one of the most important institutions in the social life of the any people.  The Christian marriage, of course, is a grand and expensive festivity among these people. Three banks are announced before marriage in the church during Sunday Masses.

Manapad being a village is known for its beauty and celebrity.  A fisherman who works tirelessly day and night. Their work is their identity.

“Without the fisherman, there is no fish” _ Lalliah Gifty Akita.