Figuring among India’s most martial cultures, Kodavas worship their weapons. Until a few decades ago, when a male child was born, the occasion was marked by a gunshot, announcing the birth of a warrior!

Revered by the Kodavas! Picture Courtesy: Bavna Achayya

Traditionally, during a male child’s naming ceremony, he was fed the preserved meat of a tiger, in the hope and belief that he would one day fight like one.

The land seems determined to create fierce fighters, characterized as it is by a certain rugged frontier spirit to this date. This spirit inspires Kodavas to join the armed forces, the police force …wherever there is adventure to be discovered.

A Warrior in the Making?

The exotic and differently flavoured Kodava cuisine is predominantly non-vegetarian, the signature dish being the famed Pandi curry (a pork dish) served with Kadumbuttu (rice dumplings).

Every Kodava ritual – be it a naming ceremony, marriage, or house warming, and several festivals, have an underlining martial element. At weddings even today, thick banana stems are cut using a sword – a sign that the groom’s party has fought to win the bride’s hand in marriage- a symbolic throwback to the days of yore  when men fought for the women they loved.

The good-looking Kodavas adorn themselves in multi-hued traditional apparel. And chivalry runs in the Kodava blood.

Ever been to this land of the handsome, robust warriors?

Deepti Michelle John

Deepti, based out of Bangalore, works as Assistant Manager (Marketing) at Orange County Resorts. Possessing Master’s degrees in Psychology and Media and Communications from the London School of Economics, she enjoys spirituality, music, nature, and children.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 23rd, 2012 at 10:53 AM and is filed under Culture, Destinations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.