Invoking the Dead: Exploring the Worldview of the Karimpalan tribe of Kerala

Abstract (English)

Invoking the Dead: Exploring the Worldview of the Karimpalan tribe of Kerala
Abstract
Religion and Worldview plays a vital role in the socio-cultural life of the tribal people. These are deeply rooted in their life ways. Rituals and ceremonies are part of their life. There are various tribal groups in Kerala and Karimpalan is one of the tribal groups practicing different rituals and ceremonies. Honoring the dead is an important part of the religious life of the Karimpalans of northern Kerala. They observe ancestral worship. Their funeral rituals, particularly the penakettal ceremony, a sacred journey to guide the departed soul into the afterlife, offer a fascinating glimpse into their spiritual world.
As part of this, the community ceremonially constructs a temporary shrine, honouring the deceased with offerings of food and drink. As they perform specific chants and dances, they believe they are appeasing the spirits and preventing them from causing any harm to the living. Beyond these rituals, the Karimpalan people erect memorial pillars, a tangible symbol of their reverence for the departed. These pillars serve as a bridge between generations, connecting the living with their ancestors.
This study not only sheds light on the specific beliefs and customs of the Karimpalan community but also contributes to a broader understanding of spiritual world with regards to the death rituals among the tribes in India. It highlights the pliability of tradition and the ways in which indigenous communities continue to shape their relationship with the natural world and the spiritual realm. This study examines the nuances of the practices and customs and the worldview of the Karimpalan community of Kerala.