The Origin

However, the historians differ in their opinions about the origin of the name “Nair”. When some historians argue that the name came into exist as a corrupted form of the word “Nayakar” means the leaders, some others attribute the name to the serpentine worship being followed by Nairs. Nairs were the warriors in ancient Kerala, as are quite associated with serpentine worship too. Hence both the arguments have some logic and cannot consider any one
of the as true and the other false.

Although Nair community follows the common Hindu tradition and customs, they have their own customs and practices too. Nairs have matrilineal heritage system where the right on properties etc will be inherited by the daughters from their mothers. The Nair community is quite often identified with Joint family system. The typical Tharavadu, the residential structures that houses huge joint families are the showcases of Kerala’s ancient architecture. There were Tharavadus accommodating as muych as 200 members also. However, the joint family system has come to an end with the origin of molecular families and many social scientists held this as a reason for many present day problems faced by the members of this community.

Serpentine worship and worship of various spirits (Vecharadhana) were quite common among Nairs. Each Tharavadu used to have distinguished place for the worship of Serpentine Gods (Naga) known as Sarppa kavu. These Sarppa Kavus were a miniature form of the local eco system with one or two tall trees, then bushes and creepers around it and a pond. Along with snakes, many small animals too used to live here. Later, most of the Kavus have been demolished to utilize the land for more profitable purposes, which, many environmentalists points as a reason for the changes in the climatic conditions of the state.

Nairs were quite often identified with “Kalari Payattu” the martial art of Kerala and many huge and famous Tharavadus used to have their own “Kalari” (School for learning Martial Art). Nairs were engaged in agriculture too.