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Abstract |
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This paper aims to clarify the aspect of jaram (Islamic mausoleum in Kerala) as a device to form, fix and transmit collective memory.Here I discuss the cases of Malapulam and Mambram which had an important role in the Mappila (Kerala Muslim) history of resistance against Hindu landlords and English rule. Malapulam Jaram enshrines 44 martyrs who are believed to have died in the battle between a local chieftain and Mappilas in the 18th century. Its Nercha, the festival played a role to transmit the collective memory of antagonism between Mappila and Hindu landlords which prevailed in the region and the idea of martyrdom, and to produce a spiritual climate to have Mappila Rebellion occur in the 19th century. Mambram Jaram is the largest Muslim pilgrim center, where Sayyid Alawi is enshrined. He and his son Sayyid Fazel had lower caste people convert to Islam in south Malabar in the 18th century and preached Mappila people not to follow the caste rule, which constrained them even after conversion. Furthermore they played a role as a spiritual leader in the rebellion, by sanctioning the revolt against Hindu landlords and colonial power. Then Jarams of martyrs became to make the next martyrdom by transmitting collective memories of martyrdom, which will be discussed in the next paper. In this paper, I discuss the collective memories about Sayyid Alawi and Mambram which are transmitted to the present in the perspective of the following development of Jarams. |
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