Mannan Elders Revisit Ancestral Histories in Participatory Dialogue at Mazhuvadi

May 11, 2025 — Mazhuvadi, Kanjikuzhi

In the serene mountain valley of Mazhuvadi, Idukki district, a remarkable gathering unfolded on 11th May 2025. Elders from the Mannan community came together in a rare participatory dialogue — an event that bridged memory, oral tradition, and collective inquiry. At the forefront of the gathering were Ayyapan, Rajappan & Kumaran, senior members from the Mannan community, who expressed joy at the opportunity to rekindle internal dialogue and reflection. They fondly recalled earlier efforts to stimulate such conversations, but unfortunately unsuccessful, and noted how heartening it was to see them taking root once again with a different outcome. Along with Ayyapan, Rajappan & Kumaran, enthusiastic individuals from the community, Sukumaran & Ramesh Gopalan, who wanted to explore the discussion on Mannan culture accompanied in the discussion.

The dialogue opened with discussions around the community’s origins, bringing to light the legendary journey of the Mannans from Madurai to their present-day settlements in Idukki. Ayyapan spoke with passion about his recent trip to Mannan Kotta in Madurai—believed to be a historic dwelling place of the community—and his personal efforts to trace these narratives.

As a socially stratified and hierarchically organized community spread across 46 hamlets, the Mannans are no strangers to regional variations in stories and practices. With no written records, their oral traditions serve as the primary mode of transmission—leaving room for evolution, reinterpretation, and, at times, contradiction. Against this backdrop, the participatory nature of the session was significant: elders debated stories, clarified myths, and younger participants posed questions about the fragmented versions they had inherited.

Over the course of the day, conversations delved into the inner workings of the Mannan socio-political order. Elders shared details about their traditional governance system, recounting the roles of the Varakkumalan, Moopan, Kaani, and Pullavasi—key decision-makers who continue to hold functional authority within the community. The group also explored the structure of the family clan system, with participants referencing their own lineages such as Aravakudi, Oorukaran, and Kunakudi. The interconnectedness of these clans, governed by a system of mutual dependence termed as mura, illustrated the subtle social networks that underpin community life.

Belief systems and ritual relationships with deities also came to the fore. Many elders offered insights into how particular clans relate to specific spiritual practices and deities, revealing a rich and textured worldview passed down through generations.

Throughout the session, community leaders played an active role in encouraging open dialogue. Their leadership helped ensure that the gathering remained inclusive and participatory, drawing out voices from across age groups and settlements. ‘Uncle, you may tell your own story’ Sukumaran, Oorumoopan from Mavadi instructs his uncle, Kaanikaran Rajappan.

As the day drew to a close, the gathering culminated in a moment of artistic and emotional resonance: community members came together to share a Mannan Koothu song. The performance, based on the epic tale of Kannaki and Kovalan, served as a reminder of how deeply intertwined oral history, performance, and identity are for the Mannan people. Adding another layer to the day’s exploration was the storytelling around Vaathi, the community’s revered spiritual figure, and their deep-rooted relationship with nature. Narratives of Aana Vaathi (Elephant Vaathi) and Puli Vaathi (Tiger Vaathi) were shared with vivid detail—reflecting the symbolic role of animals, landscapes, and spirits in the Mannan cosmology. These stories, passed down through generations, reinforced the community’s deep ecological sensibility and the spiritual guardianship they attribute to nature.

This gathering at Mazhuvadi marked not just a reflection on the past, but a step toward collective remembering—anchoring history not just in words, but in shared voices.

In Photo : (From Left) Ayyapan, Rajappan & Kumaran