Kappiri Muthappan shrine.These shrines that are in some places in the state of Kerala are interestin
Kappiri Muthappan shrine.These shrines that are in some places in the state of Kerala are interesting for their history. We can not say to what religion they belong.They are dedicated to spirits of enslaved people brought from Africa by the Portuguese, as we know they have done in various places, especially in America, but few know that African slaves were also brought to India.It is believed that the first type shrines were made in places where slaves were kept chained, called Kappiri mathil (kappiri wall), Kappiri are as these slaves are called today in Kerala, certainly not the origin of the name, perhaps it comes from “kaffir” a term used to treat black people.Historian KL Bernard’s book ‘History of Fort Cochin’ is one of the few that has made attempts to engage with this aspect of Kochi’s history. Popularly known as Bernard master, the historian discusses what came to be called Kappiri mathil (Kappiri walls) and their subsequent evolution into protective spirits called kappiri muthappan.“In 1663, Portuguese, who had treasures made niches in their thick walls, tied up Kaffirs in them, placed their treasures beneath tied-up slaves and made them promise that the treasures would be kept safe till their descendants came to claim them. The niches were then plastered up with mortar,” Bernard says in the book.He also chronicles that the skeletons were found in two wall niches – kappiri mathils – on Rose Street near Fort Kochi close to 450 years after the enslaved men would have died. “When a building was pulled down for renovation, the skeletons of humans were found in the walls. The treasure beneath them, if there was any, had disappeared. Near the Dutch cemetery, while demolishing an old house, the contractor lighted upon a chained skeleton,” the book says.Over time, local beliefs took over and the wall niches where these slaves were chained up, began to be worshipped. The local people believe that the slaves turned into spirits which were called Kappiri Muthappans.More at https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/once-a-slave-now-a-deity/article4820623.ecehttp://africanheritageindia.org/kappiri-shrines/ -- source link
#slaves#kerala#african people