Salem Semmanur Nagara Chettiayar’s Cultural Rituals – Ethnographical Research

Abstract

In ethnic social life each race has its differences due to the environment in which they live. Some common customs are found in all communities. Transition in cultural life is natural. It is human nature to set each of the transitions in relation to a ritual. Salem Chemmanur Chettiars perform biological rituals during each transition. Human life is characterized by various transitions from birth to death. Rituals and beliefs are found in every community. Putting the sugar water on the baby at birth is seen as a ritual. These rituals are performed according to the developmental stage of the child as he or she grows to a certain size, such as a hemisphere rope around the waist. Such rituals are common among the girl child and some other rituals are performed as she grows up. Women perform the flowering ritual during flowering. Booppu ritual is seen as a defilement ritual. Poop is the first menstrual period. The flower is a sign that the woman has become fertile. This event is considered as an important transformation of life. Like this, wedding ceremonies are considered to be the primary transition ceremony. Death rites are the final event of human life. Various such rituals are observed in the lives of the Chettiars of Salem Semmanur.