Playing God: Belief and Ritual in the Muttappan Cult of North Malabar

by Theodore Gabriel

Overview

"This fascinating little book deals in detail with what at first might seem a small cult, colourful and dynamic certainly, but of significance merely local to its place of origin in the Indian state of Kerala. As the story unfolds, however, it becomes clear that this is far from the case, and that the phenomenon is full of interest for students of the history of religions. From Dr Gabriel's many other writings we have learned to expect patient investigation and humane and sympathetic interpretation. In this book we find those qualities once more abundantly on display." - From the Foreword by Professor Andrew Walls, Liverpool Hope University "This very short study of a possession cult in India raises important questions about the relation of religion to social organization — and of the relation of religions to each other." - David Eller, Community College of Denver, Anthropology Review Database June 26, 2011 Playing God discusses the genre of rituals known as Teyyam extant in the North Malabar region of Kerala State, India. In this elaborately costumed ritual practitioners invoke the spirit of a deity into themselves that constitutes a splendid theophany in which, when the ritual process is over, the devotees are able to talk to the god and invoke his/her blessings and predictions of their future. This book concentrates on the cult of the Muttappan duo of gods, the most popular among the Teyyams of North Malabar. Playing God analyses the mythology and ritual praxis of the Muttappan cult and examines attempts to integrate the cult into a wider Hinduism by enunciating a new hermeneutic of the legend and rituals based on the Hindu Advaitic tradition. The book also discusses how the Teyyam ritual contrasts significantly with rituals and worship in Brahminical Hinduism. The popularity of the cult is a reflection of the changing relationships between castes in Kerala, involving a closer symbiosis and reflecting the urge by the untouchable groups of Kerala to gain a higher standing and acceptance in Keralan Hindu society. The rituals are rich in theological significance and symbolism, and have links to the performing arts of Kerala such as Kathakali and Ottam Tullal.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781781790373
Publisher:	Equinox Publishing
Publication date:	09/30/2013
Pages:	120
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Theodore Gabriel is Associate Senior Lecturer and Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Gloucestershire. He was born and had his early education in Kerala. After obtaining a postgradute degree in Sociology and Anthropology at Shivaji University, Maharashtra, he did research work at the University of Aberdeen leading to his MLitt and Ph D degrees in Comparative Religion. He is the author of Lakshadweep, History, Religion and Society (New Delhi, Books and Books, 1989), Hindu-Muslim Relations in North Malabar 1498-1947 (E. Mellen Press, 1996), Hindu and Muslim Inter-Religious Relations in Malaysia (E. Mellen Press, 2000) and the co-editor of Mysticisms, East and West: Studies in Mystical Experience (Paternoster Press, 2003). His research interests are in Islam in South and south East Asia, Hinduism in South India, Inter-Faith Relations and Tribal Religions.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Professor Andrew Walls, Liverpool Hope University Chapter 1 Introduction and a short account of Kerala and the North Malabar Region Chapter 2 Religion and caste in North Malabar Chapter 3: Spirit possession and ritual praxis in North Malabar the Teyyam Chapter 4 The Muttappan Legend and emancipation of untouchables in North Malabar Chapter 5 The Rituals of the Muttappan Cult Chapter 6 Sanskritisation of the Muttappan Cult A new hermeneutic for the Muttappan legend and ritual Chapter 7 Conclusion