March 21, 2012
Culture of Alleppey
Alleppey
(Alappuzha)-the land of canals and houseboats reflects a typical coastal Kerala culture. The main occupation is
agriculture here along with fisheries, toddy tapping and coir works. Alleppey is
mainly known for coir industry. The Kottanadu region comprising of Alleppey and
Mavalikera is known for the rice cultivation. So, one would guess the lifestyle
in Alleppey is very much a coastal culture based on occupations related to
water.
The area is comprises of Nambiars,
Nayers, Muslims and also Christians. Customs are oriented mainly wards
traditional setting. Snake boat race, Mohiniattam and Kathakkali dances have
been a part of its culture. The traditional festivals and fairs would be
accompanied by folk songs, folk dances, boat race and by putting Pookalam
(rangoli made with flowers). Men wear typical Keralaite ‘Lungi’ and the women wear typical white
with zari bordered saree during festive occasions. People speak Malayalam and
English.
Alleppey has been a major business
center since long back. Now, it is a tourist spot offering calm and clean
lagoons, coconut trees on both sides of canals, and houseboats anchored in
water. So, tourism has been a major attraction here and a source of employment
too. The culture of Kerala as one would see elsewhere in Kerala is explicitly
visible here.
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