Culture of Alleppey

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.