Culturally, the people of Lakshadweeep are similar to the people of Kerala. Even the language used is same as that of Keralites. The language used is Malayalam except in Minicoy, where Mahi is spoken. The people of the region are honest and there is less crime rate here. Women chant the folk ballads during household chores. Memories of the past as the arrival of Hazrat Ubaidulla in Lakshadweep, the plunder of the islands by the Portuguese, are kept alive by these ballads. The men have spirited folk dances. Women are very humble and meek. They dress very colorfully and in variety. On houses, furniture and boats. The majority of the people in Lakshadweep are Muslims. Majority of the Muslims belong to the Sufi School of the Sunni sect and they accept both the Koran and the Sunnet. There are also Wahabis and Ahamadiyas who are small minority. The Wahabis have separate mosques in Agatti and Kavaratti and the Ahamadiyas are found only in Kalpeni.
Almost all the festivals like; Id-ul-fitr, Bakrid, Milad-Ul-Nabi and Muharram are celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement.
Id-ul-fitr - is observed as soon as the new moon is sighted at the end of Ramadan or month of fasting. On this festive occasion special food and delicacies are made and distributed to neighbors and friends.
Bakri-id - This festival is observed to pay homage to Prophet Ibrahim`s readiness to sacrifice his son for God`s sake. It is the festival of sacrifice. It is the festival that marks the completion of pilgrimage to Mecca.
Milad-Ul-Nabi - this is the festival, when the Muslims celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.
Muharram - is the day when people mourn the Karbala tragedy when Imam Husain, grandson of
Prophet Muhammad, was martyred. They observe this day by carrying decorated taziyas that are the replicas of martyr`s tomb. People mourn his death by beating their chests.
The festivals of Urs of Ubaidullah (at Andrott) and Syed Muhammed Kasim (at Kavaratti) are celebrated every year.
In Lakshadweep women enjoy a very unique position. The Marumakkathayam system of inheritance, under which Tharwad property descends through the female line saves is in vogue here. Ancestral or Tharwad property is equally shared among the members of the joint family in Kavaratti and Agatti, whereas in Andrott the division is between the Thavazhi only. The eldest male member of the family known as Karanavan manages the Tharwad. The husband is obliged to make an annual payment towards the maintenance of the wife, which is part of the marriage contract. The wife has full freedom to demand a divorce on grounds of non-payment of these dues. Divorce is not a disqualification for a woman to seek a fresh alliance. There is also no ban on the remarriage of a widow.
The people of Lakshadweep prefer spicy vegetarian food with a generous amount of coconut thrown in. The non-vegetarians prefer curried, fried and barbecued fish and meat. Their diet is heavily fish-centered. The food forms like rice, vegetables and tinned food are transported from Kerala.
