Marati tribes are one of the ancient tribes of the state of Kerala. The Marati tribes carry on agriculture on their own fields cultivates their own fields; ‘cattle rearing’ and dairy are the subsidiary occupation.

Although the economy of these Marati tribes is agrarian based, they are financially more affluent and sound than another tribes of the whole of the Kerala state. Some of the educated people of this community go for better jobs.

Also the society of these Marati tribes follows the norms of a typical patrilineal society. They practice tribal endogamy and also clan exogamy. On all the significant affairs be it social or religion, these Marati tribes always take advice of the ‘Hindu Brahmin priest’, better known as the ‘purohit’.

Marriage is celebrated with great pompousness and merriment among the tribal group. Almost all the Marati tribes fete the occasions by observing lots of rites and rituals. All the Marati grooms have to pay bride price, which is famous custom of acquiring bride. Also ‘sororate’ marriage is permitted. Polygamy is also prevalent amongst these Marati tribes. The practice of remarriage or divorce is also prevalent in the society of the Marati tribes. However, it is customary for these Marati tribes that they do not marry, dine or even maintain friendly relations with the members of the other tribal communities. On all the important matters or issues, these Marati tribes seek the advice of a village head whom they have chosen for better administration and controlling. This Marati headman goes to all social occasions of the society.

The major language that they speak is Marathi language. Quite a handful of these Marati tribes have adapted fluency in other languages like Tulu, Kannada and Malayalam languages. For writing, these scripts used languages like Malayalam and Kannada.

This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com