 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. |
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