people
Kozhikode has been a multiethnic and multi-religious town since the
early medieval period, as it was an important trading port in the Indian
ocean. Hindus form the largest community, followed by Muslims and
Christians respectively.[7]
The Hindu community worship all the major Gods and Goddesses of the
Hindu pantheon as well as several minor deities. Vishnu and Shiva are
the major Gods worshipped. The temples, like the others in Kerala, are
in many respects different from those of the East Coast. Elaborate rules
prescribed by the Sastras are followed in their construction. The Kavu
dedicated to the Bhadrakali is a typical example. They have their own
oracles called Velichappad. There are also temples devoted to such
deities as Ayyappan, Hanuman, and Garuda. Serpent worship has been
widely prevalent here. Ancestor worship is also practised by the
Hindus.[7]
The Muslims of Kozhikode are known as Mappilas, the great majority of
whom are Sunnis following the Shafi school of thought.[7] There are also
some smaller communities among the Muslims such as Dawoodi Bohras.[8]
Many of the Muslims living in the historic part of the city follow
matriliny. They are noted for their piety.[9] In fact, Mappila is a
Dravidian word, meaning a newly-wed husband coming to his wife's house.
The argument is that the infant Muslim community in Malabar adopted it
as a convenient arrangement that they were familiar with, owing to the
increasing number of marriages between West Asian traders who visited
the area for business and Malabar women belonging to trading
families.[10]
Though Christianity is believed to have been introduced in Kerala in 52
AD, not much progress was made by the Christians of this district before
the advent of the Portuguese towards the close of the 15th century.
Christians of Travancore and Cochin have migrated to the hilly regions
of the district and have settled there.
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