The Cultural Mosaic of Fort Cochin & Mattancherry
- Jews: The Jews are one of the oldest communities in Cochin, who trace their origin to the 1st century CE, when they arrived as traders and refugees. They settled in the area known as Jew Town, near the Mattancherry Palace. They built the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth, in 1568 CE. This Cochin Electric Co. Pvt. Ltd was started in 1926 and this community managed it, till the 70s before it was taken over by Kerala State Electricity Board. The Jews celebrate festivals such as Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, and Purim, with prayers, rituals, and feasts. Currently this community has practically no representation, as all of them have migrated to their homeland.
- Konkanis: The Konkanis are a community of Gaud Saraswat Brahmins. They speak Konkani, a language that originated in the Konkan coast of India and migrated to Kerala from the 12th century onwards. They have a socio-religious centre called Thirumala Devaswom or Gosripuram in Mattancherry. The Konkanis are one of the most persecuted communities in India, having fled their homeland on the country’s southwestern coast due to persecution by the Mughals and Portuguese. The Konkanis who came to Kochi were allowed by King Veera Kerala Varma to settle down in the kingdom. He allotted them an area behind his palace at Mattancherry called Cherrlai. The Konkanis celebrate almost all festivals in Hinduism, and follow the Hindu lunar calendar (Panchang in Konkani) that gives the days on which the fasts and festivals should be observed. Some of the festivals celebrated by the Konkanis are Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Navratri and Holi.
- Gujaratis: The Gujaratis are a community of traders and merchants who migrated from Gujarat in the 19th century. Their language is Gujarati. They have established many businesses in Mattancherry, especially in the Bazaar Road area. The Gujaratis celebrate festivals such as Navratri, Diwali, Holi with dances, fireworks, and sweets.
- Jains: The Jains are a community of followers of Jainism, an ancient religion that teaches non-violence, truth, and compassion. They migrated from Rajasthan and Gujarat in the 19th century. They speak Hindi, Gujarati, and Marwari. They have a temple called Shri Jain Shwetambar Temple in Gujarati Road, Mattancherry. The Jains celebrate festivals such as Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushan, Diwali, and Kshamavani, with prayers, fasting, and forgiveness.
- Memons: The Memons are a community of Sunni Muslims who originated from Sindh and Kutch in Pakistan. They migrated to Cochin in the 19th century. They speak Memoni, a dialect of Sindhi. They have a mosque called Memon Jamat Khana in Bazaar Road, Mattancherry. The Memons celebrate festivals such as Eid, Muharram, Milad-un-Nabi, and Urs, with prayers, charity, and gatherings.
- Marathis: The Marathis are a community of soldiers and workers who came from Maharashtra in the 18th century. They were employed by the rulers of Cochin and Travancore as security guards and labourers. They speak Marathi, a language that originated in the Deccan plateau of India. They have a temple called Shri Venkateswara Temple in Fort Cochin. The Marathis celebrate festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Padwa, Shiv Jayanti, and Holi, with idols, flags, processions, and colours.
- Tamils: The Tamils are a community of people who came from Tamil Nadu in the 19th and 20th centuries. They were mostly involved in fishing, coir making, and agriculture. They speak Tamil, a language that originated in the southern part of India. One of their temples is Thiruvalluvar Temple. Tamils celebrate festivals such as Pongal, Tamil New Year, Karthigai Deepam.
- Kashmiris: The Kashmiris are a community of traders who hail from the Kashmir region of India. They are mostly involved in selling handicrafts, shawls, carpets, and other products from Kashmir. They migrated to Cochin in the 1990s, when the insurgency in Kashmir intensified. They speak Kashmiri, a language that originated in the Himalayan valley of India. They do not have any specific geographic location to live together as a community. They are scattered throughout Mattancherry and Fort Cochin. The Kashmiris celebrate festivals such as Eid, Muharram, Shab-e-Barat with prayers, charity, and fasting.
- Muslims: The Muslim community grew when the Arabs first started to settle in Malabar and later in Mattancherry. They are a thriving community.
- Christians: Fort Cochin is primarily home to the Latin Christians, who were influenced by European settlers. In Mattancherry, you’ll find a mix of Christian communities, including Latin Catholics and Syrian Christians. The other Christian denominations like Marthomites, Jacobites and Orthodox Christians are also well represented.
- Anglo Indians: The descendants of the colonisers are struggling hard to retain their identity, culture and traditions. The community has contributed to the rich cultural heritage of Fort Cochin.
- Kudumbi: They speak Konkani and were mainly farming and fishing. Their place of worship is Sree Gopalakrishan Temple in Koovapadam.
- Goan Sonars: The Goan Sonars are a community of goldsmiths who migrated to Mattancherry from Goa.
- Agarwals: They are one of the Bania (merchant) communities in India, which includes other merchant communities like Maheshwari and Oswals. In inscriptions and texts, the original home of the Agarwal community is stated as Agroha, near Hisar, Haryana.
- Tamil Vishwakarmas: They are a community of craftsmen and artisans who trace their roots back to various places in Tamil Nadu.
- Hyderabadi Dakhini: They speak Urdu and are from Andhra Pradesh and they worship at Chembitta Palli.
- Fort Kochi Pulaya Mahasabha: They worship at Pulimoottil Subrahmanya temple.
- Vaniyan: They came from Goa & Maharashtra engaged in farming and business. They worship at Sri Janardana Devasom temple in Amaravathi and they celebrate Annakkali and Diwali.