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Ummas
of Beypore
20 x 26",
acrylic on paper
"Beypore
is a port town in Malabar on the Arabian Sea coast.
Eleven miles away from Calicut, this town was once considered
as one of the best ship building centres in Asia.
It was in Beypore that
the ‘urus’ were built, country crafts which were the favorites
of the spice merchants and the Arab traders.
Built by the traditional ship builders called the Khalasis
these ships sailed all over the Indian ocean carrying black gold and
merchandise to both east and west.
Khalasis
are Moslems of Malabar, also known as Mappillas. They are
considered to be the decendents of Arab traders and Malabaris.
It is said that long before the Romans, Arab traders came to
Kerala to trade in spices. Mapilla
women wear the long blouse called the Poonkuppayam with the Thattam
(scarf) on the head. Malabar women seldom venture out without the
umbrella. They
also wear heavy jewelry with rings throughout their ears." |
