History: Where do we fit (4)

The Avarnas were not allowed to use the roof tiles till 1903 (only coconut leaf thatches were to be used) or to build upstairs or a gateway to their houses. They should wear not more than a single cloth around the waist which too shouldn’t fall below the knees. They were not allowed to stand before the doorway of their own family or community shrine. Bowing the deity directly was a taboo for the out-castes.

Caste segregation was strict. Many absurd customs were prevailing in the light of such strict separation of the society. One good example of such aggressive segregation was the existence of the dreaded custom - Pulappedi and Mannappedi - in the medieval period. According to this custom if a member of the slave castes like Pulaya, Paraya or Mannan happened to see a high caste woman alone after dusk she would be expelled from her caste. It was enough for the woman to be excommunicated, if the Mannan or Pulaya threw a stone or a stick at her or called out that he had seen her. He could take her with him. This custom prevailed till around 1696 A D.

Strictly followed rules and regulations were maintained such as 

1. keeping prescribed distance (which is different according to the status of the castes) in order not to pollute the person from superior caste 
2. removing the cloth covering the shoulders and the head, 
3. using standardized self-denouncing servile expressions in conversation and 
4. asserting bodily. 

Higher caste men when walking along the road utter a warning grunt or hoot to person of any lower castes who thereupon should retire to the prescribed distance. The minimum penalty to those who violated the law was excommunication or often death.