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This tradition came into practice and was followed by every one in the
Bunts' community with the belief that it was an ancient practice. Bunts
still believe that this tradition was inherited from a king Bhutala
Pandya who ruled Tulunaadu and introduced this system - 77 A.D. It is
said that when the maternal uncle,king Deva Pandya of prince Bhutala
Pandya wanted to launch his newly constructed ships with valuable cargo
in them. The king of Demons Kundodara demanded a human sacrifice. The
king Deva Pandya desperately asked his wife's permission to offer one of
his sons for sacrifice,but his wife refused and went away with her seven
children.But his sister Satyavati offered her son Jaya Pandya for the
sacrifice.The king of demons,Kundodara discovering the child's sign of
future greatness,waived the sacrifice and permitted ship to sail.He then
took the child, restored to him his father's kingdom of Jayantika and
gave him the name Bhutala Pandya. When some of the ships brought immense
wealth,the demon again appeared and demanded from Deva Pandya
another sacrifice.
The king Deva Pandya again was frustrated and consulted his wife,she
refused to comply with the request and publicly renounced her title and
that of her children to valuable property brought in the ships. Then
Kundodara demanded that Deva Pandya disinherit his sons of the wealth
which had been brought in those ships and also of the kingdom and to
bestow all on his sister's son Bhutala Pandya.So Bhutala Pandya
inherited his kingdom from his maternal uncle not from his father. And
ruled for 75 years during 77 A.D.Then his nephew Vidyadyumna Pandya
inherited the kingdom and ruled 81 years and like. The Aliyasantana /
Materiarchal syste -(The system of inheritance through female
line.),gives property rights to the lady and all rights are centralized
on her,example: Some of the surnames of Bunts come from the mother side.
The name of the mother's ancestral house normally became the prefix or
suffix of one's name. This may be because when men went to the
battlefield,the wife took the whole responsibility of the family and
became the decision-maker.So in the Aliyasantana system more importance
is given to the mother's side of the family. More respect is given to
maternal uncles than to the paternal uncles.
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BUNT CATEGORIES
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There are different categories like Bantaru, Nadavaru, JainBunts, Masaadika Bunts, Parivaara
Bunts, Setru, Halarusetru, Baraga, Ullaye, Dokkaludethi, Kartharu, Palavaru, Okkelakalu.
Maasaadika
Bunts :They are the Tulu speaking common Bunts of
Tulunaadu,who have mostly settled in the Southern part of South Kanara
from Udupi to Kasaragod.
Naadavas
or Nadabunts :They are Kannada Speaking people from northern
parts of South Kanara from Brahmavar to Baindoor.
Parivaara
Bunts :They are
normally from northern side their culture is similar to other divisions
but matrimonial relationships are restricted with other divisions. They
follow Brahmin culture.
Jain Bunts :They are bunts who converted to Jainism. They were
influenced by Jain Kings their surnames are like Alva,
Hegde,Banga,Konde,Ajila etc.
Culture :
Tuluva
cultures is an amazing blend of Vedic and Dravidian practices. Even
today the big families in some villages have the respect of
"GUTHU"
or "BEEDU".
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MARRIAGES IN
BUNTS |
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In olden days, in the absence of motorized transport the marriage
alliance took place between families close to each other, Uncles and
Maternal uncle’s children married each other. The engagement ceremony
was very simple,only a few elders from both the families used to be
present and the engagement was conducted at the Brides’ house.No
women from the boy’s family participated.
Simple Muhurtham is performed at the bride’s or groom’s place on the
day of the marriage or the previous day. Marriage was also simple
without pomp and show.
During those days, being a joint
’Aliya Santhana
family’ the mass marriage expenses were borne by ‘Yajamana’ of the
family. Only relatives and friends who attended the marriage used to
give cash gifts and a list of cash gifts was made so as to return the
gifts,when a marriage is celebrated by the person who gave the gifts
earlier. This helps the persons conducting the marriage defray the
expenses. The marriage is celebrated at Bride’s or Groom’s houses
depending on their convenience.
DOWRY
SYSTEM
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In modern days because of motorised
transport the contact between families became easier & marriage
alliances occured between the families living in different taluks &
even in different states. As the result of the ‘Land Reformes
Act’,most of the families lost their land holdings. So, majority of
our youngsters left the villages in search of jobs & for higher
education. The maximum numbers settled in Bombay city & also quite a
few settled in other cities.
The dowry evil commenced in early forties as a result of our youth
opting for higher education. The parents of such youths since they had
paid for their son’s education, wanted this amount to be paid by the
parents of the bride in the form of dowry which is easier to be insisted
upon as pre-requisite.
Another factor of dowry evil is due to
a newly rich class who had amassed wealth in their business
and were willing to pay high dowry especially to youth hailing from well
known aristocrat families. Thus began the custom of dowry, which
has now become the bane of our society. It has now turned out to be a
business & whoever pays the highest dowry gets the groom.
The engagement ceremony has become a mini-marriage itself.The Bride's
parents through a lavish party,the would be bride & bridegroom
are seated together & rings are exchanged. The muhurtham has also
become a money spending affair & whole expenses are incurred by parents
of the Bride.
Modern marriages of most of the families are arranged in community halls
or Kalyan Mandapa at the city.Most of the parents invite majority of
community members, even if they happen to be un-related or strangers.
This expenditure is again mostly met by the parents of the Bride. In
addtion to this a lavish dinner is thrown at 5 Star Hotels or Clubs,
where expensive non-vegetarian food & foreign imported liquor is
served & consumed by guests freely.
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