Vol. 2 No. 5 (2005): The indigenous tradition of Syrian Christians of Kerala a perspective based on their folk songs: marriage, customs and history - By Mathew Varghese

This essay attempts to delineate the original structure of Christianity practiced by the Syrian Christians of Kerala and relates it with their folk songs on the one hand and their current customary practices on the other. In the process the paper traces the historians’ views on the early Christianity in Kerala, finds the historical elements in their folk songs, describes marriage ceremonies, songs and dances, and presents the texts of the folksongs.