Lot has been written about the heritage of the Syrian Christians of Kerala. It is a known fact that not much of historical evidence exists today to prove any of the claims of lineage as proclaimed by many people. It is true that a good percentage of keralites of today originally did not belong to the main land of Kerala. Migrations over a large period has mainly resulted in the present demographical pattern of Kerala.
Syrian Christians form a large and distinct section of the Kerala Society. Most of them do not look any less similar to most other Keralites. Regardless of their original lineage, it can be rightly said that the social living in the region over a large time period led to facial similarities in the many ethnic groups. The term ethnic group, itself, can be debated in such a context. Nonetheless, it is widely believed that the present day Syrian Christians of Kerala originated from ethnic groups that migrated to the region in the beginning of the millenia.
Not much of scientific reserach has however has been known to have happened in this regard to establish their possible origins. One interesting possibility that has been not seriously considered is their jewish heritage. It is a historical fact that a large number of jews had migrated to places in Kerala in the beginning of the millenium. They settled mainly in the central region of the present day kerala and prospered. During one of my visits to Chendamangalam near North Paravur, I noticed in many people, striking similarities in their facial features to people of South European origin. Chendamanagalam was a large jewish settlement of the olden times. the first seminary in India was built by the Portugese at this very place. The first printing press in India too was set up here by the Portugese. Could it be possible that a number of Jews who flourished in this place were converted by the Portugese during their presence in the area. The fact that there is a no record of a Christian Church in the locality before the fifteenth century may add substance to this possibility.
North Paravur also lies extremely close to one of the churches established by St Thomas in the first century. It is also likely that the jews who were already living in the regions of Kodungallur, Paravur and Chendamangalam were converted by St Thomas himself in those days. Having thought loud about these possibilities, it must be also said that only a thorough historical and scientific study can rightly establish the facts and figures regarding this longstanding issue.
Syrian Christians form a large and distinct section of the Kerala Society. Most of them do not look any less similar to most other Keralites. Regardless of their original lineage, it can be rightly said that the social living in the region over a large time period led to facial similarities in the many ethnic groups. The term ethnic group, itself, can be debated in such a context. Nonetheless, it is widely believed that the present day Syrian Christians of Kerala originated from ethnic groups that migrated to the region in the beginning of the millenia.
Not much of scientific reserach has however has been known to have happened in this regard to establish their possible origins. One interesting possibility that has been not seriously considered is their jewish heritage. It is a historical fact that a large number of jews had migrated to places in Kerala in the beginning of the millenium. They settled mainly in the central region of the present day kerala and prospered. During one of my visits to Chendamangalam near North Paravur, I noticed in many people, striking similarities in their facial features to people of South European origin. Chendamanagalam was a large jewish settlement of the olden times. the first seminary in India was built by the Portugese at this very place. The first printing press in India too was set up here by the Portugese. Could it be possible that a number of Jews who flourished in this place were converted by the Portugese during their presence in the area. The fact that there is a no record of a Christian Church in the locality before the fifteenth century may add substance to this possibility.
North Paravur also lies extremely close to one of the churches established by St Thomas in the first century. It is also likely that the jews who were already living in the regions of Kodungallur, Paravur and Chendamangalam were converted by St Thomas himself in those days. Having thought loud about these possibilities, it must be also said that only a thorough historical and scientific study can rightly establish the facts and figures regarding this longstanding issue.
