A practice followed by people of a particular group or region is called as social custom.Through out the world, various types of custom exists. Despite of the fact, universe is passing through scientific revolution, still the existence of customs in the society is undeniable.
India is one of the most popular country for traditional customs and values.Thousands of customs were still being practiced by the rural and urban citizens throughout the country.
Kanyakumari is the southernmost part of India. It is located on the shores of the Indian ocean. Life style of this Tamil speaking inhabitants is embedded with customs, from their cradle to the graveyard. It serves as one of the main factor of social control.
In special events such as marriages, birthdays and examinations, particular person will bow down and touch the feet of the elders( parents and grand parents) to receive the blessings from them.
After the marriage , when the bride enters the house of the groom, she must land her first step with her right feet. They believes that, first step with the right feet as the sign of prosperous future.
Even their dressings is influenced by the customs. "Lungi" or "dhothi" is the popular dress which is been worn by the male persons, when they were in the home. It covers from the hip to the toe end. For their convenience, they used to fold it over the knee level. But in front of their elders they will unfold their "Lungi" below their knee level. They were practicing it as a means of showing respect to their elder's.
During the last trimester, mostly they will not allow the pregnant mother's to stay in the house of her husband. She must stay in the house of her parents. To avoid sexual intercourse, they separate the pregnant women from her husband in the last trimester.
The married women will not remove the wedding chain or even they will not expose it to others. They believes that, exposing or removing the chain will result in ill health and insult to their husband.
At the time of house warming ceremony,they will enter the house by boiling the milk in the center hall of the new house. The foam from the milk should flow down in the direction of sunrise. They believes it as a sign of good future in that new home.
Regardless of the fact, practice of this kind of customs is irrelevant to the modern era, still it serves as a factor to maintain mutual respect and unity between each other in this society.
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