Introduction
M.N. Srinivas is one of India’s most influential sociologists and anthropologists. His ethnographic work on the Coorgs (also known as Kodavas) of Karnataka is presented in his book “Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India”. Through this study, he developed and explained the concept of ritual idiom, which refers to how ritual language, symbols, and behavior are used to express and reinforce social structure and hierarchy. This concept has become central to understanding Indian society.
Who are the Coorgs?
The Coorgs are a small, martial community residing in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. They are known for their distinct customs, military traditions, and ancestral worship. Though they are classified as Hindus, their practices differ in significant ways from mainstream Hinduism.
Ritual Idiom: Meaning and Importance
Ritual idiom refers to the use of rituals and religious practices to express broader social and cultural values. According to Srinivas, rituals among the Coorgs are not only spiritual activities but also ways of asserting social status, family roles, and community identity.
Key Ritual Practices among the Coorgs
1. Ancestor Worship
- One of the most important aspects of Coorg religious life is the worship of ancestors or karanavars.
- Each family has a shrine called kaimada, where rituals are performed in honor of ancestors.
- This practice strengthens family unity and affirms lineage continuity.
2. Festivals and Ceremonies
- Kail Podh: A harvest festival that involves communal feasting and worship of weapons.
- Puttari: A rice harvest festival that reflects agricultural roots and clan solidarity.
- These festivals involve the use of specific ritual idioms—sacred speech, dress, and behaviors—that emphasize clan identity.
3. Ritual Purity and Pollution
- Although less strict than Brahmanical Hinduism, Coorg rituals also show concern with purity.
- Specific family members perform rituals, and menstruating women are excluded during some ceremonies.
4. Priesthood and Ritual Authority
- The Coorgs do not rely heavily on Brahmin priests. Instead, the eldest male in the family performs important rituals.
- This highlights their autonomy and distinguishes them from caste-based ritual hierarchies.
5. Social Hierarchy Through Rituals
- Rituals also reflect the status of different clans and individuals.
- The right to perform certain rituals or occupy certain roles in festivals is linked to one’s social standing within the community.
Srinivas’s Analysis
Srinivas used the concept of ritual idiom to explain how rituals among the Coorgs communicate authority, lineage, and community values. He showed that even in a relatively egalitarian community, ritual behavior becomes a way to express and manage social structure.
Conclusion
M.N. Srinivas’s study of the Coorgs introduced the idea that ritual is not just religious but also social. Through his analysis of the ritual idiom of the Coorgs, he highlighted how culture, identity, and social organization are expressed and maintained through symbolic practices. His work remains foundational in Indian ethnography and continues to influence how anthropologists study ritual and society.