Illam (Clans) System of Thiyyas

    Illam is a Malayalee lineage system used for classification and identification of castes in Kerala, South India. In Thiyyar system there are 8 illam from where their origin are believed to be from. The well acclaimed history book "Castes and Tribes of Southern India" by Edgar Thurston (1855-1935) clearly describe the eight illams of Thiyya. 

    

    There are local variations in names of these illams at certain regions of North Malabar. Thiyyars belong to any of the eight clans (Illams). Thiyyar illams are not home, it represents Tree or Herbs name . Marriage between individuals of same illam is prohibited and it is still strictly followed in North Malabar.  Illam culture is based on Matrilineal followers.

Marriage is strictly forbidden between two persons

belonging to the same illam. The bride and bridegroom

must belong to different illams. In fact, the illams are

exogamous.

The local variations in the names of these illams 

in different parts of malabar are as follows

Northof Ayyayiram Vattam (North of Manglore)

1. Kotian

2. Nelliyanna

3. Karkkera

4. Salian

5. Suvarna

6. Upyanna

7. Bangera

8. Gujaran

Ayyayiram Vattam (Manglore)

1. Padamgudi

2. Nellikka

3. Kaarada

4. Naankudi

5. Thenamgudi

6. Pullamchatti

7. Paimbagudi

8. Bathiya

Moovayiramy Vattam (North Kasaragod) 

1. Padayangudi

2. Nellikka

3. Kaaradan

4. Kuttipparathiyyan

5. Thenamgudi

6. Pullanji

7. Paimba

8. Bayathiyan

Southern Kasaragod

1. Padayangudi (Olotta)

2. Nellikka

3. Thalakkodan

4. Pala

5. Parakka

6. Kaaraada

7. Paimba

8. Baya

Northern Kannur

1. Thalakkodan

2. Nellikka

3. Parakka

4. Padayamgudi

5. Baavu

6. Palanthayi(Palakka)

7. Aalodan

8. Kaithada

Southern Kannur 

1.  Koyikkal

2. Vanmarikka

3. Nellikkal

4. Parakka

5. Mangudi

6. Thenangudi

7. Padayangudi 

8. Villangudi 

Kozhikkode, Wayanad

1.  Nellikka

2. Pullanji

3. Vangeri

4. Parakka

5. Mannangudi

6. Padayamgudi

7. Thenangudi

8. Vilakkangudi

Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur 

1.  Thalakkodan

2. Nellikka

3. Varakkat

4. Aala

5. Kannan

6. Padayamgudi

7. Thenangudi

8. Bavu