Thiyyas are not Ezhavas
Difference of Thiyyars and Ezhavas
It is evident that Thiyyars are an exclusive ethnic group;this fact is confirmed by migration patterns and genetic studies.Thiyyars from North Malabar and other parts of Kerala should be recognized as a separate ethnic group and not included with Ezhavas, who are from an entirely different ethnic group.
Some intensed individuals found Thiyyars and Ezhavas are the same caste. It is totally untrue.
The distinguishing ethnic, social, cultural, spiritual and physical features of Thiyyars and Ezhavas are follows:-
1. Ancestors of Thiyyars and Ezhavas are separate .Thiyyars migrated from Central Asia through the Caucasus region. Ezhavas reached India through Coastal migration.
2. Thiyyars belong to Haplogroup L , Indo-Aryans . Ezhavas are in Haplogroup C, Dravidians.
3. Thiyyars have Mediterranean body structure .Ezhavas have Srilankan physique.
4. Thiyyars costoms of tradition are entirely different from Ezhavas.
5. Thiyyars are from North Kerala and Ezhavas are from South Kerala; these regions are about 400 km apart.
6. In Indian Government records , Thiyyas are registered as separate ethnic group
7. Thiyyars speak malayalam, which has more sanskrit words, whereas Ezhavas speak malayalam, which has more tamil words.
8. Thiyyars were followers of matriarchy until laws are flexible ,Ezhavas followed patriarchy right from the beginning.
9. Thiyyars don't accept nor give dowry . Thiyyars look down upon any caste or people who accept or give dowry.Ezhavas give and accept dowry. Dowry is the main topic of Ezhava negotiation.
10. Thiyyars are having eight clans (illams).Marriage between a boy and girl of the same Illam is prohibited and it is still strictly followed in Northern parts of North Malabar.Ezhavas do not have such Illams.
11. Rights and rituals of a Thiyyars and Ezhavas dissimilar on death ,birth and marriage etc .
12. Deities worshipping by Thiyyas are totally different from Ezhavas. Also their customs and traditions are different.
