Maniyani (caste)

The Maniyani Nair is a Malayalam speaking community, and Nair sub-caste native to Kerala state of South India. They are mainly distributed in Kannur and Kasaragod districts. They are a pastoral community and their traditional occupation is tending cattle and cultivation. They are sometimes also referred as Itasseri Nairs. They are classified as OBC or Other backward Class by Kerala government

Origin

The Maniyanis believe themselves to have descended from the ancient Yadava clan. It is believed that from Gokarnam, a group of those who set out for various parts of India, reached the Kolat land and the Tulu land via Mangalore.

Social life

The majority of the Maniyanis are concentrated in the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod. Today, two sub-castes among the Nairs, namely Pallichan and Maniyani, are theyyam worshippers, and they have their own shrines for their theyyams.