Tulu Gowda and Arebhashe Gowda are a community primarily found in South Canara District, Kodagu District (Coorg), Indian state of Karnataka and Bandadka village of Kasaragod. They are officially considered a subsect of the Vokkaliga community but are culturally and linguistically different. They speak Tulu and Arebhashe.
They were originally called Natha Pantha and Shaivas, owing allegiance to Sringeri Matha. During Emperor VishnuvardhanaâÂÂs rule, they became Vaishnavites and worshiped Tirupati Venkataramana (Balaji of Tirupati) and Sabbakka (Sharada of Sringeri). They then settled in the Mangalore-Udupi (Dakshina Kannada-Udupi) region where they spoke the Tulu language. They are said to have 10 Kutumba and 18 Bari as their primordial root families, from which a Nà «ru Mane or "hundred families" arose. They then migrated to Coorg (Kodagu) from the Mangalore-Udupi (Dakshina Kannada-Udupi) region, to settle among the Canarese (Kannada) speaking peoples.
They have a somewhat elaborate system of caste government. In every village there are two headmen, the GrÃÂma Gowda and the ottu Gauda. For every group of eight or nine villages there is another head called the MÃÂganÃÂ Gauda, and for every nine MÃÂganÃÂs there is a yet higher authority called the KattÃÂmanÃÂyava.
The caste is divided into eighteen baris or balis, which are of the usual exogamous character, same bari men, women not to marry, they belong to close cousins.
In Dakshina Kannada both the groups of Gowdas Tulu and 'Arebhashe' prepare meat or any Non Vegetarian food during marriage and Gruhaprevesha (House warming functions. Tulu Gowdas of Puttur Seeme invariably conduct Marriage and Gruha Pravesha as per Vaidhika Practice.
At the time of Marriage, bridegroom's father offers â¹10ü to the girls parents out of this â¹6ü is to be sent to Gurumaá¹Âha (Sringeri Matha) through à ªra gauá¸Âa for Girls Mutheidegu (for seeking longer life for the couple). Oora Gowda thus collects such offering during the Marriages held under his jurisdiction and hands over the same to Maagane Gowda and through him to Kattemane. Kattemane Gowda takes it over to Guru Matha (Sringeri Matha) once in a year and seeks blessings from Maá¹ÂhÃÂdhipati on behalf of married couple. Oora Gowda occupies an important position in all JEEVANAVARTHANA PRACTICES of Tulu Gowdas of Puttur region. In his absence Othu Gowda takes over his responsibility. Gowdas follow Patrilineal succession procedure. Eldest male member in the Joint family is the Head of the family. à ªra gauá¸Âa of the village is nominated by Kattemane Head. In all functions starting from "Veelya Shastra" (Engagement) up to the marriage the à ªra gauá¸Âa recites an Invocation and Declaration in loud voice which states as
At this moment the gathered relatives and public will declare their assent saying "Edde Karyo Panpere" (a good work ritual). This Declaration is the same as the recital in Sullia and Kodagu region which is in Kannada. Here the reference to "Aramane and Gurumane" is essentially to royalty of Ikkeri and Sringeri Mathadhipathies respectively.
Generally, there is no 'Dowry' system among Gowda clan on the other hand Boys father offers a Kanya shulka to the girls' parents a sum of â¹16ü.
The caste is divided into eighteen baris or balis, which are of the usual exogamous character. The names of some of these are as follows: BangÃÂra (gold), Nandara, MalÃÂra (a bundle of glass bangles, as carried about for sale), SÃÂlu, Hemmana (pride or conceit), Kabru, Gà Âli (Portulaca oleracea, a pot-herb), Basruvà Âgaru (basru, belly), Balasanna, Kabar, Gundana, Chalyera, Mulyera, Nayera and KarbannÃÂya.
Once a year, mostly in the Tulu month of Kaarthel (JuneâÂÂJuly), the Gowdas perform a ceremony for the propitiation of all deceased ancestors. They have a special preference for VenkatarÃÂmaswÃÂmi, to whom they make money offerings once a year in September. It should reach Tirupati as an offering, which mostly includes coins, pepper, rupee notes.
The Arebhashe Gowdas and Tulu Gowdas were historically involved in a rebellion against British rule in Canara. Kedambadi Ramaiah Gowda from Sulya rebelled against the British and hoisted Jangama (Lingayite monk) Kalyanaswamy's flag in Bavuta Gudde in Mangalore and ruled for 13 days. This was one of the earliest Indian independence struggles against British rule 1834.