Ayyavazhi In Reports By Christian Missionaries

The following quotations are taken from G. Patrick's book " Religion And Subaltern Agency ".

REPORTS OF THE LONDON MISSION SOCIETY

1838

One part of the report states that Ayya Vaikundar's devotees believe they were "cured by him of different diseases." On the Ayyavazhi religion, the report says that "multitudes of people flocked to him from all parts of Travancore and Tinnevelly ."

On the s, and often assembled to hear the dreams and vision of their leader and to witness the miracles he was said to perform." ''(p. 71)''

Apart from this, it mentions the practice of Vegetarianism in Ayyavazhi, saying that " {Link without Title} abstained from all kinds of animal food, and observed the most simple and abstentious habits".''(p. 71)''

1843

In one part of these reports, the missionaries view "Ayyavazhi" as an anti-Christian religious phenomenon, using such phrases as an " Agent Of Satan " ''(pp. 78-79)'' when referring to "Ayya Vaikundar", and further reported that large "numbers of the low classes have joined him (Vaikundar)."

The same report notes the "rapid and extraordinary career" of Vaikundacami (Vaikundar) ''(p. 75)'', mentioning that his religious phenomenon had "spread to an astonishing degree, showing by its progress." ''(p. 75)''

In another report, it mentions that Vaikundacami "asserts that one of the principle Hindoo deities has taken up his abode within him," and that because of this, "he is enabled to perform the cure of all diseases, and to confer innumerable blessings on his followers." ''(p. 75)''

1847

This report provides information that around 10,000 people had joined the practice of Christianity , principally of the " Shanar Tribe ," an area near Patnam ( Thengapattnam ), and that, "an equal, if not greater, number had taken to Ayyavazhi." (p. 88-89)

Another report speaks of Vaikundar, treating diseases with only earth and water, stating: "They take no medicine; but rub Ashes on the forehead and drink "patham" or cold water as the cure for all diseases." ''(p. 88-89)''

It also says that the followers of Ayyavazhi "have instituted a new mode of worship" in the place of the " Pagan Rite s."

1858

Again, as in the 1838 report, this report mentions the practice of vegetarianism in a disciple of Vaikundacami who, "abstained from flesh and ate only vegetables." And it refers to an active female follower of Ayyavazhi who "abstained from fish on Tuesdays and Fridays."

1872

In this report, Vaikundar had been viewed as a "False Prophet".

1892

In this report, reference is made to those engaged in the practice of Thuvayal Thavasu . Specifically, a comparison appears to be made in the report that the devotees of Ayya Vaikundar, especially the Thuvayal Thavasu participants, keep their bodies and their houses cleaner than the other people of Chanar tribe.

REPORTS OF THE NAGERCOIL MISSION DISTRICT

1864

This report speaks of it as "a modern sect, greatly on the increase", says that, "day after day, numbers flocked to him (Vaikundar)" ''(Patrick p. 4, quoting Frederick Wilkinson, ARTDC 1864)''.

1866

This is also a part which tells about the spread of Ayyavazhi. It says that "he (Vaikundar) drew after him a great many people" ''(Patrick p. 15, quoting Goodeve Mabbs from ARTDC 1866)''.

REPORTS OF KOTTARAM MISSION DISTRICT

1871

This report records the anguish of Mr Nathaneil, an Evangelist of Jamestown, who 'deplored' the increase of the followers of Ayyavazhi in "several places around him." ''(Patrick p. 7, quoting S. Jones, ARTDC 1871).''

REPORTS OF THE SANTHAPOORAM DISTRICT

1858

This report also views Ayyavazhi as an anti-Christian religion, speaking about a female Shaman of Ayyavazhi, "a widow living at this place who was a follower of Muthukutti . She was also a fortune-teller and pretended to cure diseases by Incantation s. She allowed her hair to grow matted like that of Pantaram, abstained from fish on Tuesdays and Fridays, performed her ablutions in the sea, sang for four or five hours together in honour of her Swami and was occasionally under the influence of the devil." ''(Patrick p. 4-5, quoting Ebenezer Lewis, ARTDC 1858).''

REFERENCES

ARTRC. ''Annual Report of the Travancore District Committee in Connection with the LMS.'' Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu (India): London Missionary Press, (year varies, see article).

Patrick, G. ''Religion and Subaltern Agency: A Case Study of Ayya Vali, a Subaltern Religious Phenomenon in South Tiruvitankur'', Chennai, Tamil Nadu (India): Department of Christian Studies, University of Madras, August 02, 2003.

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