Labbay is derived from the Arabic phrase Labbay'k (Arabic : لبیک ), which means - Here I am, is a title for Tamil-speaking & Urdu-speaking Muslims who are converts to Islam who self-identify as descendants of Arab traders who intermarried with local women.[3][4]
History
The earliest historical evidence of Muslim settlement on the Coromandel coast dates from the ninth century; with an edict in 875 A.D. by the king of Madurai granting asylum to a group of Arab immigrants. Even as the community gained momentum their connection with North India was thin. Like the Mappillas, the Coromandel Muslims became prosperous maritime traders. In later times they took on the appellations of maraikkayar to distinguish themselves from the rural Hanafi Muslims of the Tamil hinterland[3].
Before the arrival of the Dutch in the region, the Muslim hinterland traders and Muslim maritime traders & boat makers were part of the same community. They both claimed to descend from Arabs and intermarried with Hindus. While in some regions the title "Labbay" carried a stigma due to it being held by converts, the Labbay traders were able to change its meaning into a title of social and religious superiority.[4]
Since the Labbay traders were the only literate Muslims in the region, they became priests, registrars, and commentators of the Quran. Their role as priests gave them high-status in the Muslim community, and great wealth in their role as traders. They spoke Tamil, but wrote it in the Arabic script also known as Arwi. They previously prohibited intermarriages and common funeral grounds between them and other Muslim communities.[4]
References
^Parthasarathi, Prasannan (2001). The Transition to a Colonial Economy: Weavers, Merchants and Kings in South India, 1720-1800. 0 521 57042 5: Cambridge University Press. p. 150.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
^Balfour, Edward (1967). The Cyclopaedia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia Volume 2. Akademische Druck-u. Verlagsanstalt. p. 645.
^ abWink, Andre (1990). Al-Hind: Early medieval India and the expansion of Islam, 7th-11th centuries. Brill. pp. 78–80.
^ abcPandian, Jacob (1987). Caste, Nationalism and Ethnicity: An Interpretation of Tamil Cultural History and Social Order. Popular Prakashan. pp. 129–132.
labbay, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, november, 2019, lea. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Labbay news newspapers books scholar JSTOR November 2019 Learn how and when to remove this template message Labbay Tamil லப பய Urdu ﻟﺐ ﺑﮯ also Labbai Labba Labbabeen Lebbay Lebbai is a Muslim trading community 1 2 in southern India found throughout the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu Karnataka Kerala and Andhra Pradesh LabbayReligionIslam Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 3 References 4 See also Etymology EditLabbay is derived from the Arabic phrase Labbay k Arabic لبیک which means Here I am is a title for Tamil speaking amp Urdu speaking Muslims who are converts to Islam who self identify as descendants of Arab traders who intermarried with local women 3 4 History EditThe earliest historical evidence of Muslim settlement on the Coromandel coast dates from the ninth century with an edict in 875 A D by the king of Madurai granting asylum to a group of Arab immigrants Even as the community gained momentum their connection with North India was thin Like the Mappillas the Coromandel Muslims became prosperous maritime traders In later times they took on the appellations of maraikkayar to distinguish themselves from the rural Hanafi Muslims of the Tamil hinterland 3 Before the arrival of the Dutch in the region the Muslim hinterland traders and Muslim maritime traders amp boat makers were part of the same community They both claimed to descend from Arabs and intermarried with Hindus While in some regions the title Labbay carried a stigma due to it being held by converts the Labbay traders were able to change its meaning into a title of social and religious superiority 4 Since the Labbay traders were the only literate Muslims in the region they became priests registrars and commentators of the Quran Their role as priests gave them high status in the Muslim community and great wealth in their role as traders They spoke Tamil but wrote it in the Arabic script also known as Arwi They previously prohibited intermarriages and common funeral grounds between them and other Muslim communities 4 References Edit Parthasarathi Prasannan 2001 The Transition to a Colonial Economy Weavers Merchants and Kings in South India 1720 1800 0 521 57042 5 Cambridge University Press p 150 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location link Balfour Edward 1967 The Cyclopaedia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia Volume 2 Akademische Druck u Verlagsanstalt p 645 a b Wink Andre 1990 Al Hind Early medieval India and the expansion of Islam 7th 11th centuries Brill pp 78 80 a b c Pandian Jacob 1987 Caste Nationalism and Ethnicity An Interpretation of Tamil Cultural History and Social Order Popular Prakashan pp 129 132 See also EditTamil Muslim Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Labbay amp oldid 1154994746, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
