I wanted to blog about this aspect longtime back. Ever since I landed in Oman, I have felt there is a link between Omanis and Kodavas, a small community in Karnataka state of southern India. A peek into the traditional outfits of Omani and Kodava men point to the fact that there is a prominent curved dagger – Khanjar for Omanis and Peechekathi for Kodavas –– that is suspended with the support of a silver thread or webbing and worn at the waist. Both the Khanjar and Peechekathi have ornate carvings on sheaths made up of silver and sometimes interlaced with gold pieces. While Khanjar is worn along with dishdasha, the traditional dress for Omani men, the Peechekathi in worn on top of kupya (wraparound robe) and hung around the chele (shawl) at the waist for Kodava men.
Kodavas have a unique culture and tradition unlike other communities in southern India. Though they are Hindus, Kodavas do not have brahmin priests in ceremonies like wedding. The elders of the community help in organising the ceremonies. There have been debates on Kodavas having a Greek and Arab connection in the past. The similarity in daggers between Omanis and Kodavas could be one more link in that direction.
By the way, I am a Kodava.
I wonder how a worrior caste like ours could have let others to rule us. I married a malnad gowda and found too many similarities in food, attire and ancestor home. Even they have family names. Their connection with coorg Gowdas is only recent. The Greeks limited their invasion to north India. Sindhi community too claim they have Greek genes. Are they related to us. Common sense shows that beautiful place have beautiful people.Other indigenous people of India and elsewhere worship the nature and ancestors too.