Expressing the unexpressed: The Minicoy islanders of Lakshadweep

Abstract

This chapter makes an attempt to present contemporary lifeways of the Muslim community of Minicoy Islanders of Lakshadweep, scheduled as a tribe in Indian Constitution, with a conscious effort of engaging historical approach to study the culture. The chapter studies sociocultural identity of assimilation and acculturation that has evolved over time in an interactive mode and therefore emphasizes on interdisciplinary methods and approaches. Primarily, the contemporary sociocultural structure showing contrasts like matrilinity and practice of monogamy along with Islam, and syncretic tradition like following Islamic tenets in marriage practice, is presented in a historical perspective.