At Mangattumukku in Mattancherry, near Kochi in Kerala, stands one of the most unusual shrines in South India—the shrine of Kappiri Muthappan. Unlike conventional places of worship, this shrine does not belong to any organised religion. There are no Hindu idols, no Christian cross, no Islamic symbols, and no architectural markers such as a gopuram, spire, or dome. Instead, the shrine consists of a modest raised platform covered by a tiled roof, reflecting its simple yet powerful presence. Yet, despite its unassuming appearance, it attracts devotees from across Kerala every day.
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| Kappiri Muthappan shrine KE matheikal.blogspot.com |
Above image: Kappiri Muthappan is said to be a benevolent spirit—a “friendly ghost”.He accepts candles, flowers, tender coconuts, boiled eggs, cigarettes, and even toddy, the local palm brew. His shrine with no religious marks near Kochi is neither a Hindu nor a Roman Catholic. With tiled roof simply, it is an unassuming small place of worship or veneration...........
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The uniqueness of the shrine lies in both its deity and its rituals. Kappiri Muthappan is believed to be a benevolent spirit—a “friendly ghost”—and offerings made here are equally unconventional. Devotees light candles and offer flowers, tender coconuts, boiled eggs, cigarettes, and even toddy, the local palm brew. Far from being irrational acts, these offerings are deeply symbolic and reflect the folk beliefs associated with the spirit. Most visitors are well aware of what they are doing and come with faith born of tradition rather than blind superstition.
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| African slaves and Muthappan thenewsminute.com |
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| Kappiri Muthappan shrine. youtube.com |
The uniqueness of the shrine lies in both its deity and its rituals. Kappiri Muthappan is believed to be a benevolent spirit—a “friendly ghost”—and offerings made here are equally unconventional. Devotees light candles and offer flowers, tender coconuts, boiled eggs, cigarettes, and even toddy, the local palm brew. Far from being irrational acts, these offerings are deeply symbolic and reflect the folk beliefs associated with the spirit. Most visitors are well aware of what they are doing and come with faith born of tradition rather than blind superstition.
Kappiri Muthappan is believed to be the spirit of an African slave brought to Kerala during the Portuguese period in the 16th century. The term “Kappiri” was locally used to refer to Africans and is believed to have originated from the Arabic word kafir, used by traders to denote non-believers. Kochi was an important centre of the slave trade during Portuguese rule, and African slaves were subjected to extreme cruelty, confined in dark, poorly ventilated cellars and treated inhumanely.
Local folklore narrates that when the Dutch overpowered the Portuguese in the 17th century and drove them out of Kerala, the departing Portuguese buried their treasures hurriedly. It is believed they killed many African slaves and left their spirits behind to guard these hidden riches. Over time, the local population began associating these restless spirits with protection rather than fear. Kappiri Muthappan came to be visualised as a compassionate guardian spirit, often imagined sitting atop the “Kappiri Mathil” or Negro Wall, smoking a cigar; he is pushed to the status of a Demi-God by the locals.
Above image: Casper the Friendly Ghost is a series of theatrical cartoons produced by Famous Studios (later Paramount Cartoon Studios) from 1945 to 1959. The title character was originally created by Seymour Reit and Joe Oriolo.The Kappiri deity is a good ghost like Shakespearean Spirit "Ariel" (of The Tempest) who had been trapped by the witch Sycorax in a "cloven pine. He is also as good as Casper the ghost in the old US TV cartoon serial............
Ref:
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Kappiri-Muthappan-From-slaves-to-folk-deity/2013/06/10/article1628188.ecehttps://www.thenewsminute.com/features/african-slaves-and-spirit-kappiri-muthappan-kochis-culture-under-portuguese-dutch-rule-44881
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| Kappiri Muthappan shrine,Kerala,S.India. thehindu.com |
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| Priscilla Horton as Ariel -good spirit1838en.wikipedia.org |
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| Ariel,the friendly spirit en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: Ariel(of The Tempest) taking on an illusionary form, at Prospero's command, depicted by William Hamilton. Top image: Priscilla Horton as Ariel (good spirit), 1838. The part was played by females from the mid-1600s to about 1930. From that time, both males and females played the role........
Local folklore narrates that when the Dutch overpowered the Portuguese in the 17th century and drove them out of Kerala, the departing Portuguese buried their treasures hurriedly. It is believed they killed many African slaves and left their spirits behind to guard these hidden riches. Over time, the local population began associating these restless spirits with protection rather than fear. Kappiri Muthappan came to be visualised as a compassionate guardian spirit, often imagined sitting atop the “Kappiri Mathil” or Negro Wall, smoking a cigar; he is pushed to the status of a Demi-God by the locals.
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| Casper the Ghost paramount cartoons. |
Above image: Casper the Friendly Ghost is a series of theatrical cartoons produced by Famous Studios (later Paramount Cartoon Studios) from 1945 to 1959. The title character was originally created by Seymour Reit and Joe Oriolo.The Kappiri deity is a good ghost like Shakespearean Spirit "Ariel" (of The Tempest) who had been trapped by the witch Sycorax in a "cloven pine. He is also as good as Casper the ghost in the old US TV cartoon serial............
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| 13 - Drawing cartoons |
Much like Shakespeare’s gentle spirit Ariel (The Tempest) or the popular figure of Casper the Friendly Ghost, Kappiri Muthappan is believed to help lost travellers, ward off evil, and fulfil wishes. Stories of haunted mango trees and the discovery of skeletal remains of African slaves during construction work have further strengthened local belief in his presence.
Today, the shrine stands as a rare example of folk reverence that transcends religion. More importantly, it symbolises an act of collective remembrance—an acknowledgment of the suffering, sacrifice, and silent contribution of African slaves in Kerala’s colonial past. In venerating Kappiri Muthappan, the people of Mattancherry continue a unique tradition of respect, compassion, and historical memory.
Ref:
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/ Published Apr 5, 2015
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Kappiri-Muthappan-From-slaves-to-folk-deity/2013/06/10/article1628188.ece
Author: K.N. Jayaraman
