The religious rituals associated with marriage are relatively simple. Marriage is regarded as a contract (Nikah) between the bridegroom and the father of the bride, conducted in the presence of a judge (qazi) and two witnesses. The Nikah ceremony is usually held at the bride's house or in a mosque.
Although Islam prohibits dowry, the Mappilas have historically maintained the practice of giving gifts, money, and gold ornaments to the groom. At the same time, religious law mandates that the groom provide a gift (mahr) to the bride as part of the marriage agreement. In Mappila marriages, the mahr is typically a small amount of gold, ranging from three to ten sovereigns, as decided by the fathers of both the groom and bride.
In addition to the mahr, the bride’s family was expected to provide a dowry to the groom. This dowry often consisted of land and gold and was regarded as a significant symbol of the family's prestige. However, excessive dowry demands placed a heavy financial burden on many families, leading to hardship in numerous cases.
In earlier times, the practice of dowry was more prominent and often fixed by elders during the betrothal ceremony in the presence of relatives. While this tradition has seen some decline over the years, its historical significance remains a part of Mappila marriage customs.
Marriage ceremonies among the Mappilas are celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy. They were typically held at night, with both the bride’s and groom’s houses adorned with lamps and vibrant decorations. The groom is referred to as Puyyapla or Puthu Mappila, while the bride is called Puthiya Pennu, Manavatti, or Puyyotti. The celebrations include a variety of traditional foods like Neychoru (ghee rice), Biriyani, etc., with friends and relatives gathering to partake in the festivities. Mappila songs and performing arts are performed, often accompanied by lively debates between singers from the bride’s and groom’s families, adding a spirited touch to the event.
