Nambidi.--A class, included among the Ambalavasis. It is recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, that "Nampitis are of two classes, the thread-wearing and the threadless. The former have their own priests, while the Ilayatus perform the required sacerdotal functions for the latter. Their ceremonies are very much like those of the Kshatriyas. Tradition connects them with royalty acquired under rather unenviable circumstances. They are, therefore, called Tampurans (lords) by the Sudras, and also Muppinnu (elder) or Karanavappat (uncle) head of a matriarchal family. They observe twelve days' pollution, and inherit in the female line. Their women are called Mantalu. The chief man among the Nampitis is the Karanavappat of Kakkat in British Malabar." In the Cochin Census Report, 1901, it is noted that of the Nampidis "the Aiynikoor Nampidis, or the five families of Nampidis, are historically and socially the most important; the eldest male member possesses the honorific title of Karanavarpad, enjoying special privileges at the hands of the rulers of Cochin, as the members of the family once held responsible posts in the militia of the State. According to tradition, they were Nambudris. One of the Perumals or Viceroys of Kerala having proved troublesome, the Brahmans resolved upon his removal. In the struggle that followed, the Perumal was killed by the Brahmans. When those who had slain him returned to the place where the Brahmans had met in solemn conclave, they were gladly welcomed, and asked to sit in their midst; but, feeling that they had committed a heinous crime and thus disqualified themselves from sitting along with the Brahmans, they volunteered to sit apart on the threshold of the council room by saying nam padimel (we on the threshold), which fact is supposed to account for the origin of their name Nampadi. They and their companions have since been regarded as having almost lost their social status as Brahmans, and they are now classed along with the intermediate castes, having but a few privileges other than those enjoyed by the group. They wear the sacred thread, and have Gayatri. Nambudri Brahmans officiate as priests at marriage ceremonies, sradhas, and purification at the end of birth or death pollution, which lasts only for ten days. They follow the marumakkatayam law of inheritance (in the female line). The tali (marriage badge) is tied by their own caste men. Nambudris, or their own caste men, unite themselves in sambandham with Nampidi females. Nampidis are allowed to consort with Nayar women. At public feasts they are not privileged to sit and eat with Nambudris. Their women are called Manolpads."