Aliyasantana

Aliyasantana (sister's son lineage) was a matrilineal system of inheritance practiced by the Billava, Bunts and certain other communities in the coastal districts of Karnataka, India. Marumakkathayam, in Malayalam, was a similar system which was practiced by Nairs and Thiyyas in the area known today as Kerala.

Origins

Marija Gimbutas, believes matrilineal societies were common among early human societies. Although modern day academia routinely discredit wildly inaccurate claims made by Marija Gimbutas of supposed early human matrilineal societies due to no historical evidence to back up her claims.

Myth of origin

Tuluvas believe Aliya Kattu was adapted at the behest of a king called Bhootala Pandya. The story goes like this. A demon wanted the king to sacrifice his son. However, none of his queens and sons were ready to be sacrificed. Seeing the difficult situation, king's sister offers her son. However, the demon shows mercy and lets him off. On his part, the king declares his nephew as his true inheritor.