While congratulating the Alemada family on successfully conducting the recently concluded Thok Namme, I would like to share a few thoughts on how such events can play a significant role in protecting, preserving and safeguarding Kodavaame and the Kodava way of life.
The gun occupies a unique and deeply rooted place in Kodava culture. For generations, it has been closely associated with our traditions, customs, festivals and ceremonies. For a Kodava, the gun is not merely a weapon; it is a symbol of cultural identity and an integral part of our ancestral heritage. In this context, the often-expressed sentiment that a Kodava without a gun and land is not a Kodava reflects the profound connection between our identity, our land and our traditions.
Guns & Kodavas – The Rite of Passage
I would like to share an excerpt from an article published in 2019 that I came across on another website. The author writes as follows:
It is also an established custom among the natives to clothe every male child when only three years old with a kumberbund(Cummerbund), at the age of seven they assume the Kuttee (peechekathi/pichangatti) and at twelve carry a matchlock, an eyewitness account states.
The above-mentioned is what an European who visited Kodagu(Coorg) at the start of the 19th century, more than 200 years back, noted in his journal on 2nd February 1801, three decades before the British annexed Coorg.
I recall something similar was narrated by the Late Poopanda Sheethamma. According to her narration – the rite of passage was a bit different than what that European had recorded.
Regarding the age-old custom, she told me:
On attaining 4 years of age, the Kodava (Coorg) was accorded the Kuppya and Chele. Kuppya is a long coat. Chele (cummerbund) is a sash used like a belt. On attaining the age of 10 the child would be presented with a smaller Peechekathi (the small dagger cum knife that is tucked into the Chele). At the age of 15, a gun was presented with a smaller Odikathi (the curved sword, which works more like a hatchet and chopper and cuts wood well) and the Kodava had now come of age and he was expected to learn to use the weapons effectively, defend himself, get firewood, learn to hunt and forage the forests of his ancestors and was expected to assist with bringing food to the table.
Whatever the exact age and the puja or rituals involved in the rite of passage are immaterial. What is important is that the custom existed long before the British annexed Coorg. Among the Kodava community and the Jamma landholders, the gun continues to be an object of worship during Kailpodh festival and forms an integral part of rituals during the Puthari festival and death ceremony.
That may explain why guns and their traditional arms are still sacrosanct for the Kodava and a few other communities who emigrated to Coorg after the fall of Srirangapatna (some communities were invited by the Rajas to occupy the cultivable land of Kodavas who had perished or were displaced in the wars with Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, others were offered new lands to settle) and have Jamma(Jumma) land tenure. Some of these Non-Kodava Jamma communities started following the customs and traditions of the Kodavas to a certain degree.
The Kodavas kept on with their tradition of carrying guns because the Kodavas demanded from the British government that “their civil and religious usages” not be meddled with.
KEEPING OUR TRADITIONS ALIVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
Nammes and festivals such as Thok Namme can serve as important cultural platforms for safeguarding this heritage. We should therefore extend our wholehearted and enthusiastic support to families that take the initiative to organise these events, ensuring that they continue for generations to come.
Such celebrations help younger generations understand and appreciate the traditional significance of the gun in Kodava life. Its place in customary practices and ceremonies, including Kailpodh, Puthari, funerals, housewarming ceremonies and birth – reflects a heritage that extends far beyond marksmanship. By keeping these traditions alive and passing on their significance, we strengthen the connection between younger Kodavas and their cultural roots.
Personally, I believe that traditional events such as Thok Namme deserve greater encouragement and priority in our community’s cultural calendar. While games and sporting events organised purely for recreation have their own place, we must also ensure that activities deeply rooted in Kodava culture receive the attention, resources and support they deserve.
Kodavas have demonstrated a natural affinity and considerable talent for disciplines such as hockey and shooting. We should channel our collective energies into nurturing these strengths, encouraging youngsters to take up shooting as a sport and providing opportunities for promising talent to flourish. Just as Kodava children grow up familiar with the cultural significance of the gun, we can help them develop the discipline, skill and confidence required for competitive shooting through proper training and responsible practices.
LET THIS BE A PLATFORM FOR NATIONAL LEVEL PARTICIPATION
Despite our natural talent and flair, no Kodava has represented the country in this sport. It is time we spotted young talent, developed, mentored and sponsored at least a dozen youngsters with potential. This is where I would urge Institutions like the Coorg Rifle Association (CRA) to raise their hand and move this suggestion to its logical conclusion. KALS in Gonikoppal is already doing outstanding work in this sport training their wards and winning at the State Level. There is definite need to take this initiative to “representing the country” and then to “going for gold”.
Our soldiers have made an outstanding contribution to the Armed Forces at all levels. I will not tire in urging our senior retired and serving officers to help in setting up good facilities. All it requires is determination and passion – their voices will be heard more than the civilians. Our enthusiastic MLA from Virajpet has the potential to develop the existing CRA Shooting Range into a full fledged facility, backed with all round community support.
BALANCING COMMUNITY SPIRIT WITH FINANCIAL PRUDENCE
I feel Nammes for Hockey and Shooting should be accorded top priority in contrast to some which are only played for entertainment like the self-indulgent 5A Side Tournaments and seldom nurture real talent among youngsters.
At the same time, we should reflect on the growing tendency for community sporting events to become increasingly competitive, with different Okkas(clans) and organising groups feeling compelled to outdo their predecessors. While healthy competition is welcome, excessive spending on elaborate events can drain the financial resources of families and organisations. A more balanced approach would allow us to celebrate our community spirit without placing unnecessary financial burdens on those who organise and fund these gatherings.
The way forward is to preserve what is uniquely ours while investing in the future of our younger generations. Thok Namme offers an opportunity to do both: to celebrate our ancestral traditions and to encourage a new generation of skilled and responsible shooters.
Let us wholeheartedly support the families that keep these traditions alive. By giving events such as Thok Namme the recognition and encouragement they deserve, we can help preserve an important aspect of Kodavaame, strengthen our cultural identity and sustain the traditions that connect us to our ancestors.
Ultimately, preserving our heritage is not merely about remembering the past. It is about ensuring that the traditions, values and privileges associated with the Kodava way of life continue to have meaning for generations to come.
The facts, views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Coffeeland News.
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What is going on at COORG RIFLE ASSOCATION (CRA)? I have heard that the organisation has secured land but has yet to develop a fully fledged shooting range, and that there have been hardly any activities organised to promote the sport.
CRA is such a long-standing organisation. Why is it not doing more to promote shooting sports in Coorg, encourage young talent, and provide aspiring shooters with the facilities they need to train and compete?
Very relevant question Cariappa. Thanks for raising it.
Great naration of our culture, tradition, involvement, care towards our environment. The greatness of our kodava epic is extremely nice.
Well said! We are a small community indigenous to Kodagu. our culture is rooted in the rugged landscape of Kodagu. The destruction of Kodagu’s landscape and the need for our children to leave Kodagu threatens our culture.
As indicated in the article we need to preserve our culture.
Thanks Veena.
The recent celebration of the Thok Namme brilliantly captured in Ganesh Aiyanna’s wonderful article has once again turned the spotlight on our deep-rooted cultural relationship with firearms in Kodagu. Beyond the heritage and the festive spirit, this unique celebration has sparked a much-needed conversation about the revival of shooting sports in our region.
Our rituals may not be followed as strictly as our ancestors did, but we are making a comeback. Gen Z is genuinely curious to bridge the cultural gap and understand our heritage. Once they connect with our roots, they will embrace these traditions and look back to Kodagu. As long as we retain our lands and keep our community rooted, our culture will endure it’s only a matter of time before things evolve for the better over the coming decades.
After over a decade of stagnation, the revival of the CRA ( Coorg Rifle Association) is within our reach & the time has come to bring professional sport shooting to Kodagu. Given our rich heritage, once we ignite this initiative, there is no doubt we will reach extraordinary heights.
Well said naveen
Appreciate these well meaning articles on the CLN platform which goes into the depth with interesting facts and brings it out for contemporary understanding.
I have learnt a few things which I was not aware of such as the tradition of handing over the Kupiya, Peeche kathi and the Gun over a period of the formative years of the youngster growing into an adult. Very informative. It has present day connotations!
Yes there is so much to kodava traditions Customs and culture that requires a lifetime of understanding
Very thoughtful and meaningful write-up Ganesh Anna! Congratulations to the Alemada family for successfully conducting Thok Namme. Preserving our age-old traditions, customs and Kodavaame while inspiring the younger generation to understand and uphold our heritage is the need of the hour. Equally important is nurturing young shooting talent to represent our country at the national and international levels. Let us collectively preserve our rich heritage and pass it on to future generations. 👏💐
Yes Dinesh there is a dire need to protect and preserve our heritage as well as encourage young talent
A couple of points:
1. We do not worship the gun. During Kailpod, the ritual is to stow away the agricultural implements and clean the guns for the hunting (now symbolic), especially wild boar, which would damage the crops. The Pooja is an invocation to the Gurukaranas for a safe and good hunt and not praying to the gun.
2. The Thok namme should not go the way of Hockey; where the emphasis has become on raising money, so the financial generating way. It should remain a traditional rural sport. It is not a competition to see who gives a bigger prize money.
In Virajpet, we have been conducting an open coconut shooting competition since 2014 on Kailpod day under the banner of Coorg Marksmen.
This body has been formed recently to organize the different shooting competitions and is called Kodava Marksmen Association and has been registered this month. They will be taking the trouble to organize the functions in future, and the families have to register with them.
Just as I feared – we are such a small community requiring unified action and yet another Coorg Marksman Organisation has been in place since 2014. And we have the COORG RIFLE ASSOCIATION set up several decades ago by well meaning elders whom everyone appears to have forgotten!
In the midst of all this another Family Thok Namme gets instituted. It is more than apparent that North and South Kodagu need to act as one entity. This fragmented approach doesn’t serve the community well.
The other alternative is to allow the Thok routine to be a purely local affair in each Nad and Keri as it must have been in the days gone by.
Yes thats exactly my fear that organising any NAMME is to compete with previous organisers and also to raise higher funds than the previous organiser. If this is thecagenda then we aren’t going anywhere
Thok Namme is a wonderful example of how our traditions can be preserved while nurturing sporting talent among the younger generation. Along with celebrating our unique Kodava heritage, such traditions and family hockey tournaments should inspire youngsters to excel in shooting, hockey and other sports. Preserving Kodavaame while bringing families together and creating opportunities for future champions is what makes our heritage truly meaningful.
Well said. Thanks for your comment Janan
I participated in the thokk namme this year and last year too. Last year we came top 32. This year lost in the first round because of bad luck. Twice we hit the coconut but it did not crack open.
It’s important to note that thokk nammes have been going on at village level for many decades. In contrast, only from last year Pemmanda family started the annual family shooting competition. I enjoyed it, it was fun.
Thanks for your time and comments
Unfortunately I have a different view on this topic of Nammes. Not sure about the need for a full fledged Thok Namme – it’s time consuming, expensive and an indulgence in this day and age. The problem with instituting such events is that splinter events inevitably mushroom without any controls. Look at the number of Hockey tournaments that have made their appearance in myriad formats and frequency which dilutes the original intent and vision of the founder of the Kodava Hockey Festival.
Let me now focus on the Thok Namme. This can be undertaken jointly with the Family Hockey Namme or better still under the aegis of the Coorg Rifle Association. We have enough occasions for social interactions – especially at the time of Puthari when we are meant to dance at the village and Keri mandh. I think we should stop creating more and more nammes for obvious reasons – time, money and duplication.
Agree fully. Thanks for the comments
Unlike hockey, where a lapse in discipline may result in a foul or injury, Thok Namme involves firearms, where a single moment of carelessness can have fatal consequences. There is no room for error when guns are involved, and safety must take precedence over competition, tradition or sporting pride. Organisers must therefore treat firearm safety as their first and non-negotiable priority, particularly when youngsters are participating.
The organisers should appoint designated safety officers to supervise the entire event and ensure that all participants receive a safety briefing before the competition begins. Clear, written rules must govern the handling, loading, unloading, locking and unlocking of firearms, with these activities permitted only in designated areas under authorised supervision. Firearms must never be pointed at people, even when believed to be unloaded, and participants must follow the instructions of the range safety officers at all times.
The organisers should also ensure that firearms are handled only by authorised and competent participants, that spectators remain in designated safe areas, and that appropriate first-aid facilities and emergency procedures are in place. The competition should be stopped immediately if an unsafe condition or violation is observed, and resumed only after the safety officer has confirmed that it is safe to do so.
There should be zero tolerance for negligence. Any participant who disregards safety instructions, handles a firearm carelessly or repeatedly violates the rules should be immediately disqualified or suspended from the tournament. Serious violations should result in immediate confiscation and removal from the firing area.
Thok Namme is an important part of our cultural heritage. Tradition must go hand in hand with responsibility, discipline and uncompromising firearm safety.
You have highlighted a very important aspect that needs to be taken care of during Thok Namme. Thank you for pointing it out.
You are absolutely right about safety protocols. When I was young I was taught how to clean and oil all the weapons. It is a very detailed process.
Also, there is an “etiquette” related to handling guns – barrel always pointed towards the ground and open. It is even more sophisticated when it comes to handling revolvers. And most critical, make it completely inaccessible to children.
The etiquette was followed during the Alemada Thok Namme. Many youths are well informed and responsible, while those who forgot to follow, were promptly reminded to do so.
You write with panache Mr Ayanna – I like the calm endorsement of the gun’s relevance for the Kodava and your culture. Maintaining a sophisticated and elegant low profile has a far more impactful expression of the relevance of guns to your culture.
Thank you for those kind words. They encourage me to write more.
In a world where the younger generation is increasingly disconnected from its roots, events like Thok Namme are more important than ever. We should know the significance behind our traditions, not merely witness them. Kodavame is a legacy we have inherited, and preserving it for those who come after us is our responsibility.
Very well said Tushar. Thanks for commenting
Exceptionally well written article by Jammada Ganesh Ayanna. He’s got flair, punch, integrity and substance!
All that Ayanna has written is meaningful – at times extending our mindset beyond other sports like Shooting, Badminton, Tennis, Squash, Golf, Boxing, Basketball – sporting and events where we have done well makes sense. But CAN We LIMIT THE NAMME SYNDROME and FOCUS ON HARD WORK.
Instead of spending exorbitantly for Nammes, as a community we should identify and support real talent with potential that brings glory to the country and the community.
I would also urge everyone to read an extremely well researched and relevant article in Coorg.com that Ayanna has highlighted and referenced:
https://coorg.com/guns-kodavas-rite-passage/
The above article is comprehensive in its references and gives the perfect backdrop for Ayanna’s article.
Appaiah your comments made my day. So nice of you to spare your time and write.
Very well written. I sincerely appreciate Alemada Vokka for pioneering this wonderful shooting competition among Vokkas. This initiative should have begun much earlier, given the deep and historic connection Kodavas have with guns, which are an integral part of our unique culture and traditions.
I also appreciate Ganesh Anna for sharing these valuable insights and urging the concerned authorities to prioritise the development of this sport in Kodagu, particularly through the Coorg Rifle Association and KALS. I fully support this initiative and hope it receives the encouragement, recognition, and institutional support it deserves.
Such competitions can help preserve our heritage, nurture sporting talent, and inspire the younger generation to connect with an important aspect of Kodava culture in a disciplined and responsible manner. May this be the beginning of many more initiatives that celebrate and strengthen our traditions.
Shammi you said it. Thanks for your positive thoughts
Ganesh, your article is well written.We should be proud of our culture and gun being an integral part of it. Thok Namme and your article certainly help us appreciate the deeper significance of our heritage and culture.
Long live Kodavame.
Jagath my dear friend happy you shared your thoughts
Thank you Jammada Ganesh Ayanna, this article has covered almost all aspects of the integral part of a gun in the Kodava way of life.
First and foremost as a nationalist and law abiding community we have never misused any of the rights entrusted upon us. Thok Nammes and local shooting competitions are excellent ways to bring our community closer to its heritage, while giving people greater exposure to our traditional practices and encouraging them to handle and use our weapons not just with pride, but with purpose.
This will also help young talents in the field of competitive shooting in national and international stages. A need of the hour is a community run state of art shooting academy with good coaches and equipment to train individuals who are interested in taking up competitive shooting and also a place that can fulfill the needs of recreational shooting for interested people.
Point well made Aiyappa. It is time that all the age old Organisations that were set up with good intent actually delivered the promise for which they were established.
Frankly we should run the Thok Namme on the same guidelines as the the Family Hockey Event under KHA – with one big difference – KHA should set the rules, retain the surplus and contain the tendency for oneupmanship.
This is the ideal time for Coorg Rifle Association to raise their hand and step up the ante.
Aiyappa you have expressed your thoughts well hope we all can together ensure OUR HERITAGE AND TRANDITIONS ARE PROTECTED FOR POSTERITY.
I also suggested that the book “The Galent Kodava and his gun” written by your uncle Advocate Palecanda S. Subaiah be made available to the members of our community.
Well said. Kodavas are very responsible gun owners and handlers. Every Kodava child is taught from an early age to handle guns responsibly.
Yet another outstanding article after the essence of kodava worship by Ganesh Aiyanna..
THOK NAMME is more than a celebration, it is a beautiful reflection of kodava culture, traditions and our deep rooted connection to our land and ancestors. Such celebrations keep our customs alive and bring generations together, reminding us of the richness of our heritage.
Being a part of this celebration was truly special for me. Witnessing a Avvayya aged 94 participating in thok namme was deeply moving. Such celebrations are meaningful only when we understand their significance and ensure that our younger generation carries this traditions forward. Preserving kodavame is not just about reminding our past. It is about protecting our identity for the future.
Congratulations to the Alemada family for successfully conducting Thok Namme and to Ganesh Aiyanna for bringing these important cultural discussions to the readers.
Mamatha you are also an outstanding writer and I am happy you concur with my article. Thanks
A wonderful and insightful article highlighting the importance of our Thok and traditions. They reflect our rich cultural heritage, strengthen our values, and connect generations. Truly appreciate the effort in preserving and promoting these timeless traditions for future generations. Well written and inspiring Uncle! Even I remembered my NCC days, how we use to respect Thok and use it in our dril. Great article and a great work uncle.
Thanks for your time and relevant comments
Your article not only throw light on our true legacy, it also guides our youngsters and organisers of the events to take up and nurture the talents seriously. Hope your suggestions are heard and action is taken. I strongly believe that Hockey and Shooting festivals should identify and encourage young talents to take up the game in professional manner and provide platform and guide them to hone their talent.
Appreciate your effort and time to leave a comment
Like the annual Kodava Hockey festival I hope the Thokk Namme also becomes an annual event. Hats off to Jammada Ganesh for a wonderful write-up which is very enlightening and informative. Great Ganesh…hope you will continue writing regarding our Kodava culture & rituals.👍
Your appreciation and comments inspire me to write more such articles. Thanks a ton.
Valid point in the above article…
While healthy competition is welcome, excessive spending on elaborate events can drain the financial resources of families and organisations. A more balanced approach would allow us to celebrate our community spirit without placing unnecessary financial burdens on those who organise and fund these gatherings.
Thanks Sagar and very well said
You said it appropriately. The namme syndrome should be to identify talent and lead them forward. After the namme everyone forgets the event till the next event emerges in a new form. Sagar too said it well.
Congratulations to Aiyanna on the well written article.
Very well summarised. Thanks Sir for your time and excellent thoughts .
Important highlights:
a) Thokk Naamme connect to our traditions and festivals
b) keep the competition in mind / nurture youngsters and create platform for national and international competitions
c) excessive spending… doesn’t do any good of our community
Kishan you have summarised well. Thanks for your thoughts