Calicut�s Moplah Culinary Magic!

The Malayalam-speaking Muslims of the Malabar district of North Kerala, are known as Moplahs. They are Arab descendants. Centuries ago, when Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India and landed at Calicut, Arabs sailed over to trade in spices, silk and other commodities. Several settled down in India and took local Kerala women as brides. The Moplahs are descended from that intermarriage. Even in 21st century Calicut, the Moplahs still bear some traces of their ancestry. This is in their attire and cuisine. Certainly, the hot and dry Kerala climate encouraged a change in the traditional Arab costume. Today it is reduced to a white lungi and shirt and a turban tied around the head. The Arab moustache and beard remains. Moplahs are easily identified by their appearance. And then there�s their cuisine. A hearty and robust food, with plenty of meats and fish, and the Arab influence in dishes.