Srambyekkal, Srambiappadi and Srambiamukk are some of the typical names of places in the villages of the Malabar region. All these names refer to a little local landmark people had once or still have in their locality. A Srambia is small structure, traditionally made of timber and wooden planks as a place of worship for small groups of people belonging to Muslim faith.
They were usually seen adjacent to water-bodies such as a stream, a river or a pond so that the water is guaranteed for ablution, the ceremonious washing of hands and face before the prayer. Though there were a number of them across the region until a few decades ago, majority of them got converted to mosques as changing time and population required it.
Srambias, in some cases, can also be seen as the predecessors of mosques, says P.P. Abdul Razak, Associate Professor of History, PSMO College, Thirurangadi. A number of mosques across the Malabar region in their present location had the little structures called Srambias once. They were used by believers to pray, take rest and socialise. Some of them were also used by travellers during the old times, says Dr. Razak. Seen adjoining paddy fields and other workplaces are Srambias constructed for labourers to take rest and pray in between their work.
In some cases they might also have been sponsored by the local aristocrats from the community, says Dr. Razak.
Only very few Srambias still retain their old shape, structure and size. While some of them have been abandoned or dismantled for different reasons from time to time, the majority of them have metamorphosed into large structures of mosque. Very few of them like the one at Moozhikkal, near Kunnamangalam in Kozhikode, are still used by believers as they were used in the past. “There are a handful of them who still come here for prayers every day,” says K.C. Faizal from Moozhikkal.
Considering their historical importance, at least a select few of them could be protected by the authorities for posterity, says A.M. Shinas, Assistant Professor of History, Government Arts and Science College, Meenchanda, here. “Because they can stand testimony to a lot of aspects related to the socio-cultural and religious life of people,” he says.
