When dealing with Kerala and Malabari culture, it would be wrong not
to mention Lakshadweep, the supposedly 1 lakh islands (as the name
suggests) off the Kerala coast. This Union Territory was constituted in
1956. The islands form the smallest of the Union Territories
of India and are the country's only coral islands. The culture, languages and lifestyle of
these islands are very similar to that of the Muslim population of Kerala.
The Lakshadweep archipelago consists of 36 islands some 200 to 300
kilometers off the Kerala coast. The islands are a northern extension of
the Maldives chain. Ten of the islands are inhabited: Andrott, Amini, Agatti,
Bittra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti is the head quarters. The
population is 93% Muslim (belonging to the Shafi
school of the Sunni sector). The main occupations of
the island people are fishing and the production of copra
and coir. Tourism is an emerging industry.
