History
History
Agricultural History
The entire region was once under the jurisdiction of Kuttippuram, Ayanjeri, and Puramery Kovilek, with the local landowners leasing land to farmers who cultivated it, often bringing in additional workers. Land was also collected from the tenants (Kudiyanmar), with some of it being paid as a form of tribute to the landowners (Kovilek). Those without land rights in the area, known as "Pattalikal," were responsible for collecting the tribute, such as Pattam (payment) and Varam (tribute).
The agricultural practices in the region were deeply influenced by traditional methods, including the system of "Charth-Poleech," and "Charth-Melcharth," where farmers were given land after certain intervals of time. This allowed for the transition of land into fertile areas suitable for crops like coconut, pepper, and rubber, especially during the migration of people in the southern region during the 40s. The adoption of scientific agricultural practices began, and farming in the eastern region expanded into various crops, including coconuts, pepper, and new varieties of crops in both the plains and hilly areas. Rubber cultivation also began to take root in the hilly regions during this time.
Landless farmers, after the reform movements of the 1950s, took over uncultivated land, mostly in the valleys, and started farming intensively, focusing mainly on crops like cassava (Kappa), banana, and other vegetables. As time progressed, the introduction of modern agricultural techniques resulted in increased production of crops like Kappa and banana, sometimes surpassing local needs.
Educational History
The early education system in Valayam began at the start of the 20th century through traditional "Ezhuthupallikals" (writing schools), which were mostly managed by local teachers. The first Gurus (teachers) who came from southern Malabar included teachers like Gopalan Gurukkal, Ananthan Gurukkal from Champanadu, and Govindan Gurukkal, who were responsible for teaching the local children. Teachers from neighboring areas like Mavullath and Thovara also played a vital role in educating the children.
These schools taught the basics, such as the alphabet, but also included subjects like Amarakosha, Manipravalam, Rupam, and Kavya (poetry). However, access to education was initially limited to economically advanced families. Over time, the number of local teachers grew, which allowed children from various communities to gain access to education.
In the early years, caste-based discrimination existed in educational institutions. Students from higher castes had separate seating arrangements, and teachers would often punish students from lower castes by throwing sticks instead of using physical force. This caste-based segregation was prevalent until the establishment of more formal schools.
The first L.P. School (Lower Primary) in the village was the present-day Valayam U.P. School. The first high school was established in 1957, during the tenure of I.M.M.S. Namboodiripad as the first Kerala Cabinet Minister, and it marked a significant development in education. At the same time, Valayam U.P. School was upgraded to an L.P. School, and other educational institutions were set up in nearby locations such as Poovamvayal and Chaliattupoyil.
In 1982, the Chuzhali Government L.P. School was established. By 1991, Valayam High School was upgraded to a Higher Secondary School.
The education system gained further momentum after the development of infrastructure, such as the Kulangaraveedu Bridge, which connected the village to the outside world, facilitating better transport and communication.
Medical History
Before the establishment of government healthcare centers, people relied on traditional healing practices. Prominent traditional healers in the area were Rayaroth Othenan, Alayil Sankaran, Onjentavida Krishnan, and Choolayil Kumaran. These practitioners provided herbal remedies for various ailments. In 1957, the government established the Valayam Primary Health Center, which became the only health service available to the people of the region, serving both local villagers and those from surrounding areas.
Local Cultural Development History
In the 1940s, the Sree Narayana Guru Smaraka Reading Room was established in Kuttikatt, contributing to the cultural development of the region. Tribes, such as the Kurichiya from Valliyat, Ayod, and Kandivathukal, were settled in these areas and claim a heritage of over 600 years. Some of their ancestors are said to have been soldiers in the army of King Pazhassi Raja.
These tribal communities were expert farmers, growing rice, pepper, and vegetables, as well as cultivating traditional crops such as Mutthari, Chama, and Kakkiri. Men specialized in hunting (Nayattu), while women and children engaged in fishing. Traditional weapons like Ambu and Villu (bows and arrows) were commonly used for hunting, and later, firearms were also introduced.
The cultural practices of these tribes were unique. One notable custom was the offering of meat and alcohol as a Naivedyam (offering) to the ancestors. Marriage customs also had their unique characteristics. For instance, the bride’s family would often demand silver from the groom's family, while the groom was expected to stay at the bride’s home for a year after marriage. The groom had to carry a Villu (bow) when attending marriage ceremonies.
The village, which was isolated for many years, had no roads until the 1950s. In the absence of modern infrastructure, goods were transported by boat, and trade with nearby areas like Kovvayi, Mayyannur, and Vadakara was conducted by walking along narrow forest paths or by boat. Road transport started with the Kulangaraveedu Bridge, and the bus service began in 1968, connecting the village to the rest of the district.