Aliyasantana


Aliyasantana was a matrilineal system of inheritance practiced by Tuluva community in the coastal districts of Karnataka, India.

Origins

Myth of origin

s believe Aliya Santana was adopted at the behest of a king called Bhootala Pandya. The story goes like this: A demon wanted the king to sacrifice his son to save the kingdom from a longstanding drought. However, none of his queens and sons were ready to be sacrificed. Seeing the difficult situation, the king's sister offers her son. However, the demon shows mercy and lets him off. On his part, the king declares his nephews his true inheritor.

Salient features

Tuluva sub-groups which practised a matrilineal system of inheritance included: