Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Kerala | |
Languages | |
Malayalam, Sanskrit | |
Religion | |
Hinduism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Illathu Nairs, Kiryathil Nairs, Nambiar, Eradi, Swaroopathil Nair |
Samantan Nair, also known as Samanthan Nair or just Samantan (meaning "equal to" or "deemed to be"), was a generic term applied to dignify a group of sub-clans among the ruling elites (Naduvazhi) and feudal lords (Jenmi) of the Nair community in Kerala.[1][2]
Robin Jeffrey, an anthropologist, described the Samantans as, "A matrilineal caste ranking between Nairs and Kshatriyas" [3]