Community & Cultural background

Background
My parents are from India. It is the seventh-largest country area wise, with a population over 1.2
billion people. My parents are from the state of Kerala which is located in the south-west region
of India. Kerala is an important tourist destination, with backwaters, beaches, Ayurvedic tourism,
and tropical greenery among its major attractions.
Language/ Communication
The language we speak at home is Malayalam which is also the language used in the state of Kerala
In addition to Malayalam we also speak English, Tamil, Konkani, Hindi languages.

Religion
My parents are Hindus. Hinduism is extremely diverse, rich in ceremonies. My parents belong to
the brahmanical society.

Customs
We are religious and family oriented. We believe in simple material comforts and rich spiritual
accomplishments.
Our families are large and often extended families live together or near each other as a joint family.

Diet
Rice is the main food used. Meals are usually spicy. Different types of curry, eg, eggs, fish, meat, are
popular.
Hindus consider cows to be sacred and will not eat beef or use any leather.
Vegetarianism is widely practiced, often for religious reasons.
All cultural societies have different food laws and customs, as does each religion.

Eating
Eating habits vary between traditional and modern settings. Modern families will
Eat together and follow many Western customs.
Traditional families may use the right hand instead of utensils for eating their food,
Women usually eat after other members of the family and any guests and
Dinner guests might drink from a communal cup; if so, the lips never touch it.
Dress
My mother wears a colourful type of pantsuit with a long shirt that extends to the knee.
She also occasionally wears a traditional Saree, a long length of fabric draped in variations.
She wear a Bindi or red dot on her forehead. Traditionally, it was a
Sign of femininity and gracefulness. Widows do not wear a Bindi.
My dad wears a Lungi a different type of long fabric
tied around the waist.

Respect to elders
Children are expected to support and care for
their parents and or grandparents. Indians
generally prefer to live with the whole family,
children, parents, grand-parents.

A Disability or mental illness is generally viewed as punishment brought on the person, due
to the effects of bad karma in their past life.