It symbolizes the womb of the mother goddess.  It is the significant aspect of the fertility cult. Offerings of cereals, cock-blood, red flowers, etc are made in front of the Kalasam and kalam. These rituals are responsible, as being believed, for the blessings of the super nature for prosperity in men and women, cattle and wealth. The dancer throws rice on the audience and distributes turmeric powder as symbols of blessings.  The turmeric powder has a high medicinal value against small pox etc.

The entire village folk attend the Theyyam festival and place offerings, vegetables, oil etc.  Some of the grand Theyyam festivals of the Vaniyas, the Thiyyas and the Maniayanis are followed by the arrangements for common feast for the entire devotees from the cult-centre itself. Such feasts in favour of the mother goddess take place once in twelve years or twenty five years. Different castes and communities of the village participate in such festivals.

The expenditure is shared by them by way of donation, compulsory levy imposed upon the members of the particular caste who own the shrine and offerings made by the devotees. Some of the major disputes and caste conflicts are settled by the village elders on such occasions of the Theyyam festival. It was an effective way of administration of justice in the medieval period. It even continued in the days of British administration. As such the social content of Theyyam festival is appreciated by scholars.

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Historical Background

Classification of Sub Cults

Patronage By Brahmins

A Note On Performance

Meaning and Social Content

Dancers and Their Training

Training of the Artist

Caste and Agrarian Relations

Stylization

Local History

Future of Theyyam