The Knanaya (Hebrew: קנניה, Malayalam: ക്നാനായ, Syriac: ܛܢܢܐ, Arabic: قينان), also known as Q’nanaya, Q’nai, Kanai, or Thekkumbagar, are an endogamous group of Jews who settled in Kerala, India. Their origins remain unclear and are the subject of ongoing debate among academic scholars. Many believe they are descendants of Yemeni Jews who were once a significant part of the Cochin Jewish population until the sixteenth century.
Why Should Knanaya People Follow Endogamy?
The following points, drawn from the Holy Bible, provide ample evidence supporting the practice of endogamy among the Knanaya people: