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Madikeri: The 'Okka' system forms the bedrock of the Kodava community, serving as a crucial identifier among its people. Among Kodavas, the first question often asked in a conversation is, "Which Okka do you belong to?" This inquiry is followed by questions about the individual’s name and the names of their parents. According to community elders, there were over 4,000 Kodava Okkas even before the time of the kings, reflecting the system's deep historical roots.
In an effort to preserve and promote this important tradition, the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy is set to conduct a programme called ‘Okkorme.’ The aim of this initiative is to document and safeguard the customs, rituals, rules, and regulations associated with the Okka system, ensuring that it remains a proud symbol of the Kodava community for future generations.
Ajjinikanda Mahesh Nachaiah, President of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, highlighted the importance of this effort. “We want to ensure that the traditions of the Okka system continue to be a proud emblem of the Kodava people," he said.
Currently, official documentation exists for 1,047 Kodava families. As part of the ‘Okkorme’ initiative, the Academy is inviting Kodavas and those from Kodava-speaking communities to register their family or Okka names. The registration requires providing details such as the family name, names of elders, the current head of the family (Pattedaara), names of ancestors or Karona, the village where the ancestral homes (Ainmane and Balyamane) are located, and an estimate of the family’s population.
This information can be submitted to the Academy through the mobile number 8762942976 or by post to the President/Registrar, Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, Junior College Road, Scouts Bhavan, Madikeri.
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