My classmate and friend of old, Saiju Matthew Stephen (who hails from Uzhavoor in Kerala), sends me this link on the Knanaya Catholics. The Knanaya Community are descendents of a group of 400-odd Jewish-Christian emigrants from Southern Mesopotamia who came to Kerala in AD 345. Although they are administratively part of the Syro-Malabar Church, the Knanaya Community has its own distinct traditions, culture and spirituality. Despite being such a small community (today they number about 200 000), they have managed to preserve most of their customs and culture. One interesting feature of the Knanayite culture is endogamy - marriage within the community only. The site Saiju sends mentions several other distinct traditions of the Knanayaites.

Incidentally, Indian President K.R. Narayanan also hails from Uzhavoor. Check out www.uzhavoor.com.