History of Tamale; Presence of Tamil Influence by Tamil Food History

Unveiling the Truth: TAMALE - The Presence of Tamil Influence

If you have big dreams about traveling around the world but you are someone who always love eating Tamil food, chances are less that you will find restaurants that serves Tamil food to satisfy your cravings. So...what to do? A historian, Tamil researcher and a writer Dr. ஒரிசா பாலு (Dr. Orissa Balu) suggests going to a Mexican Restaurant instead. 

Here you can sit down and fully enjoy the combination dishes most visibly and tastefully similar to our Tamil food in different names. For example: You will find soru (rice), murungai (moringa), karamani (black eyed beans), chicken kuzhambu (mole), chutney (salsa), Thengai Barfi (Cocados), Kadala Mittai (Palanquetaa de Cacahuate - simply Mexican Peanut Candy) and most importantly ‘wraps’ wrapping meat and vegetables steamed until cooked.

One such wrapped ancient food is TAMALE. Not just the name alone has the Tamil influence but also in its ancient roots. The history of tamales is one worth exploring. One of the foods that have kept human beings alive for more than 9000 years (documented) on the mesoamerican continent, think about this special food that last beyond nations, beyond flags and beyond languages. The primary purpose of this post is to unveil the truth that connects Tamil and Tamale; and Forefathers of Mayans were Tamils.

What is a Traditional Tamale?

 A traditional tamale is made with

• Corn husk on the outside. 
• Inside it is a layer of corn 'masa' and 
• Some type of meat 

A tamale without these three ingredients is nothing but an imposter. Traditional tamales are also steamed or boiled, NOT fried or baked. The classic tamale is one of the tastiest types of Mexican food when made authentically.

Tamales are not easily replicated by outsiders and non-indigenous cooks. Some recipes involve over 100 steps and hours of preparation before taking hours to cook. The biggest obstacles are grinding the corn from scratch, adding the right spices, and cooking times. This is why most pre-made tamales lack any real definition or texture.

Short Ancient History of Tamales

The origin of Tamale is traced all the way back to 7,000 B.C. (documented). Back then, there wasn't corn as we know it today. The ancestor to modern maize called teocintle, was the basis of the tamale.

Teocintle (the ancestor of modern maize) was valued for its sweet-tasting stalks, originally. As the natives picked it and pollinated them, they discovered its robust and delicious corn. The corn we use today is much less nutrient-dense and more susceptible to disease. 

Teocintle, ancestor to modern maize 

Tamale is an anglicized version of the word TAMAL. Tamale is derived from the word "Tamal" in Nahuatl. Both Aztecs and Mayans considered Tamale as sacred food of the Gods.

Tamales were also called "uah" by Mayans, "pibs" by the Yucatans, "hallaquitas" by Venezuelans, and "humitas" by those living south of the Equator. No matter what they were called, the formation of the tamale was the same.

In the 19th Century, Mexican bourgeoisie tied the "tamal" to poverty. This food staple was looked upon as the reason for the poor health of peasants. The Mexican Revolution removed these treasonous leaders who shamed the poor for being poor and the tamal was reborn as the symbol of Mexican cuisine.

Both the Ancient Mexicans and Tamils ate Tamales with the Same Name

The ancient Tamils gave some of their favorite foods with the same names to ancient Mexicans. I will name two of them: TAMALES and CORUNDAS.

Non-native speakers of Tamil language cannot pronounce (practice makes it possible) the unique special letter ‘ழ’ which is written in English as ‘zh’ (I am not sure why?) So the ancient தமிழ்(Tamizh) people were known as Tamils or Tamals to the world. 

One of the favorite foods of ancient Tamils was a type of paste or filling (meat or seafood or vegetable) wrapped in bamboo husk. Even in Tamil Nadu it is called TAMAL. 

Before continuing with this, I must clarify who the Mayans really were. How did they set their sail to Mesoamerica? 

Who brought Mayans to Mexico?

Ancient Tamils were international traders and colonizers. Wherever they went in the world, they left an unmistakable imprint of their presence, such as place names, foods, games, and temple buildings. 

Unlike now, the Ancient Tamil country aka Tamilakam had their boundaries extended eastward up to JAVA, Indonesia 🇮🇩 - says Dr.Orissa Balu. 

Ancient Tamil Country’s Eastward Border Seaport in Java, Indonesia; Screenshot from Newsglitz

From Java, Indonesia (Eastward border of Tamil Country) to Mesoamerica, the transit time is few nautical miles. 

Forefathers of Mesoamerican Mayans were Tamils

The Mayans said that the land of their forefathers lay 150 days westward. 

Reference: Chapter 5, About those who brought the American Indians to Mexico 

The Mayans are Mesoamerican civilizations developed by its people called the Maya. 

The term Maya derives from the last Capital City of one the oldest known civilizations, the Mayan Kingdom (in the Post-Classical Period 900-1519 AD), in Yucatan called MAYAPAN (மாயப்பன்)

When the Tamils arrived in North America, they crossed over the Caribbean Sea through the Panama. After coming out on the other side, they docked in the safe harbor of Ketumal or Chetumal. After thousands of years, it still bears the same name, Chetumal harbor in Belize, Belize derives from Belisha - God Eesan (Sivan).

Later, they left Chetumal and reached the beautiful land Kankun (Cancan). Similar to New York named after York In England, ancient Tamils named Kankun reminding them of the beauty of their old home in Konkan. 

Map of Ancient Tamil Mayans traveling from Chetumal to Cancan

Tamils settled in Yucatan, the Mexican state. Had the natives of Mesoamerica been able to pronounce the “ST” combination, today’s Yucatan would be Yucasthan (Yakkhathan?) As mentioned earlier, Yakkha is one of the Tamil tribal names besides to Maya, Lenca and Lak - says Gene D. Matlock.

In 1949, two scholars, Gordon Ekholm and Chaman Lal, systematically compared the Maya, Aztec, Inca, and the North American indigenous civilizations with India, they found signs of Hindu civilization throughout the Americas in art architecture, calendars, astronomy, religious symbols, etc. Had he been more knowledgeable about ancient India and Ceylon, he would have known that they were Tamils not the Indian Hindus. 

Were Ancient Tamils the Parents of Mesoamerican Mayans?

One of the names of ancient Tamil’s religions was Mayon. It still exists among a few aboriginals living on the island (present day Srilanka). 

The Tamil Ceylonese Mayans (see origin of the name Ceylon explained at the end of this post) were known for their impressive astronomical knowledge, architectural marvels, temples and irrigation ponds. 

Reference: The History of Ceylon, by William Knighton, first published in Colombo Ceylon, in 1845

The Mayan had their own nation in Srilanka, also named Maya with the sub-group called Laks. In Mexico they were called Lancandons. Besides to Tamil tribes Maya and Laks there were Yakkhas(Yakhsas), Asuras, Nagas, Kurus, Lenca etc.,

The Lancandon Mayan people exist in Mesoamerica, including the inhabitants of Yucatan (Yakkhustan). 

Even ancient Tamils named all of the North American continent Quivira (Kheeveria) -the land of Kubera (Khyber) People. 

Linguistic Evidence That the Mayans Were Tamils From Ceylon

Author Gene D. Matlock in his book, listed several names that directly and indirectly identified Ceylon. I am presenting a few important names that directly identified the Tamil presence in Mesoamerican Mayan names.

Reference: Open Secret of India, Israel and Mexico by Gene D. Matlock

Itzamna

Itzamna was one of their cultural heros. 

Isham, meaning ‘Tiger’, ‘Land of Gold’ in Tamil

Na in Isham-na is an honorific (similar to Anna in Tamil)

Yaxilan

The Yaxilon Mayan ruins. Yaxilon or Yakshilan in Tamil meaning Ceylon Yakkhs (One of the Tamil tribes) 

Xbalanca(Ishbalanka)

Ishbalanka, another cultural hero. In Tamil, it means Shiva of Lanka.

Lancandon

Lancandon, a tribe of Yucatan. God Kuberan, gave the country one of its many names becoming Lakam people or the Lakan. The Don in Lancan-Don derived from Dan (Tannu or Dannu?) 

See online Cologne Tamil dictionaries for comparison of ancient Ceylon names with those of Mayan tribes and places.

Origin of the word ‘Tamale’

Now I would like to come back to Tamale which is already been mentioned earlier. The google results for the origin of Tamale from Nahuatl language tamal, tamalii, a word for wrapped food, which is more or less true. 

The etymology of தமல (Tamal) in ancient Tamil simply means husk or leaf. Not many are aware of தமாலம் (Tamalam) tree (Mysore gamboge tree = garcinia xanthochymus). The leaves are called தமாலபத்ரம் (Tamala-Pathram) in Tamil language.

Ancient Tamils of Mullai Thinai Landscape (Present Yadavas), a ritual of applying yellow-colored vertical line (Namam -The Mark of God) on their forehead is from தமால மரத்தின் (Tamal Tree’s) gamboge. 

Golden-colored buds from pasumpidi (Tamalam) tree

Tamale in Ancient Tamil Poems

Ancient Tamil Poems provides several evidences to the usage of the word ‘Tamal’. I have presented a list of few ancient Tamil poems in this post. 

கருமை நிறத்துடன் நெடிதோங்கி வளர்வது பச்சிலை மரம் (பசும்பிடி - குறிஞ்சிப்பாட்டு) by Poet Kabilar in one of his Kurinji Songs.

Tamil Sangam Poet Kabilar refers Tamal tree in one of this Kurinji Songs as “பசும்பிடி” (Pasumpidi). He also describes the color of Tamal tree in the song connecting Lord Krishnan’s ( Kannan) beautiful dark skin. 

மதஜல தமால பத்ரா வஸனித பத்ரா கராத்ருத கனித்ரா |
விஹரதி புலிந்தயோஷா குஞ்ஜாபூஷா பணீந்த்ர க்ருதவேஷா ||85||

In this Tamil poem, தமல = வெற்றிலை (Tamal = Betel leaf), betel leaves in ancient Tamil are known as Tamal or Tamala. The popular usage of the word தம்பலம்/தாம்பூலம் (Tambalam/Taambulam) refers to the தமல (Tamal) leaves.

ஆர்வமாய் உடல்சி லிர்க்கும் அரியவன் ஆகம் மீது 
வார்பசும் மரத்தின் மொட்டாய் வண்டென வளரும் மாது ஆர்ந்திடும் மங்கலங்கள் அதிபதிகடைக்கண்  நோக்கச் சேர்ந்திடும் செல்வம் என்பால் திருமகள் அளித்துக் காக்க! 

Here, the Tamil Poet Ilandhai, refers Tamal tree as “பசும் மரம்” (Pasum Tree). Another Tamil Poet Kannadhasan refers Tamal tree as “மரகதம்” (Maragadham)

There is another evidence to Tamal tree in ancient Tamil, பச்சைக்கர்ப்பூரம் (Pachaikarpooram) is also known as Tamal Tree. Also, the people who grows and sells Tamal leaves (Betel leaves) are professionally known as தமாலி (Tamale) in ancient Bangladesh. 

Mirror-image similarities among Ancient Tamils and Mesoamerican Mayans

The Tamil Sangam Literature (சங்க இலக்கியம், caṅka ilakkiyam) historically known as 'the poetry of the noble ones'. From the basic associations of landscape and people, a wide range of specific themes suitable for each landscape were derived. 

Mullai Thinai is the second among 4 others. Mullai Thinai refers to forest landscape. 

(See @tamilfoodhistory Instagram page for more information on Thinais) 

Mesoamerican Mayan agriculture techniques and cultural practices reminds us about the practices in Mullai Thinai mentioned in Tamil Sangam Literature - says Dr. Orissa Balu.

Comparison of Ancient Tamils (Mullai Thinai) Agriculture and Mesoamerican Agriculture; Screenshot from Newsglitz

Here is the list of mirror-image similarities between Mullai Thinai and Mesoamerican Mayan: 

• Rainforest Agriculture: Both Mesoamerican Mayans and Mullai Thinai  people farmed in the forests and swamps.

• Hunting and Gathering for food in their early days. 

• Both chose special days for planting and harvesting. 

• They had celebrations and rituals to Rain God Chac who is known as God Indran among Tamils. Both believed he would send the much needed rain if the celebrations pleased him.

• The Mullai Thinai people were called Ayar and Idayar. Similarly, the Mesoamerican history mentions “The legend of Siblings Ayar” 
• Reference: The Ayar-Incas by Miles Poindexter, a former ambassador of the United States to Mexico, in his two-volume 1930s treatise.

Seemingly alien yet familiar to us, their intricate architecture, cuisine, language, and mythology provides the evidence pointing to the Ancient Tamil origins of the Mayans. I have just presented a tiny part of the uncovered truth to common people.

Some Parting Thoughts

Ancient Srilanka was known as Ceylon (maybe) derived from the word சேயோன்-CEYON (Tamil God Murukan). The most popular Tamil God முருகன் (Murukan) had an indigenous name சேய் (Cey). The author of தொல்காப்பியம் (Tolkāppiyam) refers to Murukan as சேயோன் (CEYON). 

Similar to the deluge mentioned in the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh Tablet 11, some of the Tamil researchers believe that, it was Ceyon (Murukan) who saved people from the huge deluge, survivors would have been in நாவாய் (Navai meaning Boat in Tamil), reached a land and named it after the savior.