Kochi is home to both Malabari and Foreign Jewish communities. The term, as misunderstood by many, is not referred to Jews of European origin, even though Kochi was once home to them. The usage is more connected with the concept of racial purity which is one of the cornerstones of the Jewish faith rather than the colour of Skin. According to the oral traditions, it was the destruction of erstwhile Muzris port that led the Jews to migrate into Kochi. Upon reaching Kochi, the King gifted them a place to settle while also granting them occupational and religious freedom. They shared close connections with the Dutch and this made them wealthy and influential. This relationship that they enjoyed with the Dutch might have led the locals to call them white Jews. The close proximity of the Jewish synagogue and the King’s palace talks volumes about the special liking that he had for the community. In fact the genesis of the name Mattancherry is believed to have a strong Jewish underpinning to it.
