Nair

The Nair /ˈnɑː.jər/, also known as Nayar, are a group of Indian castes, described by anthropologist Kathleen Gough as "not a unitary group but a named category of castes". The Nair include several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom historically bore the name 'Nair'. These people lived, and continue to live, in the area which is now the Indian state of Kerala. Their internal caste behaviours and systems are markedly different between the people in the northern and southern sections of the area, although there is not very much reliable information on those inhabiting the north.

Historically, Nairs lived in large family units called tharavads that housed descendants of one common female ancestor. These family units along with their unusual marriage customs, which are no longer practiced, have been much studied. Although the detail varied from one region to the next, the main points of interest to researchers of Nair marriage customs were the existence of two particular rituals — the pre-pubertal thalikettu kalyanam and the later sambandam - and the practice of polygamy in some areas. Some Nair women also practiced hypergamy with Nambudiri Brahmins from the Malabar region.

Nair (Mauritania)

Nair is a small offshore island off the Banc d'Arguin National Park, Mauritania.

Nair (hair removal)

Nair is a hair removal product manufactured by Church & Dwight. It was purchased from Carter-Wallace in 2001.

Active ingredients

Two of the active ingredients are calcium hydroxide (lime) and sodium hydroxide (lye), which raise the pH of hair, chemically breaking it down. Some formulations also contain potassium thioglycolate, which breaks down the disulphide bonds in the hair's keratin thus weakening it enough to be simply wiped away. Products such as Nair often combine softening agents such as mineral oil to help offset the harsh active ingredients.

Products

Nair makes a variety of products.

References

External links