Aaliyasantana

Aaliyasantana  is a matrilineal   (sister's son lineage ) system of inheritance  of properties followed mostly by the  Bunts , non - brahmin and certain other communities in south canara which is complete opposite compared to the system followed by Hindus. It is also referred to Ali- Santana ( kundapura Kannada ) or Aliya- Kattu ( Tulu ), where in the children belongs to mother's family , and they will inherit the Bali or Bari of mother or  in the form of ancestral house through the mother.Bali is similar to what is called Gotra in Brahmins. All the laws governing the marriages are based on Bali , so that boy and girl of same Bali are not supposed to get married and they are considered siblings . So marriage between the persons belonging to the same Bari was prohibited .The property of the mother is divided among the  children in such a way that , the female children would inherit the major share depending upon number of childrens they have . A son would get only his share . There were no clear rules for the father's property. Probably, in the earlier times it might have gone solely to nephew. However, it was observed in the later period even though the mother's property distribution would always follow matrilineal inheritance rules (sometimes at the expense of sons), father was free to distribute his property according to his wish.Women had the right to divorce and remarry.

Tuluvas believe Aliya Kattu was adopted at the behest of a king called Bhootala Pandya.The story goes like this. It is said that very long ago Barkur was called as "Baraha Kanya Pura ". The King Bhootala Pandya had twelve wives.The King of Demon , Kundodara Bhoota Demanded a "Bali" ( Sacrifice ) of King's  son when the newly built ship was sent out to sea .Even though  he had twelve wives and lot of children they refused to give one . Then his sister agreed to sacrifice her son . The Demon Kundodara was impressed , he not only spared the young boy's life , but also ordered Bootala Pandya to follow the Aliya- Santana , where in all the property would be inherited to his Nephew , and the laws of inheritance were written , as dictated by the Demon Kundodara.

Even today Aliya- Santana is followed in Tulu-Nadu , especially in Bunts community. It is said to be the only systems of inheritance where the property was passed down female line , giving property rights to women. Thus the women took the whole responsibility of running the households as well as guarding and taking care of sprawling properties . Womens were the decision- maker of the family . The system vested great responsibility , reverence , respect ,social standing and economic independence to women of the communities folowing these systems.In Aliyasantana , the eldest male member was called 'Yejaman' and the eldest female member was called 'Yejamanthi'.