Concept · Folk · South India · North Malabar, Kerala; Tulu Nadu
Theyyam
A ritual performance tradition of north Kerala and neighbouring Karnataka in which a costumed dancer from a hereditary community is possessed by a deity, hero or ancestor and speaks and blesses as that being; Puranic gods, local heroes and spirits are all danced this way.
Sources: Vishnumoorthy Theyyam — Wikipedia; Types of Theyyam, Kasaragod · see Theyyam's web