Labbaikudikadu

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Labbaikudikadu had a population of 11,891. Males constitute 50.2% of the population and females 49.8%.

Background:

A small peaceful town, Labbaikudikadu is famous for its culture and hospitality. It is popularly referred to as LBK or Kudikadu. Most parts of the town are noisy from around 7.00am to 6.00pm and the streets are very busy especially around the Bus Stand, because of the people coming into the town.

Most members of this community flourished in own businesses while a few others concentrated on agriculture. In the early 1980s, majority of the male population had emigrated to various parts of Gulf seeking employment opportunities. A large concentration of these families are based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With the oil boom and increasing trade in the Gulf, several members held key positions in various government and private sectors. The rising income led to huge savings that were converted as investments into properties. Today, Labbaikudikadu has turned into a dense concrete jungle with big houses and narrow lanes.

Political setup: The town is categorically divided into East Section and West Section which is respectively overseen by East Jamaat and West Jamaat. Each of these Jamaats are overseen by Chiefs known as Jamaatars and are usually chosen by the other members of the Jamaat.

Religions: Muslims form a majority (about 95%) of the population. The community becomes so alive during the two Eid festivals - Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr. There are several large masjids and some of the minarets of the masjids are so prominent that they can be visible from the main national highway (NH 45) which is about 5–6 km away. There is a communal get-together in the form of Aatu Nombu that is held prior to the Eids. It is a festive moment wherein young men, women and children gather to meet on the dry riverbed, to enjoy home-made snacks and enjoy small rides and attractions. There is also a temple for the Hindu members of the community.

Culture

There are two main holidays in Islam: Eid Al-Fitr, Ramadan and Eid Al-Adha. Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan (a month of fasting), and Muslims usually give zakat (charity) on the occasion. Eid Al-Adha is celebrated at the end of Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), which is one of the five pillars, and Muslims usually sacrifice an animal and distribute its meat among family, friends and the poor. All Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar, and thus move each year relative to the solar calendar. The Islamic calendar has 12 months and 354 days on a regular year, and 355 days on a leap year.