Karivela (or Kari Vela) is a ritual usually seen in the Palakkad District of Kerala, India,^[1] in which many volunteers paint themselves black with charcoal (Kari in Malayalam language)^[2] and walk through the streets.

Karivela is conducted as part of festivals such as Nemmara Vela and Kuthira Vela, with the volunteers acting as guards to control festival spectators.^[2]

• Blackface