The contribution of these ballads was a vital factor in the growth of a collective consciousness of a heroic tradition amongst the Mappilas. After almost every uprising of the 19th and 20th centuries, songs eulogizing the heroism of the participants and idealizing their sacrifice were composed and propagated by Mappila bands which went around the countryside singing them. Ballads were also popularized through group singing at social and domestic functions. These war songs often contained vivid descriptions of carnal pleasures of paradise awaiting the "martyrs". Prior to the launch of an attack, the rebels in aspiration of "martyrdom" used to recite the "Mala pattu" alongside other preparations.