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| Wayanad,
the panoramic hill of malabar in the northern Kerala, situated
above the sea level ranges between 700 meters to 2100 meters,
is a homeland of various tribal communities. They can be prominently
classified into |
| Paniyas |
Adiyas |
Kattunayakans
|
Kurichiyans
|
Uraali
Kurumas |
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The
Paniyas
A vast majority of tribes in Kerala state hail from
the Paniya tribal sect. Paniyas inhabit in the regions
of Wayanad and the neighboring parts of Kannur and
Malappuram.
As bond labourers, the Paniyas were once sold along
with plantations by the landlords. They were also
employed as professional coffee thieves by higher
castes. The name 'Paniyaan' means 'worker' as they
were supposed to have been the workers of non - tribes.
Monogamy
appears to be the general rule among the Paniyas.
In marriage bride price is practiced like many other
tribal communities. Widow remarriage is allowed. They
do not practice pre-puberty marriage.They have only
a crude idea of religion. Their major deity, is called
'Kali'. They also worship Banyan tree. They hesitate
to cut such trees and if anyone attempts to cut such
trees, they fall sick.
Due
to the various tribal welfare programmes by the government,
a change has set in the lives of Paniyas.
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The
Adiyas
The Adiyas are known as 'Ravulayar' traditionally. The Adiya,
like the Paniya, is one of the slave sects in Kerala. In the
nuclear Adiya tribal family the husband is the head of the
house. Bride price is given to the parents of the bride by
the groom. Divorce, widow marriage etc., are permitted. Polygamy
is also practiced.
No punitive
measure (like ostracizing of the sex offender, as one can
see among Kurichias) is prevalent among the Adiyas for sex
offences. Even if their woman commits such offences they are
allowed to undergo purificatory ceremony known as 'Kalachu
Veypu' to join their community back. |
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The
Kattunayakan
The Kattunayakan community is found in Wayanad, Kozhikode
and Malappuram districts. They are also called Cholanaickan,
in the interior forests of Nilambur area of Malappuram,
and Pathinaickans, in the plains of Malappuram districts.
As
their name denote, the Kattunayakan were the kings
of the jungle regions engaged in the collection and
gathering of forest produces. They are known as Ten
Kurumar since they collect honey from the forest.
They have all the physical features of a hilltribe.
Their language is a mixture of all Dravidian languages.
They
worship animals, birds, trees, rock hillocks and snakes.
They are firm believers in black magic and sorcery.
They also worship their ancestors, along with worshipping
Hindu deities.
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The
Kurichiyans
The Kurichiyans are an agricultural tribal community. Up to
some decades ago untouchability had been fairly and widely
practiced by these tribals.
They have clean food habits and keep their houses, premises
and dress always clean. They are matrilineal and live in joint
families, under the control of their chieftain called 'Pittan'.
The members of the extended family work together and put their
earnings in the same purse. The Kurichiyans prefer cross-cousin
marriage to any other marriage alliances. They do not practice
polyandry.
Their
social control mechanism was most efficient, offenders being
excommunicated. Many of the excommunicated Kurichians are
now educationally and economically better compared to the
traditional Kurichians. |
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The
Uraali Kurumas
Uralikuruma, the most versatile and colourful tribal
people, is one of the rarest artisan tribes in Kerala.
They are mostly found in the Wayan region. Uralikuruma
is one of the three subdivisions of 'Kurumba' and
the two others being 'Mulla' & ' Jen Kuruma' tribals.
Uralikurumas
herald themselves as the followers of ancient 'Kurumba'
or 'Pallava' which were once so powerful through southern
India. Uralikurumas are also called Bet Kurumas. While
Bet Kurumas, found now in the Mysore district of Karnataka
speak Kannada, these tribals in Wayanad speak a mixture
of Kanada and Malayalam languages. Amongst the Kuruma
tribals in Wayanad The Mulla Kurumas consider themselves
superior to the other Kuruma sects.
The
Uralikurumas choose their life partners from their
tribe itself. When a person dies they believe that
the soul of the good become gods and that of the bad
become devils. They worship deities as 'Bettu Chikkamma'
and 'Bamadu' and also demons and ancestral spirits.
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They
play the flute and drum during their festival occasions
festivals. The "Uch-alkali" is played in
the month of February. Some men dance while some beat
the drums and read the flute. An old man in the group
performs rites to their deity 'Bettu Chikkamma'. Woman
are not allowed to participate in theses ceremonies.They
are also skilled potters with their women folk chiefly
involved in this task. Baskets and mats of various
types with reeds and bamboo and hand made pots are
manufactured by them. But it has been seen that the
younger generation now prefer working for non tribal
landlords in plantation and paddy fields for an earning
without much discomfort.
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The Green Paradise