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Scheduled Tribes of Kerala

1. Adiyan

District: Wayanad

Taluka: Mananthavadi

Villages or Gram Panchayats or

Settlements:

Thirunelly, Mananthavady,

Panamaram and Pulpally

Population*: 11196

Adiyan literally means ‘slave or serf’ in Malayalam. The community call

themselves as ‘Ravulavar’. About 99.80% of the Adiyan population is settled in

Wayanad District alone with only a few families / individuals having moved to

Kottayam, Idukki, Kozhikode and Eranakulam Districts. The Adiyans are

bilingual. They speak a dialect of Kannada known as ‘Adiyabhasha’.

The Adiyans worked as bonded labour until the enforcement of the Abolition of

Bonded Labour Act of 1976. They are now marginal agriculturists and the

majority migrate to Karnataka to work as agricultural labourers.

The community is divided into a number of clans called ‘Mantu’ or

‘Chemmam’ and the clan head is known as ‘Chemmakkaran’. The children take

their mother’s clan. ‘Chemmakkaran’ regulates the life cycle rites of the clan.

The hamlets are uniethinic and the head is known as ‘Kuntumoopan’ who

settles disputes among members. The religious rites are officiated by

‘Kannaladi’. The ‘Nadumoopan’ or ‘Peruman’ controls the regional affairs of

the community.

‘Gaddika’ is a famous art form of Adiyan community.

2. Aranda

District: Malappuram

Taluka: Nilambur


Settlements:

Muthedam, Vazhikkadavu, Edakkara,

Pothukallu in Nilambur Block

Panchayat, Amarambalam, Karulai,

Kalikavu and Chokkad in Kalikave

Block Panchayat

Population*:

The Aranadan community resides solely in the Nilambur forests of Malappuram

District. The community name is derived from two local terms,‘Aravam’ means

snake and ‘Nadan’ means countrymen. Numerically one of the smaller tribal

communities of Kerala, they speak a language that is a mixture of Malayalam,

Tamil and Tulu.

Aranadans are endogamous with subdivisions called ‘Villa' (clan). Each

settlement has a headman called ‘Chemmakkaran’ who settles disputes and

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officiates in the rituals connected with their life cycle. ‘Kalladikaran’ acts as the

priest cum healer.

Believed to be the original inhabitants of the erstwhile Eranad Taluk of

Malappuram District, the Aranadans were expert hunters and food gatherers

with little interest in agriculture and cattle rearing. They used to hunt pythons

and extract oil, which was used as a remedy for leprosy. They also collect minor

forest produces.

Backward in both social and economic terms, deforestation and the strict

enforcement of Forest Laws now threatened their livelihood pattern.

3. Cholanaickan

District: Wayanad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Amarambalam, Karulari and

Vazhikkadavu

Population*:

The Cholanaickans reside only in the hills of Karulai and Vazhikkadavu forest

ranges of Nilambur Valley of Malappuram District. They have been

geographically isolated and continue to live within a dense tropical rain forest

environment. ‘Chola’ means shade and ‘Naickan’ or ‘Nayakan’ denotes leader.

They speak a dialect of their own having a mixture of Kannada and Malayalam.

The community inhabits ten hamlets located deep within the forest. A hamlet is

called ‘Jemmom’ and each ‘Jemmom’ has a leader called ‘Jemmakkaran’ who

performs both socio political and religious functions. The families associated

with each Jemmom do not trespass the rights of other Jemmoms. They practise

Jemmom exogamy.

Among the Scheduled Tribes of Kerala, the Cholanaickans are the community

who depend solely on non-timber forest produce, both as a source of food, and

income through sales to other communities. They spend most of their forest life

in natural rock shelters.

4. Eravallan

District: Palakkad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Muthalamada , Perumatty, and

Kozhinjampara

Population*:

The Eravallans were also known as ‘Villu Vedan’, which means hunters who

use bows and arrows. In early Dravidian Language ‘Eravan’ is a term related to

agricultural serfs. Eravallans are landless agricultural labourers were previously

attached to the local landlords. Over time, the institution of the headman is

called ‘Talaivan’ lost relevance and the ‘Pujari’ (priest) now performs the duties

of headman.

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Eravallansare experts in ploughing dry lands for the cultivation of various crops.

They speak a crude dialect of Tamil along with Malayalam. Caste

discrimination is common in their region of settlement.

5. Hill Pulaya

District: Idukki

Taluka: Devikulam


Settlements:

Kanthallur, Marayur

Population*:

Hill Pulayas are early immigrants to Kerala from Tamil Nadu. They are divided

into three endogamous sects, viz; Kurumba Pulayan, Karavazhi Pulayan and

Pamba Pulayan. Kurumba Pulyans consider themselves superior in social status

to the other two sects and the settlements of these three groups are separate.

Kurumba Pulayans reside only in the ‘Anchunad’ area of Devikulam Taluk of

Idukki District. Kurumba Pulayans live in forest areas while the Karavazhi

Pulayans are found in plain areas of Marayur and Kanthallur Grama Panchayats.

Pamba Pulayans reside in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary area in Idukki District.

All of them speak a dialect of Tamil with a few Malayalam words.

Kurumba Pulayan community has their headman called ‘Arasan’. The headman

of Karavazhi Pulayan is ‘Kudumban’. He has assistants and executives known

as ‘Varijan’ and ‘Kolkkaran’ respectively.

Kurumba Pulayan were food gatherers and hunters who practised slash and burn

cultivation. They cultivate lemon grass and extract oil besides being experts in

sheep rearing. Karavazhi Pulayans are landless agricultural serfs. They believe

that dancing pleases the Gods and today they perform their folk songs and

dances in national forums. Currently these two sections are engaged in casual

labour.

6. Irular

District: Palakkad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Agali, Sholayur and Pudur

Population*:

The Irular community reside mainly in Kerala's Palakkad District, particularly

the Attappady region and in Tamil Nadu. They speak ‘Irula bhasha’, which is a

dialect with affinity to Tamil. Their traditional social organisation includes

various functionaries, namely; ‘Ooru Moopan’ (Chieftain),‘Bhandari’

(Treasurer), ‘Kuruthala’ (assistant to Chieftain) ‘Mannukaran’ (soil expert),

‘Marunnukaran’ (healer) etc. These positions are hereditary, with son taking

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over from father and play a important role in the social organization of the Irular

community.

Earlier the Irular were hunters, gatherers and shifting cultivators. Today, they

practise settled agriculture and work as agricultural labourers. Attappady falls

under rain shadow region and they undertake dry farming of ‘Ragi’, ‘Chama’,

‘Thina’, ‘Cholam’, ‘Thuvara’, ‘Kadala’ etc. erecting temporary huts close to the

fields during the cultivation season. Irular songs and dances speak about the

forest, cultivation and emotions.

They community has been empowered by the activities of the ‘Thaikula

Sangham’, exclusively for women and ‘Ooruvikasana Samithi’ organised under

the Attappady Hills Area Development Society. However, their livelihood has

been affected due to the influx of non tribal population into the region from both

Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

7. Kadar

District: Wayanad, Kozhikode

Taluka: Manathavadi (of Wayanad)


Settlements:

Thariyode , Vellamunda, Thondarnad

,Edavaka , Pozhuthana and

Padinjarethara

Population*:

The Wayanad Kadar community is a new addition to the list of Scheduled

Tribes following the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders

(Amendment) Act, 2002 (Act 10 of 2003). The community resides in Wayanad

District with a few families settled in Kozhikode District. The Wayanad Kadars

are marginal farmers and agricultural workers. Being a small community they

are yet to shape their future development vision.

8. Kanikkaran

District: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam

Taluka:


Settlements:

Vithura, Peringammala, Tholikkod,

Pangode, Amboori and Kulathupuzha

Population*:

Kanikkar reside mainly in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam Districts and in the

adjoining regions of Tamil Nadu. They were said to have been named

‘Kanikkar’ by the Sage Agastya, signifying ‘hereditary proprietor of the land’.

‘Kani’ means land and ‘Karan’ means owner. Their spoken language is a

mixture of both Malayalam and Tamil. The Kanikkar historically pledged

allegiance to the Travancore Kingdom and they visited the Raja annually to

present hill produces and in turn receive gifts.

The ‘Kanikudi’ or ‘Kanipat’ (settlement) is the basic unit of social, economic,

political and religious organisation for the Kanikkar. Each ‘Kanipat’ is headed

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by a ‘Muttukani’ (headman) who enjoys great powers. The ‘Vilikani’

(Convener) is the headman’s assistant and in some areas the headman is known

as ‘Muthalpat’. The ‘Plathy’, next in hierarchy, is the magician cum medicine

man.

Earlier the community subsisted on hunting, minor forest produce collection

and cultivation. Now they practise settled agriculture, cultivating of rice and

tapioca along with cash crops like arecanut, pepper, ginger, turmeric, cashew

etc.

The ‘Agasthyakoodam’ peak that falls within their lands is a bio diverse region

with several medicinal herbs and plants. The community's traditional

knowledge system is noteworthy for its identification of appropriate herbs for

curing almost all diseases.

Kanikkar living in the plain areas along with other communities have improved

much in their lifestyle while those living in the interior forests called

‘Malamkanis’ are still deprived of the basic amenities of life.

9. Karimpalan

District: Kozhikode, Kannur Wayanad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Naduvil, Udayagiri, Alakode and

Ulikkal

Population*:

The Karimpalans reside in Kozhikode, Kannur and Wayanad Districts. The

name appears to have originated from their occupation of collecting ‘Kari’

(Charcoal). Karimpalan were listed as Scheduled Castes but have been included

in the list of Scheduled Tribes in 2003.

The institution of the headman called ‘Karnavar’ has weakened with time,

however the clan organisation of Karimpalan is known as ‘Taravadis’ continues

to regulate marriages in the community.

Traditionally the Karimpalans were shifting cultivators who also engaged in

making baskets and worked as labourers in plantations for felling trees and

collecting timber, bamboo and fire wood. Today, they are settled agriculturalist

and may work as agricultural labourers. The younger generation is eager to

acquire new skills and seek better employment.

10. Kattunayakan

District: Malappuram, Palakkad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Thirunelli, Noolpuzha, Poothadi,

Mullamkolly and Pulpally

Population*: 17051

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The Kattunayakans are the largest PVTG community of Kerala. They are settled

in Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad districts of Kerala and in

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Their population is mainly concentrated in

Wayanad. The term Kattunakayan is derived from the words ‘Kattu’ (forest)

and ‘Nayakan’ or ‘naickan’(lord). Thus Kattunayakan literally means lord of

forests. The community is also referred to as Jenu Kurumban or Ten Kurumban.

The headman is called ‘Muthan’ or ‘Muthali’ and also officiates as the priest.

The Kattunayakans a dialect of Kannada and can converse in Malayalam.

Originally forest dwellers they excelled as mahouts and in capture of wild

elephants. They are also skilled honey collectors. Living mainly as hunters and

food gatherers, the community sporadically engaged in shifting cultivation

around their settlements. They continue to subsist on non-timber forest produce

collection.

The community has taken advantage of education and the implementation of

development programmes to improve their quality of life.

11. Kochuvelan

District: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki,

Ernakulam

Taluka:


Settlements:

Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki,

Ernakulam

Population*:

Kochu Velan is a locally known term used to refer to the Ulladans (sometimes

as the name of their headman) living in the eastern areas of Pathanamthitta

District. ‘Ullu’ means forest areas and ‘Aliyavar’ means those who ruled. It is

believed that their original settlements were in forest areas where they lived a

semi nomadic existence. Later on they came down and settled in plain areas too.

Their traditional dialect is almost not in use and they now speak Malayalam.

The headman of Ulladan community is known as ‘Kanikaran’ and he presides

over the council of elders. The community collects medicinal herbs and sells

these in local markets. They have the right to enter even the sacred groves for

the collection of medicinal plants.

The Ulladans living on the banks of Western Kuttanad backwaters are good

carpenters and are known for their expertise in canoe making. They have

become woodcutters and also subsist on non-timber forest produce especially

honey collection. Today a major of them are agricultural labourers. Ulladans

who are settled in urban and semi-urban plain areas have responded to

development and progressed in their own way.

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12. Koraga

District: Kasargod

Taluka:


Settlements:

Panoor

Population*:

Koragas reside only in Kasargod District and in the adjoining area of Karnataka

State. Ninety Families living in Pavoor Colony having an extent of 311 acres of

land at Manjeswaram, had embraced Christianity in 1913. They had a glorious

history of with a Koraga region being formed under Hubashika Raja, but later

on their rulers enslaved them. ‘Kora’ means sun and it is said that they worship

sun and hence the term ‘Koraga’ originated from it. They speak Tulu and live in

‘Mathadi’(settlements). The headman is known as ‘Koppu’ or ‘Guru Kara’ and

controls the social and cultural practices. They had also a council of elders for

decision-making and awarding punishments.

Koragas were treated as bonded slaves and were sold along with the land by

their respective masters. They are experts in basketry making winnowing fans,

cradles and baskets. They collect bamboos, canes and creepers from the nearby

forests. Currently the community faces severe health problems and requires

sustained effort for economic upliftment and bridging disparities in their social

position.

13. Kudiya

District: Kasargod

Taluka:


Settlements:

Paivelika , Puthige, Panathady ,

Enmakaje , Vorkadi , Meencha, Belur

Population*:

Kudiya and Melakudi reside only in Kasaragod District and in the South

Karnataka. Those members of the community who live in the lowlands are

called Kudiya and highlanders are the Melakudi. They speak Tulu. A council of

elders is led by the headman is called ‘Gurikara’ or ‘Malemudiya’. The council

is responsible for maintaining social order. Religious functions are officiated by

a ‘Purohit’ (priest). Traditionally, they were hunters and gatherers who over the

course of time became marginal farmers. Today, they rear pigs, poultry and

cattle, work as agricultural labourers and make baskets. With a population of

only 911 individuals, development plans for this community take the form of

family based projects. In remote and isolated the development of infrastructural

facilities particularly still needs to be undertaken.

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14. Kurichchan

District: Wayanad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Population*: 25266

The Kurichiyans are divided into four groups, namely; ‘Jati’ Kurichiyans of

Wayanad, ‘Kunnam’ Kurichiyans of Kannur, ‘Anchilla’ Kurichiyans of

Tirunelli and ‘Pathiri’(priest) Kurichiyans who embraced Christianity in 1908-

1910. They speak the North Malabar dialect of Malayalam, but the elders of the

community still keep their own dialect alive.

A Kurichiyan leader, Thalakkal Chandhu is recorded to have fought along with

Pazhassi Raja against the British between 1802 and 1805. This was followed by

the Kurichiya rebellion of 1812, an organised and brave fight by the community

against the policies of British.

The Kurichiyans of Wayanad follow joint family system called ‘Mittom’

consisting of 30 to 100 or more members. The elder male in a mittom is called

‘Poopan’ and his wife is known as ‘Poopathi’. Their territorial head is called

‘Nadu Moopan’. They still adhere to then customary laws and practices. The

younger generation are now moving towards the nuclear family system.

The Kurichiyans are rated as the best paddy cultivators among the Scheduled

Tribes of Kerala and cultivate many species of rice. They also cultivate ragi,

coffee, pepper, arecanut etc. Both men and women participate in agricultural

activities irrespective of their age. They are also adept in identifying medicinal

plants for curing certain diseases.

15. Kurumans

District: Wayanad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Meenangadi,Noolpuzha, Nenmeni,

Poothadi, Ambalavayal, Pulpally,

Kaniyambetta and Sulthanbathery

Population*: 20983

Mullu Kuruman, Mulla Kuruman and Mala Kuruman refer to a single

ethnographic community called Mulla Kuruman. They reside mainly in

Wayanad District and in the adjoining areas of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It is

believed that they are the original inhabitants of Wayanad and descendants of

Veda Kings who originally ruled there. The older generation speak the

traditional dialect of the Kuruman and new generation has switched over to

Malayalam.

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Mulla Kuruman settlements are known as ‘Kudi’. Each settlement has a

‘Porunnavan’, or headman who controls the traditional social organisation and a

‘Porathavan’ and a few others assist him. A common headman controls a group

of nearby settlements and above all there is a chief headman called

‘Nadukarnavan’. Their traditional political organisation was so strong that the

community once had fortified centres and ramparts protecting their lands.

16. Kurumbas

District: Palakkad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Agali, Pudur

Population*:

The Kurumbar are considered to be the earliest inhabitants of Attappady valley,

and were once hunter-gatherers and shifting cultivators. They are also called

‘Palu Kurumba’ to distinguish them from the ‘Alu Kurumba’ of Nilgiris in

Tamil Nadu. The language spoken by them is a mixture of Tamil and

Malayalam.

The traditional social organisation of Kurumbar is similar to that of Mudugar

and Irular communities residing in that area. The community mostly lives in

Reserve and Vested Forest areas where they practise shifting cultivation called

‘Panja Krishi’. They cultivate ragi, thuvara, chama etc. They are experts in

cattle rearing and also collected non timber forest produce. Their community

life is rooted in sharing land and labour.

One of the five PVTGs of Kerala, the Kurumba community is settled today in

Agali and Pudur Grama Panchayats of Attappady Block of Palakkad District.

The current generation of the community has shown interest in organising the

community and getting educated.

17. Mahamalasar

District: Palakkad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Muthalamada

Population*:

The Maha Malasar live in inaccessible high forests of Palakkad District, and are

numerically the smallest Scheduled Tribe of Kerala. There are only 40 families

of Maha Malasar community and they are settled in Muthalamada Grama

Panchayat, Palakkad District. Members of the community also reside in the

Anamalai Hills of Tamil Nadu. They speak a dialect of Tamil and the post of

village headman or ‘Moopan’ is hereditary. Their major economic activities

include forest gathering and the collection of non timber forest produce which

are exchanged with petty traders from the plains for food grains, cloths etc. The

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existing forest laws and menace of the wild animals prevent them from taking

up any type of cultivation.

18. Mala Vettuvan

District: Kasaragod and Kannur

Taluka:


Settlements:

Kuttikol, Balal, Kallar, Kodombelur,

East Eleri, West Eleri and Kinanoor

Karinthalam (Kasargode)

Population*:

The Malavettuvan community was classified as an Other Eligible Community

(OEC) till the Amendment (Act 10 of 2003), when they were listed as a

Scheduled Tribe of Kerala. They inhabit the Ghats areas of Kasaragod and

Kannur Districts and speak a dialect of Malayalam and Tulu. The headman of

Malavettuvans was called ‘Kiran’ and according to their traditions, the

landlords appointed him. The ‘Kiran’ took orders from the landlord and

supplied manual workers to the. The relevance of ‘Kiran’ is no more there and

each settlement has a leader known in common term as ‘Moopan’. Traditionally

Malavettuvans are experts in ‘Punamkothu’. Now they subsist mainly on

agriculture labour. The region they inhabit lacks many facilities, but the

community is organized and responds to social, economic and educational

development initiatives.

19. Malai Arayan

District: Kottayam, Idukki

Taluka: Meenachi (Kottayam), Thodupuzha

(Idukki)


Settlements:

Melukavu , Moonnilavu,

Mundakkayam , Koruthodu and

Erumeli Grama Panchayaths of

Kottayam and Velliyamattom,

Arakkulam, Udumbannur and

Vannappuram, Adimali,Kanjikuzhy,

Muttom and Kokkayar, in Idukki

District Ranni Perunad (Pathanamthitta

District),Thalanad (Kottayam District),

and Kuttampuzha (Eranakulam

District)

Population*:

Mala Arayans, are mainly distributed in Meenachil Taluk of Kottayam District

and Thodupuzha Taluk of Idukki District. They have migrated and formed a

few settlements in the districts of Eranakulam, Pathanamthitta,

Thiruvananthapuram and Wayanad. This is the first Scheduled Tribe

community in Kerala to embrace Christianity with the first conversions dating

to 1853. 30% of the community is today Christian. The missionaries started

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vernacular schools and as a result the community has progressed. They speak

Malayalam although they had a dialect of their own which became obsolete.

Historically, the Poonjar Raja had suzerainty over the Malayarayar people

residing in his jurisdiction. The Raja used to confer a title to the Malai Arayans

called ‘Ponamban’ and a silver headed cane. The subjects paid a nominal tax. A

council of elders maintained social control within the community.

Mala Arayans today have become settled agriculturists and sizable portions of

their land holdings have been turned into rubber plantations or other

commercial crops.

20. Malai Pandaran

District: Kollam, Pathanamthitta

Taluka:


Settlements:

Piravanthur and Ariankavu Grama

Panchayats in Kollam District and

Ranni Perunad, Seethathodu and

Aruvappulam Grama Panchayats in

Pathanamthitta District

Population*:

Malai Pandarams inhabit the eastern hill areas of Kollam and Pathanamthitta

Districts. They speak a dialect that has many Tamil and Malayalam phrases.

The social organisation of Malai Pandaram is typical that of a territorial

nomadic forest dwelling community. The community moves from on to another

in search of non-timber forest produces.

The area wise grouping of territory followed by the community is called

‘Koottam’. The headman is known as ‘Muttukani’ and acts as the ritual head

also. In the erstwhile Travancore area, Malai Pandarams collected non-timber

forest produces for themselves and to sell to other communities and contacted

country traders for bartering hill produces to obtain essentials. Even today they

depend on forest produce for their livelihood. The community requires specific

initiatives for improvement of their livelihood, as they are yet to become

literate.

21. Malai Vedan

District: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam , Kollam

and Idukki

Taluka:


Settlements:

Naranammuzhi Grama Panchayat in

Pathanamthitta District, Piravanthur,

Thenmala (Kollam District),

Pramadom (Pathanamthitta District),

Erumeli and Manimala (Kottayam

District)

Population*:

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Malavedans reside in the districts of Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam with

scattered groups living in the neighbouring areas. They are considered to belong

to a ‘Pre-Dravidian Race’ and speak a dialect that is a mix of Tamil and

Malayalam. Socially, they are divided into five endogamous sub-divisions,

‘Tolvedans’, ‘Cheenkannivedans’, ‘Cheruvedans’, ‘Elichathvedans’ and

‘Valiyavedans’. Traditionally the village headman also acts as the medicine

man.

Malavedans who subsisted on food gathering and hunting have now turned as

manual labourers. Both men and women are adept in collection of medicinal

herbs. The community has lost nearly all of their traditional resources and is

heavily dependent upon external support. An integrated rehabilitation measure

with proper extension work is needed to build up a first generation of

development-oriented persons among them.

22. Malakkuravan

No Data

23. Malapanickar

District: Malappuram

Taluka:


Settlements:

Population*:

The Malaipanicker community, numbering less than 1000 indivuduals lives in

Malappuram District and recieved constitutional recognition in 2003. They

speak Malayalam retaining certain variations of their own language. The head

of the family called ‘Karnavar’ maintains social control. The community were

originally shifting cultivators, tilling the land owned by the Nilambur

‘Kovilakom’. Today, they have become marginal farmers and agricultural

labourers.

24. Malasar

District: Palakkad

Taluka: Chittur


Settlements:

Eruthempathy, Kozhinjampara,

Perumatty, Vadakarapathy,

Muthalamada, Nelliampathy and

Pudusseri

Population*:

The Malasar community are distributed both in the plains and valleys of Chittur

Taluk of Palakkad District and in the adjoining areas of Tamil Nadu. They

speak Tamil and live in settlements called ‘Pathi’. A headman called ‘Moopan’

who is assisted by a few others heads each ‘Pathi’. They have lost their access

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to the region's natural resources and now depend upon manual labour to eke out

their living.

25. Malayan

District: Eranakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Pananchery Grama Panchayat in

Thrissur District has the largest

representation of Malayan community

among 33 Grama Panchayats which

have population of the community.

Vengur (Eranakulam District),

Pazhayannur, Puthur, Varandarappilly

and Athirappilly (Thrissur District),

Ayiloor and Kizhakkanchery

(Palakkad District) are the other

Grama Panchayats

Population*:

Malayan, Nattu Malayan, Konga Malayan (excluding the areas comprising

Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad and Kozhikode Districts) are recognised as

Scheduled Tribes have two sub divisions, viz; ‘Nattu Malayan’ who are the

original inhabitants in the hill areas of Kerala and ‘Konga Malayan’ who

appears to have migrated from the forests of Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu.

There is another distinct community with the same spelling, classified under the

list of Scheduled Castes and the area restriction is imposed to distinguish these

two communities.

The ‘Nattu Malayans’ have a dialect of their own while the ‘Konga Malayan’

speak a mixture of Tamil and Malayalam. Both groups have a headman in every

settlement called ‘Elumoopan’ who is assisted by a ‘Kaikaran.’ The primary

occupation of Malayan community is forest labour and collection of non-timber

forest produce. They are efficient in cutting bamboo and reeds and are also

agriculturists. Prevailing Forest Laws have restricted their cultivation activities

and they are now striving to get their traditional rights through the fair

implementation of Forest Rights Act, 2006. The irrigation projects like Peechi

and Chimminy have also affected them.

26. Malayarayar

No Data

27. Mannan

District: Idukki

Taluka:


Settlements:

Adimaly, Mankulam, Udumbanchola,

Vazhathope, Kanchiyar and Kumily

Population*: 9064

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The Mannan community is believed to have migrated to Idukki from Madurai in

Tamil Nadu. Their language is a mixture of Tamil and Malayalam. Among the

Scheduled Tribe communities of Kerala, Mannan is the only community headed

by a Raja, called ‘Kozhimala Raja Mannan’ whose word is considered final in

their society. There is a ‘Mantri‘ (Minister) working under the Raja Mannan.

Each settlement has a headman called ‘Kanikaran’. In the past the Poonjar Raja

conferred certain privileges to the Mannan community like acting as agents for

management of the jurisdiction and collection of taxes.

Earlier the Mannan were nomadic agriculturists and practised shifting

cultivation. Now they have become settled agriculturists and supplement their

income through the collection of non-timber forest produce. They are also

associated with the activities of the Eco Development Committees and

Vanasamrakshna Samithis. Education and human resources development are

essesntial to the community's future development.

28. Mavilan

District: Kannur, Kasargod

Taluka:


Settlements:

Madikkai, Pullur Periya, Kuttikol,

Bedaduka, Balal, Kallar, Kodombelur,

Panathady, West Eleri and Kinanoor-

Karinthalam (all in Kasaragod

District)

Population*:

The Mavilan community lives only in Kasaragod and Kannur Districts. There

are a number of versions regarding the etymology of the term Mavilan. Some

experts say that they used ‘Mavila’, i.e.; leaves of the mango tree to cover their

body. Others are of the opinion that ‘Mavila’ is medicinal herb used by the

community, and some sources point to ‘Malayilae Velan’ (Forest Velan)

coming to be known as Mavilan.

The community speak Tulu and have a good working knowledge of Malayalam.

Earlier the headman, known as ‘Kiran’ was appointed by the landlord to control

the work force and settle disputes. Now ‘Taravad karnavar’ acts as the headman

and also officiates the religious rites and rituals. The Mavilan were experts in

‘Punam Kothu’ or the clearing of virgin forests and converting the same for

wetland paddy cultivation. They also practiced shifting cultivation. Today,

while collecting medicinal herbs, non timber forest produces and bamboo and

basked making provide many with employment the overwhelming majority of

Mavilan subsist on agricultural labour. A few of them are marginal farmers

while some switched over to non-agricultural labour.

The Mavilan community had been listed under the category of Scheduled

Castes till 2002. Their cultural identity and political awareness has led to the

formation of organisations within the community for empowerpment and they

are ready to adopt innovations brought through planned development.

15

29. Mudugar

District: Palakkad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Agali, Pudur

Population*:

The Mudugar are one of the three communities residing in the Attappady region

of Palakkad district. They hold the traditional right to climb the Malleeswaran

Peak and light the lamp on ‘Sivaratri’. The community speak a dialect called

‘Muduga Bhasha’. The community institutions of ‘Ooru Moopan’, (Headman)

‘Bhandari’ (Treasurer), ‘Kuruthalai’ (Assistant) and ‘Mannukaran’ (soil expert)

are similar to their neighbours the Irular and Kurumbar.

Mudugar practise settled agriculture with many features of shifting cultivation.

They used to cultivate ‘ragi’, ‘chama’, ‘thina’ and collect non timber forest

produces. Today, their land has been alienated, as they have been unable to

secure documents relating to land ownership. The working population among

them has become agricultural labourers with marginal agriculture and animal

husbandry as subsidiary occupations. The community is pro-education and

better inputs to agriculture can help strengthen them economically.

30. Muthuvan

District: Idukki

Taluka: Devikulam


Settlements:

Population*:

The Muthuvan community is mainly concentrated in Idukki District and its

contiguous hill areas of Eranakulam and Thrissur. They are distinct from the

Mudugar community found exclusively in Attappady area of Palakkad District.

The term ‘Muduvan’ is considered to be a synonym of ‘Muthuvan’. However,

the Muthuvan community found on the eastern side of Malappuram and

Kozhikode districts has no connection with the Muthuvans of Idukki District.

Muthuvan of Idukki, Eranakulam and Thrissur districts came from the erstwhile

parts of Pandya Kingdom in Tamil Nadu. Etymologically, it is said that ‘Muthu’

means back and ‘van’ means one who carries weight on the back. The dialect

spoken by them is closely related to Tamil. The social organisation of

Muthuvan community is unique and they have ‘Chavadis’ (dormitories) system

in every settlement to house both boys and girls separately. The headman called

‘Moopan’ holds supreme control of the community and presides over the

council of elders. In some areas a ‘Kani’ is nominated to deal with outside

officials. Muthuvans are known for their organic cultivation of ragi and paddy.

They shift their cultivation site every two years. They also grow wild varieties

of cardamom and pepper.

16

The traditional value system of purity and pollution ideas prevalent among the

Muthuvans distanced them from other communities, and prevented their women

from attaining formal education. These women now face several health

problems and holistic development projects are needed to improve the

community’s living conditions. There is also scope for promoting organic

cultivation in their areas.

Muthuvan of Malappuram and Kozhikode districts reside in the eastern side of

Chaliyar River. They original dialect has given way to Malayalam. The

headman controls the affairs of the community. Traditionally they were

cultivators and collected forest produce. Today, they subsist on agriculture

labour, forest labour and agriculture. Geographical isolation has affected their

educational development. Agriculture based schemes need to be revived for the

community to attain sustainable development in future.

31. Palleyan

District: Idukki

Taluka: Kattappana


Settlements:

Puliyanmala

Population*: 4879

Settled in Idukki District and in the adjoining areas of Tamil Nadu, the Palleyan

speak a dialect that has an affinity to Tamil. Each settlement has a headman

called ‘Kanikaran’. This system of traditional headman has given way to a

commonly accepted or sometimes elected president (Oorumoopan). In the past,

Paliyans were nomadic in their territorial area and practised shifting cultivation.

Few of them had land to cultivate. Today, th emajority of Paliyans has become

plantation labourers in various tea estates of Idukki District. Community

specific programmes can address their low standard of living.

32. Paniyan

District: Wayanad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Mananthavadi, Vythiri,

Bathery,Thondarnad, Kalpetta,

Panamaram, Kottathra, Periya,

Edavaka

Population*: 69116

The Paniyan community is numerically the largest among the Scheduled Tribes

of Kerala. Settled mainly in Wayanad District, they also reside in smaller

numbers in Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad districts. The

Paniyan community living in the adjoining areas of Tamil Nadu is recognized as

a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG).

17

Etymologically ‘Pani’ means labour and ‘Paniyan’ signifies ‘one who works’.

According to their oral tradition, they lived freely in Ippimala, a mountain near

Banasura Peak in Wayanad and were enslaved by the farming immigrants. They

speak a language of Malayalam mixed with Tamil words, which is called

‘Paniyabhasha’.

The headman of each settlement is called ‘Kuttan’ and is appointed by the

landlord. A group of traditional areas called ‘Nadu’ had a hereditary headman

called ‘Koyma’. Under him, there are ‘Chemmi’ the actual head of each

settlement who is assisted by messengers called ‘Karayma’.

Paniyans were treated as slaves of their respective landlords, as part of a bonded

labour system. During the festival of Valliyurkavu near Mananthavady the

contract to work as bonded labourer, was renewed annually where the landlord

paid an advance called ‘Nippu panam’.

33. Ten Kurumban

No Data

34. Thachenadan

District: Wayanad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Population*:

The Thachanadan Moopan community resides soley in Wayanad District.and

was recognized in the list of Scheduled Tribes in 2003. Originally the

community was known as ‘Koodammar’. It is said that they came from

‘Thachanadu’ area in Nilambur and hence came to be known by this name.

They speak Malayalam.

The Thachanadan Moopan have two headmen in every settlement. The senior is

called ‘Muthalai’ who settles disputes, arranges marriages and performs

oblations to male deities. ‘Eleri’ the second headman is the priest and magician

and he is the competent person to fix the date and time of marriage and to make

offerings to female deities.

The community are marginal farmers. They know carpnetry and are experts in

bamboo basket making. The use of plastic baskets have impacted this traditional

occupation.

35. Ulladan

District: All districts except Palakkad and

Kannur

Taluka:


Settlements:

Ulladan community is settled in 12

districts (except Palakkad and Kannur)

18

and in 263 local bodies in the state.

The local bodies include one

Corporation (Kochi), 17

Municipalities and 245 Grama

Panchayats.

Population*:

Kochu Velan is a locally known term used to refer to the Ulladans (sometimes

as the name of their headman) living in the eastern areas of Pathanamthitta

District. ‘Ullu’ means forest areas and ‘Aliyavar’ means those who ruled. It is

believed that their original settlements were in forest areas where they lived a

semi nomadic existence. Later on they came down and settled in plain areas too.

Their traditional dialect is almost not in use and they now speak Malayalam.

The head man of Ulladan community is known as ‘Kanikaran’ and he presides

over the council of elders. The community collects medicinal herbs and sells

these in local markets. They have the right to enter even the sacred groves for

the collection of medicinal plants.

The Ulladans living on the banks of Western Kuttanad backwaters are good

carpenters and are known for their expertise in canoe making. They have

become wood cutters and also subsist on non timber forest produce especially

honey collection. Today a major of them are agricultural labourers. Ulladans

who are settled in urban and semi-urban plain areas have responded to

development and progressed in their own way.

36. Vettakuruman

District: Wayanad

Taluka:


Settlements:

Thirunelli, Ambalavayal, Noolpuzha,

Panamaram and Poothadi

Population*: 6472

The Vetta Kuruman community was recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in 2003.

They reside only in Wayanad District and the adjoining areas of Karnataka. In

the local parlance they are known as ‘Urali Kurumans’. Prior to 2003 they were

placed under the Scheduled Tribe Uraly community of Idukki District and as

such were reported as Uraly in Census records. Their real identity has since

been recognized.

They are bilingual in Kannada and Malayalam, but prefer to use their own

dialect within the community. They have a headman called ‘Megalan’ who

presides over all their social functions like initiating marriages, negotiations,

arranging agricultural activity etc.

The Vetta Kurumans are forest dwellers. They are well known for their artistic

skill in making hand made pottery. They cut and fashion wooden artefact and

carry out carpentry work connected with the construction of their houses as

well.

19

Note:

* Population as per KILA Survey 2008

** Literacy as per KILA Survey 2008

# Census 2001 / 2011

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