Tribals of Kerala Prof. S.

Achutha Warrier

INTRO

Prof. S. Achutha Warrier is a former professor of Malayalam. This essay, provides an overview
of the tribal life and culture in Kerala. The general attitude of Indians to adivasis and their lives is
inherited from the colonial masters. The Europeans considered the tribals as savages and
uncivilised

SHORT ANSWER

I. In which present-day districts were the weapons of the Neolithic age (New Stone Age) found"

The weapons of the Neolithic age were found in the present-day districts of
Kozhikode and Ernakulam

2. Where can we see the largest adivasi settlements in Kerala?

We can see the largest adivasi settlements in Wayanad in Kerala.

3. What is known as kudippaka?

Kudippaka is community feud. It means if a member of a community is attacked by a member of

another community, the entire community will avenge him/her. It was considered a primary
social responsibility of the community.

4. Which of the tribes is the most backward?

The Paniyar tribe is the most backward among the adivasis of Kerala

5. In what way is matrilineal system associated with agriculture?

Women were largely engaged in agriculture and related labour in those days. So, the tribes
which were into farming followed matrilineal tradition. The Pulayat, Parayar, Kunikat and
Malambundarans of erstwhile Travancore and Kurichiyar of Malabar followed. matrilineal
tradition.

PARAGRAPH

1. Australoids and Dravidians

Australoid is a major division of humankind, according to archaeologists Majority of Indian tribes
including that of South India are Australoid. The Adivasi tribes of Kerala have striking similarities
with the tribes in Australia and Ceylon. It shows a common origin. The physical features of the
Kerala tribes - round face, curly and silky hair, fat and swollen nose, dark complexion - are
similar to the Australoid. Linguistically, the tribals in Kerala belong to the Dravidian family. Some
speak a mixture of Malayalam-Kannada, some others a mixture of Malayalam and Tamil, while
a few others speak Malayalam with dialectical peculiarities.

2. Rituals of the tribes of Kerala

Kerala tribuls have their own rituals. They worship Kali, Hill Gods and Muthappan, besides other
natural forces. Muthappan is a representative of the ancestors of the community. Kali worship is
part of the gothra culture Kali has different manifestations such as Rakta Kali, Mahakali,
Chamundy and Raktha Chamundy Kali's anger is believed to cause natural calamities like flood,
drought and epidemics. Offerings of milk, blood and alcohol ure believed to make Kali happy.
Worshipping the dead is common. Adivasis bury their dead along with the materials used by
them. Some tribes also leave memory stones at the burial site.

ESSAY 1

1. Trace the origin and growth of tribals in Kerala.

The essay. "Tribals of Kerala" by Prof S. Achutha Warrier provides an overview of the tribal

life and culture in Kerala. It also traces the origin and growth of tribals in Kerala. The remains of
the Paleolithic age (Old Stone Age) were found at various places in South India, but not in
Kerala. However, weapons of the Neolithic age (New Stone Age) were found in Kozhikode and
Ernakulam districts. So, it is believed that people began living here around 4000 years ago..

The most backward tribals in India live in the south, including Kerala. As per archaeological
studies, a majority of the Indian tribals belong to the Australoid division of humankind. Adivasi
tribes of Kerala have striking similarities with the tribes in Australia and Ceylon. The physical
features of the Kerala tribes round face, curly and silky hair, fat and swollen nose, dark
complexion - are like those of the Australoid.

Kerala has more than 20 tribal communities. Most of them live in Wayanad,Attappadi,
Devikulam, Peerumedu and Udumbanchola Paniyar, Kurichiyar and Irular are the majority.
Paniyar is the most backward. Kurichiyars are seen in Wayanad. Because of their skills in
archery, they were the soldiers of Pazhassi Raja in the war against the British.. In tribal
population, Attupadi comes second after Wayanad. Here the largest community is Inular.
Kanikkar tribe lived in caves and tree houses till the last century. They lived on fruits, tubers,
forest resources and animals hunted by them. This is how the essay traces the origin and
growth of tribals in Kerala
ESSAY 2

2. Social life of the tribal communities in Kerala. OR [Reffect on the lifestyle of early tribal people
of Kerala.]

The essay, "Tribuls of Kerala" by Prof. S. Achuthu Warrier provides an overview of the tribal life
and culture in Kerala. It also discusses the social life of the tribal communities. It also discusses
the life style of the tribal communities]

In Kerala, the tribals live in communities called gothrams Gothrams join together to form
Ganam. Each Ganam has a unique symbol that ensures its social unity. The symbol can be a
tree or animal. Neem, kadamba, fish and bow are examples. The places to gather food by
fishing and hunting and the food thus gathered are the common property of the gana However,
ornaments, utensils and weapons are of private ownership.

Blood relations and descent determined the rights and duties of each member of the group.
There were two types of descent - patrilineal and matrilineal. Since women mostly did

agricultural labour, the farming communities followed matrilineal tradition. Cattle growing tribes
followed patrilineal tradition. Property is transferred to those who had the right to perform the
after-death rituals of the elder. Marriages between the children of sisters and brothers
(murappennu and muracherukkan) are common. Kudippaka which is the community feud was
common among tribes. If a member of a community is attacked by a member of another
community, the entire community will avenge him/her. It was considered a primary social
responsibility of the community. The famous "vadakkan pattukal" are heroic stories of these
fights between the groups. Each gothram has a leader. The leader plays the mediator of any
internal conflicts and decides the penalties for violating rules.

This is how the essay traces the social life of the tribal communities in Kerala. [This is how the
essay traces the life style of the early tribal people of Kerala.]