Southindia is called as Deccan plateau, derived from Carnatic world Karnad meaning high country. Their history dates from 8000BCE, where evidences of many artefacts, were found. Tribes were known as adivasis who have unique way of living, culture and lifestyle, that they had been inhabitants for centuries in four states of south India. Each state has different tribes, who are not only special people but indigeneous people by the way of their living.
TODA’S- They were the first inhabitants of udhagamandalam, popularly called as Ooty. From 19th century the tribe exsist that their settlements are called as Mund. Muttunadmund as called in Tamil, the land of Ooty is their home land-Thai Veedu. Buffaloes is very much a part of life, culture, that they worship the animal as their own God. They are very spiritually oriented that there are two important temple they worship. The priest who does Pooja can’t go home, he has to eat on leaves, leaf cups and plates, that too the distinctive fact, Toda’s are pure vegetarians. Moonbo is one such temple where Goddess Teksha is worshipped, while Autrealvah is another temple, with lot of carvings. Rock living is a popular sport in their tribe, besides embroidery. Marriages are usually conducted among their own tribe, that baby showers are grandly celebrated. Their houses are built in hut type out of thick bamboo, with a small opening where you have to crawl or bend to go inside. Urunda saapadu is their staple cuisine made out of rice, which is rolled as balls. Visiting this village is a part of Ooty tourism, whereby Ooty was originally known as Otrai kal mandu. The history says John Sullivan brought this hill station out to the world, that it is easily reachable from Coimbatore.
KODAVAS- Popularly called as “Scotland of India” located in Karnataka, Coorg is where Tala Cauvery flows. Madikeri is the headquarters of this hill station. This land is the home of kodavas. Though origin of this tribe is unknown kodavas are warriors who carry a rifle and a dagger. People of this tribe are known as, kodavas and kodavakki. Men of this tribe are usually tall, fair and very handsome while women are too beautiful. They always wear a waist belt called as, Kuppillya kalav, while women saree is tied in a different way, but both of them carry a dagger which is a part of their culture. Vummanthate is their tradition song. Their homes are usually huge, where yearly twice all of them assemble to celebrate. Dasara, Kaveri sankaranama, pepper, cardamom are the main plantations of this tribe. Kadumbo, oothi, pandi, Bayam bath is their cuisine and drink made of their kachumpuli fruit. Coorg is a popular hill station of Karnataka. Abbey falls, dubare,Brahmagiri peak, bylakuppe, mandalpatti view point and nagar hole national park are places to visit. From mangalore 160kms away is Coorg.
KURUMBAS- They are the first inhabitants of Nilgiri rangers, whose major occupation are Honey, weaving, and basket making. Kurumba tribe are popular for their magic power, that they use the power to cure diseases, catch thieves, and see to that good happens. They are also known as, Kuruba, and Kuruban that after downfall of Pallava dynasty, from where they hail, they started living in many parts of south India. There are totally 7 Kuruba tribe-Allu, Pallu, Beta, Jenu, Mullu, Mudhuga and Urali. They live in the caves, that their houses are built out of stones. In front of a Kurumba house you would find, jackfruit, banana and chillies plants. They worship Lord shiva, whom they call as, Bhairava. The tribal head man is known as, Manjagara while the magic person is known as Mannugara. Their genes hails from their fathers, that marrying among cousins is a part of their culture. It’s a four days celebration starting from bendhuva, they move to aalu koodalu then kenigaanam marriage and complete with aalu priyallu. Honey hunt festival is a popular festival that falls in the month of April. Nilgiris mountains known as, blue mountains is blessed with abundant flora, fauna filled with breathtaking nature, which is a major part of western ghats. Coonoor, Thiruvelly, Red Hills and Ooty are places to visit.
KUIRCHYAR- Kuri means target, chyar means people. They are called as Malanam namboodria. They speak different Malayalam. They have lot of folklore stories, music and dances. A very unique, different, tribe of southindia, that stands for unique culture and way of living. The myth story is, Vadakaran Devi, God of Kurichyar tribe had a dream about a place, which God approves. For inspecting the work He sent a bird made out of lotus. The bird found fault, that in between two hills there is a gap which is not filled. This space is where Kurichi tribe started their living. Rice, chicken, mushroom, fresh vegetables are their staple food. Their houses are made out of hay from their background. Wayanad Kerala hill station, full of beautiful nature. Wade+Nadu is called as waynadu. Deccan plateau full of nature. Nagar hole wild life sanctuary, edakkal caves, neelemala view point, meenmutta falls, phanton rock, suchipura falls, Kanthapura falls, lakkidi view point, banasura sagar dam are places to visit.
South India is a land full of wonderful culture, art and tribes, where tribal part have unique way of living. There is lots of learn from them, that I still am able to sing the song I learnt from Toda tribe, try at least one or two steps of Kodava tribal dance, learnt way of prayer from Kurumbas and one dish from kurichyar. I did spend half a day with them and came back with a mind that was brainstormed.
