Scheduled Tribes of

1. Adiyan

District: Wayanad Taluka: Mananthavadi Villages or Gram Panchayats or , , Settlements: and Population*: 11196

Adiyan literally means ‘slave or serf’ in . The community call themselves as ‘Ravulavar’. About 99.80% of the Adiyan population is settled in alone with only a few families / individuals having moved to , Idukki, 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 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: Taluka: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Muthedam, , , Settlements: Pothukallu in Nilambur Block Panchayat, Amarambalam, , and Chokkad in Kalikave Block Panchayat Population*:

The Aranadan community resides solely in the Nilambur forests of . 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

1 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 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Amarambalam, Karulari and Settlements: 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Muthalamada , Perumatty, and Settlements: 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 Villages or Gram Panchayats or Kanthallur, Marayur Settlements: Population*:

Hill Pulayas are early immigrants to Kerala from . 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Agali, Sholayur and Pudur Settlements: Population*:

The Irular community reside mainly in Kerala's , 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

3 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 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) Villages or Gram Panchayats or , Vellamunda, Thondarnad Settlements: ,Edavaka , 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: , Kollam Taluka: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Vithura, Peringammala, Tholikkod, Settlements: Pangode, 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

4 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, Wayanad Taluka: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Naduvil, Udayagiri, Alakode and Settlements: 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Thirunelli, , , Settlements: 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 . 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Settlements: 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Settlements: 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Paivelika , Puthige, Panathady , Settlements: Enmakaje , Vorkadi , Meencha, Belur Population*:

Kudiya and Melakudi reside only in 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Settlements: Population*: 25266

The Kurichiyans are divided into four groups, namely; ‘Jati’ Kurichiyans of Wayanad, ‘Kunnam’ Kurichiyans of Kannur, ‘Anchilla’ Kurichiyans of Tirunelli and ‘’(priest) Kurichiyans who embraced Christianity in 1908- 1910. They speak the 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or ,Noolpuzha, , Settlements: Poothadi, , Pulpally, 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.

8 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Agali, Pudur Settlements: 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Muthalamada Settlements: 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

9 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Kuttikol, Balal, Kallar, Kodombelur, Settlements: 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) Villages or Gram Panchayats or Melukavu , Moonnilavu, Settlements: 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 (), and Kuttampuzha (Eranakulam District) Population*:

Mala Arayans, are mainly distributed in 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

10 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 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Piravanthur and Ariankavu Grama Settlements: Panchayats in 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Naranammuzhi Grama Panchayat in Settlements: 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or 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 Villages or Gram Panchayats or Eruthempathy, Kozhinjampara, Settlements: 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

12 to the region's natural resources and now depend upon manual labour to eke out their living.

25. Malayan

District: Eranakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad Taluka: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Pananchery Grama Panchayat in Settlements: 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 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Adimaly, Mankulam, Udumbanchola, Settlements: 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Madikkai, Pullur Periya, Kuttikol, Settlements: Bedaduka, Balal, Kallar, Kodombelur, Panathady, West Eleri and Kinanoor- Karinthalam (all in ) 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.

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29. Mudugar

District: Palakkad Taluka: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Agali, Pudur Settlements: 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 Villages or Gram Panchayats or 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.

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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 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 Villages or Gram Panchayats or Puliyanmala Settlements: 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Mananthavadi, , Settlements: Bathery,Thondarnad, , 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).

16 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Ulladan community is settled in 12 Settlements: districts (except Palakkad and Kannur)

17 and in 263 local bodies in the state. The local bodies include one Corporation (), 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: Villages or Gram Panchayats or Thirunelli, Ambalavayal, Noolpuzha, Settlements: 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.

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Note: * Population as per KILA Survey 2008 ** Literacy as per KILA Survey 2008 # Census 2001 / 2011

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