CENSUS OF INDIA 1981 Series-9 KARNATAKA PART-XI THE YERAVAS OF KODAGU B.K.DAS Of the Indian Administrative Service Director of Census Operations, Karnataka FOREWORD The Indian Census is still the largest single source which pro­ vides basic information on different demographic and socio­ economic aspects of the people of this country. In fact each decennial census takes lead over the pr~ceding ~ne by widening the scope and dimension of its enquiry and thereby helps to ke~p the frontiers of knowledge expanding. Thus, today'apar! from the usual census operation it has' become a tradition with this organi­ sation to take up studies on a vide spectrum of topiG,s including arts and crafts, fairs and festivals, towns and villages and on castes and tribes. ' The present report is the outcome of an ethnograp~ic study I conducted on the Yeravas - a Scheduled Tribe of Karn':ataka by Shri B.K. Das, Director of Census Operations. In this comprehen­ sive note Shri Das has made every effort to cast wider nnd question more penetratingly into the different aspects of socio-economic and religious life of the Yer~vas. I am sure that the present publica­ tion will be a welcome addition tq the literature on tribal ethno­ graphy which is still in its infancy in India. Shri M.S.Ramachandra, Assistant Director of Census Opera­ tioqs and Shri K.B. Koppad, Deputy Director of Census Opeia­ tions have ably assisted Shri B.K. Oas in bringing out this . publication in its present form. I am thankful to both of them. This study was taken up by Shri B.K.Das as a special project and the entire credit for its successful completion, therefore, goes to him. I take this opportunity to thank Shri B.K.Oas for undertaking this useful study. New Delhi V.S. Verma Dated the 19 Nov. , 1987 Registrar General. India {III' PREFACE As the Director of Census'Operations, Karnataka, I had the , I privilege of extensively touring the State and visiting interior areas in ,various parts of the State. These occasions provided me ample opportunities to closely observe the economic an,d socio­ cultural life of the people belonging to various 'sectiolls: of our multi-faceted society. Whenever I came acro~s groups of P8f'ple, who have now come to be regarded astribals, I was often strvc~ by thei( extremely simple life and the relative ease with wh~ch th,ey could relax,- forgetting their woes and hard realities of life. Wh~n : '1 Shri P.Padmanabha, the then Registrar General, India-, suggested that the Directors of Census Operations may take up a few special ;:;tudtes on syblects of thei r choice in addition to the main Censu~ operations, my immediate choice fell on the study of such simple:; folks. Accordingly, I decided to conduct an ethnographic study o( the "Yeravas" - one of the numerically important tribal communi­ ties exclusively found in the Kod<;tgu district of the State. I am grateful to Shri P.Padmatlabha for having readily given his assent to the project. Kodagu district is renowned for its coffee plantations and forest wealth. The southern, northern and western parts of the district are endowed with densely wooded hills and fertile valleys. These forests i have in the past provided shelter to several species of wild animals as well as to groups of people who preferred to dwell in forests or were compelled by force of circumstances to retreat to the forests and lead a secluded life with reference to the main­ stream of the society. Veravas are the most numerous among the tribals witt+l-stte-tla background. The present study represents an att~mpt to trace their origin and history as well as to portray the various facets of their socia-cultural life. During the post­ independence period which almost corresponds to the era of planned develgpment, especially during the last decade, the Yera­ vas are exposeCt to powerful forces promoting a rapid socio- (V) economic change. As a result, they are no longer living in isolation but are gradually overcoming their instinctive urge to keep them­ selves aloof from the mainstream of the society. The forces of acculturation are active as never before. I express my thanks to the following officers who have been closely associated with the project: Shri N.P. Shankara Narayana Rao, Investigator carried out the field investigation with zeal and devotion under the able guidance and supervision of Shri M.S. Ramachandra, A.D.C.O(T). The preliminary report drafted by the Investigator has been revised by Shri M.S. Ramachandra, A.D.C.O(T). Shd K.B. Koppad, D.D.C.O. examined the draft report in detail and offered valuable suggestions in the light of which the report has been finalised. I am also ttlankful to Shri K.N. S. Iyer, Photographer cum Artist of the State Forest Department (Forest Utilisation Divisiop) for his professional services. Last but not least, I feel greatly indebted to Shri V.S. Verma, the present Registrar General, India who has read through the report with interest and has enriched it with his valuable foreword. B.K.Oas Director of Census Operations Karnataka (VI) CONTENTS Page No. (i i i) FOREWORD ( \( -VI·) PREFACE 1. Introduction , 1 2. Name and Identity 2. 3. ·Area where found 11 4. Origin and history 15\, 5. Demography 27 6. Physical Characteristics 34 7. Family, clan and analogous divisions of the community 37 8. Material life; 45 9. Environmental sanitation, hygienic habits, disease and treatment 60 10. Language and literature 63 11. Education and literacy 68 12. Economic life 74 13. Life Cycle: Beliefs and practices connected with birth, marriage and death 91 14. Religion " 121 15. Leisure and recreation 125 16. Relationship among different segments of the community 127 17. Inter community relationship 128 18. Structure of social control, prestige and leadership 130 19. Social 'reform and welfare· 136 20. Conclusion 143 Appendix 1 - 8adaga Yeravas of' Kutta and its .~ -'n-eighbourhood 145 2 - Badaga Yeravas of northern parts of Virajpet 149 3 - Brief Note on Tribal Sub-plan 152 4 -, A short note on Yerava of Coorg 158 Bibliqgraphy. 160 (VU) LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS 1. A view of Mathigodu Colony of yeravas from a distance. Trneir dwel­ lings are situated amidst sylvan surroundings. The hut overlooks the paddy field. 2. Closer view of the dwelling of a Yerava at Mathigodu Colony - the walls are of mud and the roof is of thatching grass. 3. View of another dwelling situated in Karekandi. In this case too the walls are of mud and the roof is of thatching grass. 4. A mortar is built into the raised platform in the front portion of the dwelling Here the old woman is pounding paddy with a long wooden pestle. 5. After pouncfiing, the dehusked paddy is seived to separate the rice grains from the broken pieces. 6. And then rice is winnowed to remove dust and husk. 7. Pounding paddy by Yatha, another type of wooden device with lever action. 8. Front view of an old man. 9. Profile of an o~ man. 10. Front view of an young man. 11. Profile of an young man. 12. Profile of a teenaged boy. Notice the frizzly hair. 13. Front viewaf.ao.~old woman. 14. Profile of a middle aged woman. 15. A young woman wearing saree in traditional style and holding a child in ber arms. (IX) 16. Another young married woman wearing saree in a different style which is quite common in other parts of the State and elsewhere. 17. Young girl dressed in traditional style - notice curly hair. 18. Another young girl dressed in traditional style- notice trizzly hair. 19. Profile of a young girl. Notice the bead necklace and tawdry orna­ ments adorning the ear-lobe and the nose. 20. A couple. 21. A couple with grown up sons. 22. Another couple with young children. 23. An elderly woman with her daughters and grand children. 24. Women and girls belonging to Adiyan tribe at Tirnelly (Kerala StGte). 25. Fishing traps made of bamboo reeds lay in the foreground of the old man and his grand son. 26. Kanjneladi (priest) with dudi the percussion instrument in position. 27. Thammadi, the priest who gets possessed and acts as a medium, in his functional attire. 28. Close up view of the symbols kept inside a Yerava shrine. 29. Articles kept in a corner of the same shrine, on a slightly raised platform, represent achchandebadi and a Kadtale. 30. View of the interior portion of another shrine. 31. The dilapidated temple at Kudure Kode (near Tirnelly in Kerala) - which ;s Closely associated with the progenitors of Panjiri Veravas. 32. The two stones representing Achche and Iththi,the progenitors of the Panjiri Yeravas. (X ) ...... (/) ...::.c:o o -l0.- G) > ......o :::J ..;C. Q) .J: t- rJ) en c: ....... o ::>0" Co 1S­ o j l .:::( -r 1 I '- Closer view of' the IdweUing of a Verava at Mathiglodu Colony - the walls are of mud and the root is of thatching Iglrs.ss. Vilew at another dwelUng situ.ate,d in Karekandi. In thi,s case too the wallis are lof mud ,and the roof is 0 ,1 thatching grass. Closer view of the dwelling of a Yerava 8 't Mathigodu Colony - the walls are of mud and the roof is of thatching grass. Vi,ew of another dweUing situated in Karekandi. In this case too the walls are of mud and the roof i s of thatchlinQl grass. After poun,ding, the d 1ehusked pad'dy is seiYed 10 separate the rice glra'lns from t 'he broken pieces.