Page |1

Readings on Kerala

2
Essay

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
1. 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 Pulayar, Parayar, Kanikar
and Malambandarans of erstwhile Travancore and Kurichiyar of Malabar followed
matrilineal tradition.

https://www.youtube.com/@MurukanBabu
 Page |2

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 tribals 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 are
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, Attapadi comes second after Wayanad. Here the largest
community is Irular. Kanikkar tribe lived in caves and tree houses till the last century. They

https://www.youtube.com/@MurukanBabu
 Page |3

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 [Reflect on the lifestyle of early
tribal people of Kerala.]

The essay, “Tribals of Kerala” by Prof. S. Achutha 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.]

Prepared by:
Prof. MURUKAN BABU C.R.
(formerly) Associate Professor of English
Panampilly Memorial Govt. College
Chalakudy

https://www.youtube.com/@MurukanBabu