Social Development and Biographical Identities of Tribal People in Nilgiri District

Abstract

The current study is related to the Nilgiris district due to the easy accessibility of the investigators. In Tamil Nadu, among the 37 scheduled tribes, the government of India identifies six communities as Primitive Tribal Groups namely; Todas, Kotas, Kurumbas, Irulas, Paniyas and Kattunayakans. Among them, three major Dravidian tribes namely the Todas, the Kota and the Kurumbas are the home of Nilgiris District. The Badaga form the largest ethnic group in Nilgiri District and they were originally a migrant group from Karnataka who arrived in the highlands in the 16th century. The Toda are the original inhabitants of the Nilgiris Hills and they are one of the most picturesque tribes in India. The Todas possess some Patrilineal and matrilineal divisions they were undoubtedly polyandrous. The Kotas inhabit the Nilgiri district within a cultural framework and are strict followers of their culture. Kurumbas are the district's least civilized group and mostly live on the hill slopes and feverish places. In Nilgiri district, Irula are found in the lower regions of the hills. The Paniyas usually avoid marrying their cross cousins. Monogamy is the most common form of marriage, among Paniyas whereas, polygamy form of marriage is also found in a few settlements in the district. The social organization of any society involves mutual relation obligations, elements of idea behaviour anticipated behaviour and accrual behaviour of the community members. Their priests are of their tribe. There are two to a village one called Devadi, whose office is hereditary. No animal sacrifices are performed there. They do not know the difference between Siva and Vishnu. However, describe the Irulas as a distinct and no peaceable tribe. There is a repertoire for dancing, a repertoire for funerals and a repertoire for 'god'. Tribal people are endowed with enriched traditional wisdom to use available resources around them.