5. Ascertain the difference between the scheduled tribe and scheduled caste
3
Mannan in terms of language and people. Wordlists, published materials and questionnaires
6. Find out what materials are available about the tribal groups of Idukki district. Questionnaires and library research
2 Tribes of Idukki
2.1 Introduction
People of different tribal groups live in Idukki district. The 1991 census listed the population of 30 different tribal groups in Idukki. However, 16 of these groups have less than 100 people. According to
the reports of the Integrated Tribal Development Programme ITDP, nine major tribal groups are found here. The largest tribes are the Mala Arayan, Muthuvan, Mannan, Urali, Ulladan, Paliyan and Mala
Pulayan. Mala Vedan and Mala Pandaram are also found in Idukki, but their population is much smaller than that of the other groups. The Muthuvan, Mannan, Paliyan and Mala Pulayan are culturally related
to groups in Tamil Nadu. The Urali, Ulladan and Mala Arayan appear to have migrated to Idukki from other parts of Kerala.
Table 1 shows the major tribal populations of Idukki district according to the 1991 census. Table 1. Tribal populations of Idukki district
Tribal group Population
Muthuvan 10,633
Mannan 6,888
Mala Arayan 15,379
Urali 5,843
Ulladan 2,943
Mala Pulayan 2,106
Paliyan 1,442
Mala Vedan 1,235
Mala Pandaram 712
2.2 Muthuvan
2.2.1 Geography
The Muthuvan primarily live in Devikulam and Adimali blocks in Devikulam tahsil of Idukki district. There are also some communities that reside in the adjoining area of Udumalpet and Valparai tahsils of
Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. Since the recent partition of Idukki district, there are also some settlements in Ernakulam district of Kerala. Muthuvan settlements are often situated on hill slopes at
elevations ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 feet MSL in thick forests. A number of Muthuvan settlements are scattered around Anaimudi, the highest peak in southern India Singh 1994:833–834. Table 2 shows the
number of settlements in each tahsil:
3
“The Scheduled Castes SCs and Scheduled Tribes STs are official designations given to various groups of historically disadvantaged people in India.” ‘scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.’
https:en.wikipedia.orgwikiScheduled_Castes_and_Scheduled_Tribes . 10 March 2016.
Table 2. Distribution of Muthuvan settlements in Idukki district
Tahsil Block
Panchayat Number of settlements
Devikulam Adimali
Adimali 13
Byzenvali 3
Vellathuvel 1
Konnathadi 1
Devikulam Munnar
38 Marayoor
10 Kanthalloor
7 Chinnakanal
3 Vattavada
3 Shanthanpara
2 Total
81
2.2.2 History
According to a legend prevalent among the Muthuvan, cited by Thurston 1909:86–103, they originally belonged to Madurai in Tamil Nadu. When Kannagi, a divine woman and the principle character of the
Tamil epic Chilappathikaram left Madurai after destroying it by her curse, a group of people also migrated with her to the hills, carrying her, their children and belongings on their backs muthuku, in
Malayalam. Thus they came to be known as Muthuvan, meaning ‘those who carried something on their backs’. The Muthuvan still carry their children on their backs, an uncommon practice in Kerala.
According to another version, the name is derived from the word mutu, which means ‘old’ Singh 1994:833.
2.2.3 People
Muthuvan is also spelled ‘Muduvan’ by some writers. But, in this report, the spelling ‘Muthuvan’ will be used. This group should not be confused with ‘Mudugar’, an entirely different group in Palakkad, Kerala.
Muthuvan is classified as a scheduled tribe of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They are one of the most undeveloped people groups in Idukki. Many Muthuvan people can be considered as being part of one of
two groups, which may be referred to as Tamil Muthuvan or Malayalam Muthuvan. Some Malayalam Muthuvan also refer to themselves as Nattu Muthuvan and to the Tamil Muthuvan as Pandi Muthuvan,
although this may be a derogative term. The differences between the groups are mainly due to contact with Malayalam-speaking people and Tamil-speaking people. They considered themselves as different
until a few years ago. However, many of them now realise that they are a part of the same ethnic group, with some differences in their language and customs. More recently, inter-marriage has been taking
place and the people have recognised that they share some common interests. But some Muthuvan are still strongly opposed to people from the other Muthuvan subgroups.
2.2.3.1 Population
The 1991 census of India records that there are 10,633 Muthuvan people living in Idukki district. It also reports a total of 437 Muthuvan people in Tamil Nadu. Although the population of Muthuvan, Mudugar
and Muduvan was reported together in the 1991 census, the Mudugar are not in Idukki. Therefore, it can be concluded that this number represents the actual Muthuvan population of Idukki. The list of
scheduled tribes in Tamil Nadu has also grouped the Mudugar and Muduvan together with a population of 787 in 1991 census, while the Muthuvan are separately recorded as having a population of 437.
2.2.3.2 Education
Muthuvan is one of the most educationally undeveloped tribal groups in Idukki district. The literacy rate among the Muthuvan is 24 31 among males and 17 among females according to the 1991 census.
They have recently begun sending their boys to school, whereas the girls are generally not encouraged to do so. Most Muthuvan settlements are located deep within thickly forested areas. There are a few single-
classroom primary schools located in interior settlements. However, most children have to stay in tribal hostels in order to attend classes. But many children are reluctant to be separated from their parents and
village for very long.
2.2.3.3 Settlements
There are 81 Muthuvan settlements in Idukki district. Another ten settlements are located in adjoining parts of Tamil Nadu. Of these 91 settlements, 79 are Tamil Muthuvan and only 12 settlements are
Malayalam Muthuvan. Malayalam Muthuvan settlements are only found in Kerala. The Tamil Muthuvan tend to live in clusters and the Malayalam Muthuvan are spread throughout the cultivable land. The
Muthuvan huts are made of reed and thatched with leaves. The people use a “dormitory system”, in which all the bachelors sleep together in one shelter and all the bachelorettes in another. They are not
permitted to sleep in their parents’ hut after they have attained the age of about ten Menon 1996:288.
2.2.3.4 Social life
The people practice horticulture and slash and burn cultivation in the reserve forests. Cardamom and lemon grass oil are produced and then sold through licensed contractors. The Muthuvan are proficient in
weaving baskets and mats. Hunting and fishing traps are made of reed. Wage labour in the forest department and the collection of seasonal forest produce are subsidiary occupations.
The Muthuvan once followed a tribal religion. They now profess Hinduism, worshipping Murugan, Subramaniar and Ramar. In addition to the deities of the wider pantheon order, they also worship evil
deities like Karuppa Swami and Mariyamma. Some Muthuvan families have become Christians. Ragi is traditionally their staple food, although it is being supplanted by rice and tapioca. The
Muthuvan men wear ear-studs, white dhotis and turbans. The women wear their saris in such a way that a pouch is made on their back, which they use to carry their babies.
There are several clans among the Muthuvan, including the Mela Kuttam, Kana Kuttam, Susana Kuttam and Puthani Kuttam. The headman kanikaran of a settlement is elected by the members of that
settlement, irrespective of his clan or lineage. Any members of the community that commit adultery, theft or break traditional norms are punished by the imposition of cash fines or are excommunicated.
They strictly adhere to community endogamy, only allowing marriage between members of the same group.
2.2.4 Language
It is said that Muthuvan people speak a dialect of their own between themselves, but converse with others in Malayalam or Tamil. They use the Malayalam script Singh 1994:836. Muthuvan people in
Tamil Nadu speak in ‘Muthuva’ among themselves and in Tamil with others and use the Tamil script Singh 1994:834. The dialect spoken by them is closely related to Tamil and to Malayalam. Two dialects
eastern and western have been distinguished Menon 1996:294. The eastern and western dialects speak Tamil Muthuvan and Malayalam Muthuvan respectively. The Muthuvan language has been
classified as a part of the Southern Dravidian language family Grimes 2000:455.
2.3 Mannan
2.3.1 Geography
The Mannan are found in Udumpanchola, Devikulam and Pirmed tahsils of Idukki district. Their settlements are scattered throughout this area. A few settlements can also be found in Madurai district of
Tamil Nadu. There are many hills and streams in the area and most of the settlements are within forest areas. The Mannan are dependent upon the forests for their livelihood throughout the year. At one time,
the settlements were completely remote and had no contact with outsiders, but that has now changed. Many of their villages are located at around 1,000 meters above sea level. The southwest monsoon
commences in their area by the end of May, with maximum precipitation falling in June and July. The northeast monsoon arrives in September. Average yearly rainfall is about 250 centimetres Menon
1996:254. Table 3 shows the number of settlements in each tahsil.
Table 3. Distributions of Mannan settlements in Idukki district
Tahsil Block
Panchayat Number of settlements
Devikulam Adimali
Adimali 12
Vellathuvel 1
Devikulam Munnar
2
Udumpanchola Nedumkandam
Senapathi 2
Udumpanchola 6
Nedumkandam 1
Pampadumpara 1
Kattappana Kanchiyar
4 Kattappana
2 Irattayar
1 Idukki
Vazhathoppu 4
Vathikudi 3
Kanjikuzhi 3
Pirmed Azhutha
Kumily 1
Total 43
2.3.2 History
According to Thurston 1909:452–455, Mannan is a hill tribe of Travancore. The Mannan are reported to be the descendents of the kings of Madurai, whom they accompanied to Neriya Mangalam. According
to the myths and legends prevalent among the Mannan, they have migrated to their present region from Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The hills in the Travancore region abounded with vegetation, wild animals and
birds when compared to their original Madurai home. It was the quest for food that led them to migrate to the Cardamom Hills. In Menon 1996:254, Iyer reports that based on one story popular among them,
“They were formerly the dependants of the kings of Madurai. They entered the Cardamom Hills through Cumbum Mettu and settled there.”
2.3.3 People
The Mannan have distinguished features and cultural background. Various explanations have been proposed for the origin of the name ‘Mannan’. Singh 1994:753 states that ‘Mannan’ means ‘king’ in the
Tamil language. According to Luiz sited by Singh 1994:753, ‘Mannan’ originates from ‘mannu’ which
means ‘earth’ in Malayalam and ‘manushian’ which means ‘man’ in Malayalam: ‘sons of the soil’. According to people’s perception, the term ‘mannan’ means ‘the leaders of the hill’. In physical
appearance, most Mannan people are short statured, have short noses, thick lips and black eyes Menon 1996:254.
Mannan [m ʌnnan] is classified as a scheduled tribe of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They should not be
confused with Mannan [m ʌɳɳan], a scheduled caste that lives in Trivandrum and other adjoining
districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 2.3.3.1
Population According to the Census Bureau of India, the population of Mannan in Kerala has increased from 1,172
people in 1901 to 7,085 in 1991 see table 4. The 1991 census also reports that in 1991 there were 204 Mannan living in Tamil Nadu.
Table 4. Population of Mannan throughout the decades
State Year
Population Total
Males Females
Kerala 1901 1,172
Not Available 1961 3,555
1971 4,221 1981 5,812
2,907 2,905
1991 7,085 3,565
3,520 Tamil Nadu
1981 40
18 22
1991 204
100 104
2.3.3.2 Education
Some of the Mannan boys study up to tenth class, whereas many girls only study up to fourth class. Many of the children discontinue their studies due to the lack of secondary schools in their locality and
due to economic problems Singh 1994:755. The children of interior settlements can make use of tribal hostels in their area, but many do not do so. There have recently been some graduates among them. The
literacy rate of Mannan is 35 according to the 1991 census 41 among men and 30 among women.
2.3.3.3 Settlements
There are 46 settlements of Mannan in Idukki district. The Mannan live in small groups of families called kudi village. Level space at high elevation is preferred as the sites for their hamlets. The size of the
village depends on the availability of the food supply Shashi 1994:290. In Menon 1996:255 Iyer reported that they were once nomadic agriculturalists. Some settlements consist of 50 to 60 huts in a
cluster; others may have as few as 10 to 15.
2.3.3.4 Social life
The traditional occupations of the Mannan are shifting cultivation, trapping, hunting and gathering. At present, their occupations are agricultural labour, settled cultivation, animal husbandry and weaving
mats. They also fish and collect different forest products such as saffron, dammer, honey, wax and wild cardamoms. Now many young people work for daily wages for outsiders. Some educated among them
work as forest guards and in the tribal development offices and other institutions.
They eat buffalo meat, but not beef. Their staple foods are ragi, rice, roots and tubers. Pulses like gram, tur, peas and beans are also part of their diet. They consume alcohol, but avoid cow’s milk.
Mannan women participate in social, ritual and religious activities along with the men. They also contribute to the family income. Although inter-caste marriage now occurs, the couples are restricted to
living inside their settlement. The Mannan have modified their animistic practices towards those of orthodox Hinduism. The
Mannan mother goddess ‘Kanchiyar Mutthi’ is their most important deity. She is now believed to be the younger sister of the popular Hindu goddess Madura Meenakshi. Pongal, Makaravilakku and Kanjiveppu
are the major festivals for the Mannan. The Raja Mannan is their ruler. He is assisted by a traditional council of ministers. Each settlement
has a kani, or kanikaran headman. The Integrated Tribal Development Programme ITDP and ‘Akhila Kerala Mannan Samudaya Sangam’ an association of Mannan headed by Raja Mannan are involved in
various development programmes in the community.
2.3.4 Language
There are different opinions about the nature of the Mannan language. According to Thurston 1909:452–455, the language of Mannan is Tamil. Singh 1994:754 has said that they speak a dialect of
Tamil, but converse with others in Malayalam and use the Malayalam script. It has also been said that the people of Mannan speak a dialect of Tamil and Malayalam with a very peculiar accent and that,
when they converse, it is difficult to understand Sachchidananda 1996.
Despite these reports, Mannan have their own speech variety, known as ‘Inavan petch’. Outsiders refer to it as ‘Mannan Pasha’. Although Malayalam and Tamil may have influenced the language, it is
different enough that it is difficult for outsiders to understand. The linguistic classification of their variety is with Southern Dravidian Grimes 2000:452.
2.4 Mala Arayan
The term ‘Mala Arayan’ means ‘the lords of the hills’. Thurston 1909:452–455 describes the Mala Arayan as a hill tribe that was civilized and lived on the slopes of the high mountain ranges. Some of
them are very rich. They are concentrated in the hilly tracts of Idukki and Kottayam districts. They are mainly in the Ilamdesham, Idukki, Azhutha, Adimali and Kattappana blocks in Idukki district. The
community is a scheduled tribe in Kerala and is known as ‘Mala Arayan’ and ‘Malayarayar’, although these two names are synonymous. According to the 1991 census, the population of Mala Arayan in
Idukki is 15,379. The 1999 ITDP report records that there are 4,432 Mala Arayan families in Idukki. Some Mala Arayan live in Tamil Nadu, where they have a population of 689 persons according to the
1991 census.
Mala Aryan used to speak a distinct dialect of their own which was unintelligible to other Malayalis in the past, but now they have adopted the regional Malayalam dialect of their locality Menon
1996:198. Singh 1994:718 reported that Malayalam is their mother tongue and the same language is used for inter-group communication. They use the Malayalam script. One Mala Arayan person said that a
few old people that live in interior locations might know their language. According to the 1981 census, their literacy rate was 77, the highest among tribal populations in Kerala. Christian missionaries have
started many schools in their area, which have provided good opportunities for quality education for many years. The 1981 census also reported that 53 of them are Hindus and 47 are Christians. The
Christians are better off economically.
2.5 Urali
