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
