Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary

Tribal Heritage Kerala Tourism Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is the home of 4 different indigenous communities viz., Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar and Malamalasar. It was during 1906 Sri. Ananthakrishna Iyer, the ethnographer for the Dewan of Cochin officially enlisted these communities. Linguistically these communities are classified as Dravidian. These four ethnic groups are settled in six colonies. The other human settlement is known as P.A.P. colony which came into existence during the 1950's and 1960's during the construction of three dams for Parambikulam-Aliyar Project which is an inter-state multipurpose project. The ethnic identity and the population of tribes inhabiting each settlement are given below. Location of the Settlement Ethnic Identity Families Individuals Area of the Settlement Sungam Malasar tribe 80 309 3.07 Ha Pooppara Muduva tribe 39 167 24.00 Ha Fifth colony, Parambikulam Malamalasar tribe 14 55 1.38 Ha Kuriarkutty Kadar tribe 58 253 5.09 Ha Earthdam colony Kadar tribe 32 120 0.33 Ha Kadas colony Kadar tribe 54 206 0.40 Ha Kadar Kadar otherwise known as "Kadir" (Thurston, 1906) is the primitive inhabitants of Anamalai hills. They are short statured, dark skinned and platyrhined (flat nosed). Their original language is a mixture of Tamil and Malayalam. Traditionally they used to live in neatly constructed bamboo huts, thatched with teak leaves. According to Thurston (1906), they are nomadic. Though their main livelihood was collection of NWFP, they had been working for the Forest Department since a long time. They are non vegetarian by habit but cycas seeds are frequently consumed. They never used to rear cattle and consume a milk product which is changed now. In Kadar community traditionally the bridegroom gave dowry to the bride and widow remarriage was never permitted. Polygamy used to be the practice. Worship of stone images was practiced mainly that of the goddess "Kali". Kadars used to bury the dead. Malasar Malasar used to live in small hamlets abutting the forest on the hills of Anamalai, Palakkad and Darapuram. They speak a mixture of Tamil and Malayalam. Wild yam was their staple food and now they prefer rice. They are known to cultivate ragi and other minor millets. They worship a local god named "Mallung, Kali and Mariamman" to whom they used to sacrifice goats once a year in April. Their hamlets are known as "pathis" with a headman called vendari who rules the hamlets with the help of a panchayat. Malasars live at a lower elevation than the Malamalasar and Kadars. Malasars are sturdier in build but do not have the characteristic features of Hill men (Thurston, 1906). Malasars traditionally were NWFP collectors and also used to work as labours. Adult marriage used to be norm. However, child marriage was not prohibited. Usually the dead along with their personal effects are buried. Ceremonies marking attainment of puberty are celebrated Muduva The Muduva also known as "Mudugar" are traditional cultivators living in the hills of Anamalais and Idukki areas. They practiced slash and burn cultivation. They speak a dialect closely related to Tamil with few Malayalam works. It is believed that Muduvas previously lived in the plains but driven to the hills by the Muhammaden invaders towards the end of 18th century. Thurston (1906) found a mixture of west coast and east coast cultures in them. Their craftsmanship with bamboo is evident from their neat and flat roofed huts. Muduva community has a headman known as Mooppan assisted by an informal panchayat body. The office of the Mooppan is hereditary. Muduvas are known as highly superstitious who believe in sorcery and witchcraft even though they do not practice them. Polygamy and polyandry were permitted in the past but they practice strict monogamy now. Widow re-marriage is permitted. The community follows Hinduism and their chief god is "Pazhaniandavar". The dead are usually buried. Malamalasar Malamalasar are also known as "Mahamalasar" and "Malaimalasar" as noted in the Encyclopaedia of Indian Tribes (1989) and "Malamanushyar" (Susmita and Sekhar, 2001). They are taller than Malasar, well built, dark brown and have prominent nose and thin lips. They are generally a nomadic tribe who shift frequently within a small space. They used to live in fragile huts called "Chalai" located in rock shelters/caves. Their livelihood was traditionally based on NWFP collection. They live as nuclear families and the son(s) inherit the father's property. They prefer cross cousin marriage. Monogamy is the norm. Attainment of puberty is celebrated. In the Encyclopaedia of Indian Tribes (1989), it is stated that the Malamalasars neither bury nor cremate the dead. Instead the corpse is bundled in mats and left deep in the forests to be disposed off by the wildlife. They speak an inferior dialect of Tamil. They are still primitive and have not taken to agriculture and they do not worship any specific god. One of first ever website for a tribal community is dedicated to this people.