Community Profile
A vast majority of tribes in Kerala state hail from the Paniya tribal sect. Paniyas inhabit in the regions of Wayanad and the neighboring parts of Kannur and Malappuram.
Paniyas, tribes, Wayanad, Kerala, IndiaAs bond labourers, the Paniyas were once sold along with plantations by the landlords. They were also employed as professional coffee thieves by higher castes. The name ‘Paniyaan’ means ‘worker’ as they were supposed to have been the workers of non – tribes.
Major Adivasi communities of Wayanad
Adiyan
Population: 11196 in Wayanad
Adiyan – The word Adiyan means “slave” in Malayalam. The ethnographic accounts reveal that traditionally they were bonded labours to the landlords and currently also largely depend on agricultural wage labour for their livelihood. The Adiyan community mainly reside in the Kannur and Wayanad districts of Kerala. In Wayanad, they are mainly located in Mananthavady and Panamaram blocks.
Paniyan
Population: 69116 in Wayanad
In Wayanad Paniyas are the largest tribal community in Kerala and are concentrated in Wayanad, Kannur, Kozhikkode, and Malapuram districts. They had been agricultural labourers and worked as slaves of landlords for several decades. They were believed to be brought to Wayanad by the king of Malabar, centuries ago as slaves for agricultural labour. It is said that they were sold and bought along with the fields they lived in. After the government of Kerala abolished the slavery system, they had been rehabilitated in different colonies set up by the government. They are still depending on agriculture wage labour for their livelihood. Majority of the indices in the Human Development Index of Paniyas are very low which shows their marginalized status in the region. In order to fill the gap in their development indicators within Adivasis, the Government has initiated special Adiya, Paniyan package.
Kurichiyan
Population: 25266 in Wayanad
Kurichiyan people reside in Wayanad and some parts of Kozhikode districts in Kerala. Generally, Kurichiyas are settled agriculturist tribal community leading subsistent economy to eke out livelihood from their own land. They are holding higher position in the socio cultural hierarchy of Adivasis.
Kattunayakan
Population: 17051 in Wayanad
The Kattunayakans reside in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala and the community is listed as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). Kattunayakans are also called as Thenu Kurumba (Thenu means honey) since the community is engaged in collection of honey from the forests. However, with development, their dwellings inside the forest has been shifting to forest fringes and outside the forest. The community still depends largely on collection of Non-Wood Forest Produce (NWFP) for livelihood.
Mullukuruman
Population: 20983 in Wayanad
MulluKuruma community is mainly concentrated in Sulthan Bathery block of Wayanad district. They are also found in neighbouring State of Tamil Nadu Nilgiris region where they are called as “Kurumbas” and come under PVTG category in Tamilnadu. The Mullukurumas are believed to be the descendants of Vedar community, the ancient rulers of Wayanad. Traditionally they are settled agriculturists community engaging in farming to eke out livelihood.
Uralikurumas
Population: 6472 in Wayanad
Uralikuruma also known as Betta Kurumas is a traditional artisan community, presently involved as wage labour to meet their livelihood needs. They are experts in baskets and pottery making. They are mostly concentrated in the Sulthan Bathery and Mananthavady block of Wayanad district
Thachanadan Moopan
Population: 1646 in Wayanad
The Thachanadan Moopan community got scheduled as ST during 2003.Originally the community was known as ‘Koodammar’. They are marginal farmers and also experts in bamboo basket making and carpentry. The major concentration of Thachanadan Moopans is concentrated in three panchayaths. Ambalavayal, Meppadi and Muppainadu
Wayanadan Kadar
Popuation: 673 in Wayanad
Wayanadan Kadar is mainly located in Wayanad district of Kerala. Wayanadan Kadar was added to the Scheduled Tribe category in 2003 based on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders Amendment Act, 2002.Wayanadan Kadar is a marginal tribal community with a population of 673.They are marginal farmers and agriculture workers.
Karimpalan
Population:145 in Wayanad
In Wayanad Karimpalan the name came from their profession of collecting ‘Kari’ (Charcol). The across community is concentrated Wayanad, Kannur and Kozhikode district. They were added to Scheduled Tribe category in 2003. Traditionally, they were engaged in shifting cultivation, making baskets, engaged in collecting timber and tree cutting. Presently they are engaged in settled cultivation and also as agriculture labourers.