Traditional Knowledge of the Cholanaickan and Kurumba: the Hunter Gatherers of Kerala

Abstract

This paper deals with the ecology and cultural heritage of Cholanaickan tribal community of Nilambur, Malappuram District and the Kurumba tribal community of Attappady, Palakkad District, the hunter gatherers of Kerala. The natural ecology of the Cholanaickan has been largely encroached upon by the migrant plainsmen and brought within the threshold of the cultural heritage of the peasant society. However, despite their regular cultural contact with the non-tribal migrant people, the Cholanaickan did not get an acceptable status in the cultural milieu of the local peasant society. As a matter of fact, they still practice primitive economy and adopt a nomadic life. An attempt is also made to describe and analyze the ecological heritage of Cholanaickan and Kurumba with special focus on their development and cultural change. Our analysis would highlight the growing debate on the eco-system and cultural heritage of primitive tribes in general and Cholanaickan in and Kurumba particular in the degraded ecosystem. There are 75 Primitive Tribal Groups in India of whom Cholanaickan of Nilambur, Kurumba of Attappady, Kadar of Palakkad, Kattunaickan of Wayanad and Koragar of Kasargod in Kerala have been recognized as Primitive tribal groups. The present communication highlights the traditional knowledge related to plants used for medicinal purpose by Cholanaickan tribal community.