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ETHNIC DIVERSITY
Wayanad- Nilambur- Silent Valley Region-
A hotspot for ethnic diversity and culture
The dominant tribal groups of the region are,
Kurichiya, Kuruma, Paniya, Adiya, Kattunaikka,
Cholanaikka and Muduga with other minor
communities namely, Koombaranmar, Kadar, Pulayar,
Mannan, Kuravar, Malayan and Thachanadan Moopan.
The predominant agricultural communities are,
Kurichiya, Kuruma and Wayanadan Chetty. Apart from
tribals Jains, Tamil Brahmins, Hindus, Muslims and
Christian communities are also the inhabitants of
the district.
The tribal communities of the region have vast
knowledge on those “uncultivated” but useful
plants. For example, the Paniya community uses a
large number of plant and small animal diversity,
which includes 72 species of leafy vegetables, 25
species of mushrooms, 19 species of tubers, 48
In Kerala there are 34 different ethnic groups with a total population of 2,61,475 (1.03% only) as
per 2001 Census Report (Hrishikesh et al., 2002) .Cultural exuberances of the tribes of Kerala are
rightly being highlighted in diverse aspects. House building, rituals, norms bore resemblance to the
tradition and ethnicity of the tribal culture. Many of the tribes of Kerala build their settlements in the
forest grounds and the mountains. Due to the rugged topography of the region, the tribes of Kerala
were remained undisturbed by any kind of foreign invasion, which helped them to maintain their
originality intact till in the recent past.
species of fruits and nuts, 36 kinds of native fishes,
8 kinds of crabs and 5 types of wild honey.
The ritualistic ethos of the rural population of the
region is more entwined with agriculture. Each of
the ethnic community has their own culture of
adoration. Putharikayattal a ritual to remark the
harvest of paddy is invariably observed by all
communities in the region. This is to mark the first
rice harvest of the season. Uchal, another festival
observed by tribal communities Kurichiya and
Kuruma, which is related to planting of seeds and a
myth enshrouded with a deity and stored harvested
rice grains where during these periods processing
paddy is forbidden. Rituals also had been in use
(abuse) for instance Kambala Natti- the paddy
transplanting ceremony which is largely promoted
by the landlords to exploit the maximum hard work
of the labour. The workers would be given drinks
and male members of the paniya community will
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