The tribals of Kerala are the original people who have inhabited the forests and mountains of Western Ghats. Destined to live outside of the modernising world, they have continued their age-old traditions and folk-ways.

The Kerala tribals are truly no different from other tribes across India. There are three groups of Kerala’s tribal population. They are the vulnerable, the marginalised, and the minority. There are 4,848,393 tribals (1.5% of the total population).

In 2001, the Census of India recorded 3,64,189 Scheduled Tribes in Kerala. Wayanad had the highest number of tribals of any district in the state (1,36,062). 

Primitive Tribal  Groups of Kerala 

Primitive tribes are a dwindling, low literate population that exist as food-gatherers. A primitive tribe is characterised by a lack of modern technology and close proximity to the natural environment. There are five primitive tribes in Kerala: Cholanaikkans, Kurumbas, Kattunaikans, Kadars, and Koragas. These five tribes comprise roughly 5% of Kerala’s total tribal population.

• The Cholanaikkans are the most primitive people in the region. They are found in the Malappuram District and are only a handful in number. They live in the Mancheri hills in the Nilambur Forest Division
• The Kattunaikans are related to the Cholanaikkans and are mainly seen in Wayanad. They are also found in some parts of Malappuram and Kozhikode
• Kadar population is split between the numerous towns and cities in the coastal district of Thrissur, as well as in the rural areas of Palakkad
• The Koraga people live in the coastal areas of Kasaragod, which is their traditional habitat
• Kurumbas are an ethnic community from the Attappady Block of Palakkad district in Kerala. Koragas inhabit the plains of Kasaragod district in Kerala

Wayanad Tribal Culture

The Wayanad tribe lives in the forests of India and speaks Malayalam and are also known as “Kadar”. Their main characteristic is that they speak Malayalam and use the Malayalam language for writing scripts.In Wayanad, the largest tribal settlement in India, people live a varied lifestyle. Tribal culture and practices co-exist harmoniously. The Wayanad tribes have a wide variety of occupations. Some work as small-scale carrying basket makers, hunters, and gatherers. 

The tribes who own land in Wayanad cultivate a variety of crops, such as ginger, jack, ragi, rice, mango, etc. However, some tribes have been able to find work in the government and private sectors.

The Wayanad Tribes, which are predominantly Hindu, celebrate major festivals like Makam (a festival of the Prophet), Onam (a harvest festival), and Vishnu (a major deity in the Hindu culture) with major ceremonies.

Other Major Tribes Of Kerala

There are many other tribes that form the society of Kerala. The Urali tribe can be stressed. These people sought shelter in dense forests to avoid the hassles of taxation and the plundering of soldiers by Tipu Sultan. 

Hundreds of Kammara tribes can also be found in Kerala and their culture and tradition is rightly demonstrated by the style of their ornaments and attire. Being the Janakula, Mahipala, Paidipaala, Raghukula, Kasyapa, Dhanunjaya, or the Kondareddis tribe of Kerala, they make the Kerala tribal culture different and beautiful. The Kurumba tribe is known for their sorcery and their practices of Hinduism. 

Some of the other major tribes of Kerala are – Adiyan, Arandan, Eravallan, Hill Pulaya. Irular, Irulan, Kadar,  Kattunayakan, Kanikaran, Kanikkar, Konda, Koraga. Kota, Melakudi, Malai Arayan, Malai Pandaram, Malai Vedan, Kudiya, Malakkuravan, Malayan Malasar, Marati (Kasaragod district), Muthuvan, Mudugar, Palliyar, Paniyan and Ulladan.

Kerala Tribal Culture Art and Dance Forms

The people of Kerala are a prime example of communities in isolated existence. They hold on to their traditions and lifeways and have yet to be tarnished by the advancing waves of urbanisation. These tribal communities still preserve their life and customs, and resist the modernisation that’s encroaching on them. 

Art forms such as tribal dance, music, and sculpture are fascinating and simple in presentation. They often convey candid feelings born out of life experiences. The tribal culture of Kerala is an ancient, secluded, and distinct way of life. The tribal artists take pride in their culture and this shows through their craftsmanship. 

Every community has its own unique dance traditions, musical instruments, and artful crafts. Visiting the mountain hamlets of Kerala’s forests can give you a different community with a different type of hat or a different drum sound. 

Tribal Dance Forms of Kerala

Kerala, the land of plenty, has more than thirty-five tribal dances. These dances reflect Kerala’s traditions and rituals and show all its cultural glory. Certain tribal dance forms of Kerala are accompanied by songs and some music. The most common way to sing is for the performers themselves to sing, but onlookers can also join in and thus participate in the performance.  Instruments are used, but drums are often a staple of the tribal dance forms in Kerala. 

1. Kurumbar Nritham Dance – Among the most popular tribal dances of Kerala is Kurumbar Nritham. Practised in the Wayanad district, this dance is performed at both weddings and before weddings, by members of the families of both bride and groom. The newlywed couple also performs this dance
2. Kaanikkar Nritham Dance – Another dance form is Kaanikkar Nritham, a tribal dance of the Kanikkar tribe. The steps of the dancers and the waving of their arms and hands along with the sound of drumming come together beautifully
3. Elelakkaradi Dance – Elelakkaradi is a traditional dance that the Irular tribe often performs. It is a communal dance that includes both men, women, and children. The dance mimics the fight against the wild bears which often attack their tribal hamlets
4. Kaadar Nritham Dance – Kaadar nritham is one of the popular tribal dances of Kerala, a state in southern India. It’s popular among the Kadar tribe of Cochin forests and belongs to a primitive dance form. Kaadar nritham is simple but elegant, and it is performed by arranging the performers in a semicircle
5. Paravalli Kali Dance – Paravalli Kali is a traditional tribal dance style from Kerala. It is a mix of the dance styles of the tribes in the forested area of Travancore, and it involves both men and women participating
6. Thavala Kali Dance – This dance forms involves many boys who jump one after another, similar to the frog’s leap
7. Man Kali Dance – This tribal dance takes us back to an episode in the Ramayana. It tells the story of how the disguised Maricha mesmerised Sita with his deer form
8. Gadhika Dance – The Gadhika dance is performed by the Adiya tribe of Wayanad District, and it’s meant to care for ailing people and ensure a safe birth. It begins with a performer invoking Lord Siva for his help to cure the patients

Tribal dances of Kerala are a unique example of how isolated communities preserve their customs and manners. While it may seem that the tribal dances have disappeared from Kerala, there are still a few hamlets where they can be seen. Every tribe presents their own unique dance traditions, all of which have been preserved because of the people’s life.