The Kattunayakans
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The Kattunayakans are found in southern India, in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. The meaning of Kattunayakans is derived from ‘nayakans’ (chiefs) of the ‘kattu’ or ‘kadu’ (forest).
CTRD works with the Kattunayakans of the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu, where they are only present in the Gudalur and Pandalur taluks, and where they speak their own dialect known as “nammabashe”.
Very little is narrated by the Kattunayakans on their origins and early history, although they claim to be autochthons of the Western Ghats. In Tamil Nadu, the Kattunayakans are separated into a number of exogamous clans and lineages.
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The traditional occupations of this tribal group are hunting and gathering, fishing, bird trapping and labour, which still form the means of livelihood for many, although nowadays tribal people are also employed in plantations or as self-wage labour earners.
Kattunayakans traditionally live in a cluster of very basic small mud walled huts, thatched with paddy straw or grass. Most houses are only one roomed, and so there is often an additional open-sided, roofed shed called a “chavadi”, where people sit and talk during the day, and take food and sleep at night.
The Kattunayakans are non-vegetarian and their diet is based on local and forest produce, in addition to a few items available from nearby markets. |
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They have their own traditional tribal council, known as a “nyaya” to keep social control amongst community members.
They practice a tribal religion, believing in spiritual beings, with a belief in charms and sorcery, while also following some Hindu beliefs.
Unique customs and rituals are followed in life cycle ceremonies such as childbirth, puberty, marriage and death.
References:
“Kattunayakans of Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu” – A Tribal Cultural Documentation from the Tribal Research Centre, 2005
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