The Kurumbas

The Kurumbas are found in southern India, in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. Etymologically Kurumba means one who tends sheep.

In Tamil Nadu, they are only found in the Nilgiri District of the state, where they have many sub-groups / divisions, namely the Alu Kurumbas, Betta Kurumbas, Jenu Kurumbas, Mullu Kurumbas and the Urali Kurumbas. Different sub-groups maintain a distinctive ethnic identity and speak different dialects, some containing more Kannada and Tamil words, some speaking Kannada and other speaking Malayalam.

CTRD works mainly with the Beta Kurumbas, and to a lesser extent with the Jenu Kurumbas.

The Kurumbas are extremely old inhabitants in the Nilgiri district, although their origin is debatable. They claim to originate from the boarders of Wynyard (Kerala state), Gunwale (Karnataka state) and Attala (Kerala state), in and around the Nilgiri plateau.

The Betta Kurumbas and the Jenu Kurumbas live in the Gudalur Taluk, in and around the Mudumalai Wild Life sanctuary.

The Betta Kurumbas live in small low huts, thatched with leaves, and with walls of bamboo or reed wattle. They are known for their experience with elephants, and in taming wild elephants and many Kurumbas are employed in the Forest Department as elephant care workers and to keep watch in the forest. Originally they used to practice shifting agriculture (‘kumri’), until it was banned. Some kitchen gardens still exist, and a small income is derived from the making and selling of baskets by the women and from the authorized selling of minor forest products.

The huts of the Jenu Kurumbas are constructed on raised plinths, with wattle walls and thatched roofs. Traditionally they are food gatherers and honey (‘jenu’) collectors. Their main source of income is from land and forest, and some are employed by the Forest Department. Kurumba women are experts in craft making, such as bamboo or reed baskets.

Betta and Jenu Kurumbas have a common tribal council known as “kula panchayat” to keep social control amongst the community members, and the headman is refereed to as “yajaman” or ‘ejuman”, a “nyaya”.

They practice a tribal religion, believing in spiritual beings, with a belief in charms and sorcery, while also following some Hindu beliefs.

The Jenu Kurumbas are held to be great magicians and body tatooers.

Unique customs and rituals are followed in life cycle ceremonies such as childbirth, puberty, marriage and death.

References:
“Kurumbas of the Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu” – A Tribal Cultural Documentation from the Tribal Research Centre, 2003