The Paniyans

The meaning of Paniyan is derived from ‘pani’, which means ‘work’ in Malayalam, and Paniyan can thus be translated as ‘worker’ or ‘labourer’.

Within the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu, the Paniyan reside only in the Pandalur and Gudalur taluks. The language spoken by the Paniyan is a form of Malayalam language, mixed with Tamil words.

The traditional occupations of this tribal group are hunting and gathering, but now many are also employed as agricultural labourers and on tea estates. Initially employment conditions were extremely bad, and exploitation of people as bonded labourers was common, but government tribal welfare schemes have improved conditions and increased the confidence of the Paniyans.

Paniyans traditionally live in scattered clusters of houses, rather than in large settlements. The houses are basic, single roomed huts, with open verandahs at the front. The walls are constructed from bamboo, which is plastered with mud, and the thatched paddy straw roof.

The Paniyans are non-vegetarian and rice is their staple food, along with barley, raga, tapioca, vegetables, roots and tubers, meat, fish and crabs.

They have their own traditional tribal council, known as a ‘kottani’ to keep social control amongst the community members, and the council head is called the ‘kuttan’.

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:

“Socio Economic Appraisal of the Paniyans and Kurumbas of the Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu” – A Tribal Research Centre Hill Area Development Programme (HADP), 2007