Mannan Community

Mannan Community Latest News

Raman Rajamannan, the king of the Mannan community and the only tribal king in Kerala, will participate in the Republic Day parade in Delhi.

About Mannan Community:

• The Mannan is a scheduled tribe (ST) of Kerala.
• It is the only Adhivasi tribal dynasty with a kingship currently existing in South India. 
• The life of the Mannan Community is closely related to Tamil culture.
  • They speak a dialect similar to Tamil but without a script.
  • It is believed that they were originally from Tamil Nadu and later migrated to Idukki during the period of Poonjar Rajavamsham (kings).
• Nearly 97 percent of the Mannan community’s population reside in Idukki District.
  • Though they used to stay in remote forests, they were forced to migrate to plots allotted by the government at the outskirts of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, a few decades back, following a government ban on deforestation in the preserved area.
• They follow a matrilineal system of descent, and their ruler, the Raja Mannan, is elected by community headmen from among those eligible by heredity. 
• Their primary occupation is agriculture, including coconut harvesting, cultivation of herbs, etc. 
• They practice Hinduism.
• Their main celebrations include the Kalavoot, Meenoot and Mutthiamman Festival.
• Mannankoothu is a unique ritual art form performed by the Mannans. The art form is staged mainly during worship, harvest times and weddings. 

Source: TH

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Mannan Community FAQs

Q1. Which is the smallest tribe in Kerala?

Ans. Kochu Velan and Ten Kurumban are the smallest groups each with less than 50 population.

Q2. Which tribe is most in Kerala?

Ans. The largest tribal community in Kerala is the Paniyan tribe.

Q3. Which tribe is most in India?

Ans. The Bhil tribe is the largest tribal group in India

Q4. Are Adivasis Hindu?

Ans. Adivasis have been included as persons professing the Hindu religion in the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955.