Soliga Tribes

Soliga Tribe Latest News

Recently, the Prime Minister of India made a reference to the Soliga Tribal people of BRT Tiger Reserve in the 119th edition of Mann Ki Baat and appreciated their contribution to tiger conservation. 

About Soliga Tribes

• They are a group of indigenous, forest-dwelling people found mostly in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
• The term “Soliga” literally translates to “children of bamboo”, which reflects the tribe’s relationship with nature and their belief that they too have emerged from it.
• They reside in the peripheral forest areas near Biligiri Rangana Hills and Male Mahadeshwara Hills.
• Soligas was the first tribal community living inside a tiger reserve and getting their forest rights recognised by a court in a judgment in 2011.
• Language of Soliga Tribes : The Dravidian language sholaga is spoken by the Soliga. They also speak Kannada and Tamil.
• The Soligas live in single-room huts, built of bamboo and mud.
• They believe in coexisting with the environment and have indigenous ways of using nature to make unique utility products, such as the ‘jottai’, which is a cup made out of leaves.
• Religion of Soliga Tribes : Along with adhering to Hindu customs, the Soliga people practice naturism and animism.

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Economy of Soliga Tribes

• The traditional economy of the Soliga is mostly based on shifting cultivation and collection of minor forest produce.
• Honey is an important part of the diet for the Soliga people, who still forage large parts of their food from the biodiversity-rich Ghats.

Soliga Tribe FAQs

Q1. Which caste is Soliga?

Ans. Soligaru, more popularly known as Soliga, is a Scheduled Tribe of Mysore State.

Q2. What language do the Soliga tribe speak?

Ans. Sholaga

Q3. What is the population of Soliga?

Ans. According to the 2011 Census, the population of Soliga is about 33,871 in Karnataka and 5,965 in Tamil Nadu. 

Source: TH