Toda Tribe

Table of Contents☰

About Toda Tribe:

It is one of the oldest ethnic groups residing in the Upper Nilgiris plateau in Tamil Nadu.
The Todas are divided into five clans, namely: Paiki, Pekkan, Kuttan, Kenna and Todi.
Language: They have their own language, which does not have a script.
They live in a closed community or hamlet called mund.
Society:
- It is a patrilineage descent group whose membership is based upon a rule of patrilineal descent. Their community is divided into two endogamous groups, namely Tharthazoll and Theveioll.
- To maintain the social harmony or solidarity among the Toda tribal population of Todas are controlled for many generations by their own traditional Government called ‘Noim’.
- This Noim is headed by a Toda tribal head-man called Monegar. He has the full power to control the Todas and he also dispenses justice in the Toda community
Occupation: This tribe is largely dependent on buffalo herding and embroidery for its livelihood.
Its members are incredibly skilled artisans known for the red-and-black embroidery on white fabrics that has even earned them a GI (geographical indication) tag.
Festival: They celebrate ‘Modhweth’ festival, which is also called buffalo festival every year during the last Sunday of December or on the first Sunday of January.