Toda Tribe

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.

Q1: Who are Tribes?

They are groups of people who share common ancestry and beliefs, often living in close-knit communities.

Source: ETVB

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