{"id":118068,"date":"2026-08-08T17:19:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T11:49:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=118068"},"modified":"2026-08-08T17:19:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T11:49:15","slug":"tribes-of-tamil-nadu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/tribes-of-tamil-nadu\/","title":{"rendered":"Tribes of Tamil Nadu, Name List, PVTGs, Development Measures"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Tribes of Tamil Nadu<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> form an important part of the state\u2019s social and cultural diversity. According to the 2011 Census, Tamil Nadu had 794,697 Scheduled Tribe population. Scheduled Tribes accounted for 1.1% of the state\u2019s total population. Major tribal areas include the Nilgiris, Jawadhu Hills, Kalrayan Hills, Kolli Hills, Yercaud, Anamalai and Palani Hills.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Tribes of Tamil Nadu<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>Tribes of Tamil Nadu <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are mainly concentrated in hilly, forested and plain regions. The state has 36 Scheduled Tribe groups living across 38 districts. Their occupations, food habits, languages and religious practices reflect close links with forests, hills and natural resources. Important communities include Malayali, Toda, Kota, Kurumba, Irular, Paniyan, Kattunayakan, Kadar and Palliyan. These communities have preserved distinct cultural traditions despite gradual social and economic changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>List of Major Tribes of Tamil Nadu 2026<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The major Tribes of Tamil Nadu show wide variation in settlement, occupation, food, language, religious practices and interaction with forests.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Malayali<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Malayali are among the major tribal communities and are associated with hill regions including the Jawadhu Hills, Elagiri Hills, Kalrayan Hills and Kolli Hills.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agriculture and forest based activities are important.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Toda<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toda communities are mainly associated with the Nilgiris. They traditionally practise dairy based pastoral activities and commercial <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/agriculture-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>agriculture<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cabbage and potatoes are important cultivated crops.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They largely follow a vegetarian food pattern.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Kota<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kota communities are closely associated with the Nilgiris. Traditional occupations include <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/pottery-tradition-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>pottery<\/strong><\/a>, carpentry and blacksmith work.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their staple food includes ragi, samai, wheat and rice.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They also consume various non vegetarian foods.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Kurumba<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kurumbas include groups such as Betta Kurumbas, Jenu or Teen Kurumbas, Mullu Kurumbas and Urali Kurumbas.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditional livelihoods include hunting, food gathering and forest based activities.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ragi, bamboo seeds, edible roots and wild yams are important foods.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Irular<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>T<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">he Irular are traditionally linked with forests and hill areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rat and snake catching, <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/indias-fisheries-sector\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>fishing<\/strong><\/a> and forest based activities have been important occupations.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their diet includes rice, ragi, pulses, vegetables, roots and different animal foods.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Paniyan<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Paniyan are associated mainly with agricultural and forest environments.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their traditional food includes tapioca, vegetables, roots, fish and animal flesh.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tea, coffee, toddy and other beverages also form part of their food culture.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Kattunayakan<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kattunayakan means \u201cChief of the forest\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditional occupations include hunting, food gathering and collection of honey and wax.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ragi and millets are important staples, along with pulses, vegetables, roots, tubers and fruits.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Kadar<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kadar communities have traditionally maintained strong links with forests.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forest resources, food gathering and knowledge of the natural environment have played an important role in their traditional livelihood and cultural practices.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Palliyan<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Palliyans are traditionally associated with forest environments and forest based food gathering.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Honey collection is an important traditional activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seasonal availability strongly influences their food habits and use of natural resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Kanikkar<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kanikkar are among the recognised <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/scheduled-tribes\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Scheduled Tribe<\/strong><\/a> communities of Tamil Nadu.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their traditional life is closely linked with forest and hill environments, where natural resources have historically supported livelihood and subsistence.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Muthuvan<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muthuvan communities are associated with hilly forest regions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their traditional lifestyle reflects dependence on agriculture, forests and locally available resources.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their cultural practices have developed in close association with the surrounding mountain environment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Sholagar<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sholagar communities traditionally depend on forest surroundings and natural resources.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their food and livelihood patterns reflect seasonal availability of plants, roots, forest products and other resources found in their local environment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Mala Malasar<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mala Malasar communities are traditionally associated with forest and hill areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their livelihood has historically included forest based activities and collection of naturally available resources for food and household needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Urali<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urali communities are among the recognised Scheduled Tribe groups of Tamil Nadu.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their traditional livelihood and cultural practices are connected with hill environments, forests, agriculture and locally available natural resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Palliyar<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Palliyar communities have traditionally depended on forest resources and seasonal food gathering.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their food culture includes naturally available products, showing the wider relationship between southern tribal communities and their surrounding ecosystems.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Other Tribes<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adiyan, Aranadan, Eravallan, Kammara, Kaniyan, Kochuvelan, Konda Kapus, Konda Reddi, Koraga, Kudiya, Kurichchan, Kurumans, Malai Arayan, Malai Pandaram, Malai Vedan, Malakkuravan, Malaekandi, Mannan, Mudugar, Palleyan, Narikoravan, Kuruvikkaran and other listed communities add further diversity to the tribal population.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Tamil Nadu<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tamil Nadu has 6 <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/particularly-vulnerable-tribal-groups-pvtgs\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups<\/strong><\/a> identified for focused welfare, livelihood support, infrastructure development and protection of their traditional ways of life.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>List of PVTGs in Tamil Nadu: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toda, Kota, Kurumbas, Irular, Paniyan and Kattunayakan are the six PVTGs of Tamil Nadu. They are mainly associated with the Nilgiris and adjoining hilly areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Population and livelihood status: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These communities have historically shown population decline or stagnancy in the state. Many depend on traditional occupations, forest resources and pre agricultural methods of cultivation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Economic vulnerability:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Low income, limited infrastructure and dependence on natural resources have contributed to economic backwardness among several PVTG communities. Agricultural and cattle development are important welfare measures.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Development objective:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> PVTG welfare programmes aim to improve income, agriculture, livestock, infrastructure and access to basic services while supporting the overall development of vulnerable tribal settlements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Health and social challenges: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited medical facilities, sanitation problems, <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/poverty-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>poverty<\/strong><\/a> and low awareness can affect tribal health. Traditional medicinal knowledge based on locally available plants remains important in several communities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Tribes of Tamil Nadu Development Measures<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several initiatives and measures associated with the development of the Tribes in Tamil Nadu are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Housing and basic facilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Government grants support traditional house construction, drinking water facilities, street lights, roads, bore wells and other basic infrastructure in PVTG settlements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Livelihood support: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Development measures include distribution of milch animals, fishing nets, two wheelers, beehive boxes and support for economic activities suited to local conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Irrigation development: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check dams and other irrigation facilities are developed to improve agricultural opportunities. Brick kilns and related livelihood activities are also supported under development programmes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Education facilities: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A school building was planned for the EMR School started in June 2018 at Pattipulam in Kancheepuram District. Such facilities aim to improve access to education.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nilgiris connectivity: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two Eicher Cab shuttle services were provided in the Nilgiris District to help people and students travel between hill settlements and plain areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Tribes of Tamil Nadu Significance<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The significance of Tribes of Tamil Nadu extends across culture, ecology, traditional knowledge, food systems, livelihoods and conservation of local heritage.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cultural diversity: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tribal communities preserve distinct customs, rituals, languages, social practices, religious traditions and food systems. Their traditions contribute substantially to Tamil Nadu\u2019s diverse cultural heritage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tribal food culture: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seasonal cereals, mushrooms, potatoes, yams, vegetables, greens, roots and tubers form important food sources. Fish, crabs, snails and other animal foods are also traditionally consumed by several communities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Honey and forest foods: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Honey is an important traditional food and livelihood product. Communities such as the Palliyans have traditionally collected honey from forests. It is valued for its long shelf life and nutritional properties.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Traditional medicine: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several tribal communities possess knowledge of medicinal plants used traditionally for conditions such as cough, fever, indigestion, jaundice, joint pain, skin problems, wounds and stomach disorders.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Religious practices: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tribal religious traditions commonly involve nature, mountains, trees, animals and local deities. Toda worship includes Shiva and mountains, while Kota traditions include reverence for fire, moon and nature.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Languages: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most tribal languages belong to the Dravidian language family. Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and other regional linguistic influences are found among different communities according to their geographical location.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Economic contribution: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agriculture, forest produce collection, honey and wax collection, pottery, carpentry, blacksmithing, fishing and other traditional occupations support tribal livelihoods and contribute to local rural economies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Geographical importance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tribal settlements occur across major hill systems including Jawadhu, Elagiri, Kalrayan, Pachamalai, Kolli, Yercaud, Sitteri, Anamalai, Palani, Elumalai and Varshanad Hills.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Heritage conservation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The continued preservation of tribal languages, food traditions, crafts, rituals and ecological knowledge is important for protecting the living cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tribes of Tamil Nadu include Malayali, Toda, Kota, Kurumba, Irular, Paniyan and Kattunayakan, highlighting their culture, livelihoods, traditions, PVTGs and tribal heritage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":118074,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[9402,9401,9400],"class_list":["post-118068","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-general-studies","tag-tribal-heritage","tag-tribes-of-india","tag-tribes-of-tamil-nadu","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118068"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118068\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":118081,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118068\/revisions\/118081"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/118074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}