Karnataka: Schedule Tribes | KPSC KAS Preparation: All subjects - KPSC KAS (Karnataka) PDF Download

Introduction

• Geographically, Karnataka is located in the central tableland of the Deccan Plateau. It has been referred to as an anthropological museum due to its diverse population with different racial traits. Apart from the Dravidians and Indo-Aryan races, Karnataka also houses other significant categories of people. 
• The tribes of Karnataka have captivated the interest of numerous anthropologists due to their rich and varied cultural elements. Through extensive research on the lifestyle, culture, and traditions of these tribes, important insights have been gleaned. This unit provides a general overview of tribal life in Karnataka, shedding light on some key tribes.

Tribes of Karnataka

According to the 2011 Census, Karnataka has a total area of 191,791 sq km and a population of 61,095,297, with 30,966,657 males and 30,128,640 females.

Tribal Demographics

• Karnataka’s tribal population makes up 7% of India’s total tribal population.
• The state has 101 Scheduled Castes and 50 Scheduled Tribes.
• A significant portion of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes live in rural areas.
• The tribal population increased from 1,915,691 in 1991 to 4,248,987 in 2001, reflecting an 80.8% growth rate over the decade. This increase is primarily due to the inclusion of several new tribes in the Scheduled Tribes category, rather than a surge in fertility rates.

Cultural Aspects of Tribals in Karnataka

• The tribes of Karnataka primarily reside in hilly and mountainous regions and speak various languages, with Kannada being the most prevalent. Many tribes also use languages such as Malayalam and Hindi. While Hinduism is the dominant religion among these tribes, a few have adopted Islam or Christianity.
• Each tribal community in Karnataka has its own distinct traditions and cultural practices. Many tribes speak their local dialects and follow unique customs. Some tribes, like the Coorgs and Kodavas, are known for their distinct cultural and traditional identities. Festivals and fairs play a significant role in their culture. Tribal communities are recognized for their traditional costumes, cultural habits, folk dances, songs, and celebration of various festivals.
• One notable traditional performance is the Bayalataa, an open-air folk theatre that includes dance-dramas with four or five actors, guided by a jester. These performances often feature mythological stories but can also depict real-life events. Bayalataa is performed during religious festivals and social gatherings, usually starting in the evening and continuing late into the night. Other popular dance forms include Yakshagana and Doddata, which often portray episodes from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. These dances are characterized by elaborate costumes, bold makeup, expressive gestures, and dramatic sound effects.
• Several tribal communities in Karnataka are noteworthy:
  • Bedar Tribe: Also known by names like Beda, Berad, Boya, and Bendar.
  • Hakkipikki Tribe: Known for its historical connection to Ranaprathap Singh.
  • Jenu Kuruba Tribe: Recognized for their unique profession, language, and lifestyle.
  • Kadu Kuruba Tribe: Notable for their traditional worship of stones and lively festivals.
  • Kattunayakan Tribe: Considered descendants of the Pallavas, known for their food collection practices and religious values.
  • Konda Kapus Tribe: A scheduled tribe with a rich cultural heritage.
  • Sholaga Tribe: Part of the Kannada group, speaking the Sholaga language and following Hinduism.
• Historically, tribal economies were based on subsistence agriculture, hunting, and gathering. However, as land was treated as a communal resource, many tribes lost their lands due to the exploitation of forest resources, leading to their transition to small-scale agriculture or marginal landholding. This loss has impacted their traditional ways of life.
• To gain a deeper understanding of the tribal life in Karnataka, it is essential to explore the social and cultural aspects of these main tribes.

1. Toda Tribe of Karnataka

• The Toda tribe of Karnataka is known for its distinctive houses, traditional costumes, and rich cultural heritage. Historically, the Todas have lived in harmony with other local tribes, such as the Badaga, Kota, and Kurumba.
• The Todas are primarily a pastoral community, raising buffaloes that graze on the Nilgiri hills. Their lifestyle is simple, and their physical appearance, with flowing beards, long hair, and tall sticks, evokes a prophetic presence reminiscent of the Old Testament figures. They measure time by the blooming of the evening primrose, referred to as the ‘six o’clock flower’.
• The Toda people speak the Toda language, which belongs to the Dravidian language family and features complex phonology. They also use Tamil, the script of which is employed in their writing.
• Historically, the Todas lived in isolation in the rugged Nilgiri region until around 1823. John Sullivan, an administrator from Coimbatore, admired their settlement and purchased it, founding the town of Udagamandalam. This increased contact with the modern world led to significant changes in their lifestyle. The areas where the Todas reside are now part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve.
• Religiously, the Todas are deeply spiritual, venerating their dairy buffaloes and worshipping a variety of deities. The primary religious event is the Kona Shastra, involving the annual sacrifice of a male buffalo calf.
• The Toda society is structured with a focus on monogamy and child marriage, with marriages typically arranged through negotiation or elopement. Bride prices are paid in both cash and kind, and residence is patrilocal. Divorce and remarriage are accepted. Toda women contribute to agriculture, cattle tending, fuel collection, and water fetching. Pregnant women are temporarily separated due to traditional beliefs about pollution. Marriages are conducted at the bride’s home, and funeral rites are elaborate, including buffalo sacrifices and ancestor worship.
• Occupationally, the Todas are predominantly engaged in cattle rearing and dairy farming, relying on milk products for their livelihood. They have also developed skills in silver making and, more recently, have taken up commercial agriculture, including growing vegetables like potatoes and cabbages.
• The Toda community has a positive outlook towards formal education, leading to improvements in literacy rates. They use modern allopathic medicine alongside traditional Kurumba remedies and other indigenous healthcare methods. They benefit from hill area development programs and rural economic projects. They use wood as a domestic fuel and irrigate their arable land through various methods, including lift irrigation and rainwater. Organic manure, chemical fertilizers, and insecticides are used in agriculture. While they benefit from midday meal schemes, child development programs, and public distribution systems, they often rely on moneylenders and shopkeepers for financial needs due to a less positive attitude towards savings.

2. Jenu Kuruba Tribe

• The Jenu Kuruba tribe of Karnataka originally inhabits the forested regions of the Western Ghats. Their name, derived from the Kannada words "Jenu" (honey) and "Kuruba" (caste), reflects their traditional practice of honey gathering. They are predominantly found in the Kodagu and Mysore districts. They speak a dialect called Jenu Nudi, which is a variation of Kannada, and use the Kannada script.
• Historically, the Jenu Kuruba people settled in southern India after the fall of the Pallava dynasty. They have since become small landholders and cultivators. Their long isolation in forested areas has fostered a unique culture and way of life.
• In their social structure, adult marriages are preferred, and alliances are typically arranged through negotiation. The community practices monogamy, though divorce is permitted for both genders, and remarriage for widows, widowers, and divorcees is allowed. Women actively contribute to the family’s economic activities but are restricted from participating in the worship of certain deities. The tribe buries its dead and observes a twelve-day period of ritual impurity.
• The Jenu Kuruba lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle, engaging in traditional food collection and shifting cultivation. They use bamboo spears instead of plows for farming. Their housing, known as Hadi or Hatti, consists of small, simple structures that reflect their traditional lifestyle.
• Education is valued among the Jenu Kuruba, especially for boys, and somewhat for girls. However, economic challenges lead to a high dropout rate. Residential schools provide primary education, and both traditional and modern medical practices are used. Their attitude toward family planning is not very supportive. Basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, roads, and postal services are available, and government-provided housing is in place. However, the community generally does not embrace saving practices and relies on moneylenders and shopkeepers for loans.

3. Bedar Tribe

• The Bedar tribe, also known by various names such as Beda, Berad, Boya, Bendar, and Berar, is a prominent community in Karnataka. They are part of the Dravidian language family and are found in different regions of Karnataka. Historically, they were also referred to as Ramoshi, Talwar, Byadar, and Valmiki.
• The name "Bedar" is derived from the Kannada word "bed" or "bedaru," meaning hunter. Some sources trace their ancestry to the Pindaris, while others suggest they might be descendants of the Tirole Kunbis. The term "Bedar" is believed to signify "without fear." In their social structure, Hindus in this community are called Bedar, while Muslims are referred to as Berad. They prefer to identify as Naikwadi, indicating their role as village watchmen or policemen.
• The Bedar community is divided into six social groups and engages in various occupations, including farming, security work, stonecutting, and trade. They are also involved in roles such as servants, messengers, police, and soldiers. The community is diverse, with sub-groups including Maratha, Kande, and Telugu Bedars, each maintaining unique customs and traditions. They consume meat and alcohol as part of their lifestyle.
• Marriage is highly valued in Bedar society. Marriages are typically arranged by the bridegroom’s family, with child marriages being common. However, the bride does not live with her husband until she reaches puberty. Marriages within sub-groups are prohibited. The community allows widow remarriage and divorce. Disputes are often settled with the assistance of the village headmen, known as Kattimani.
• The Bedar tribe has a strong connection to religious and spiritual practices, including fortune telling, magic, and astrology. Brahmins traditionally serve as priests, though Lingayat Mathpatis also perform this role in some areas. Both Hinduism and Islam are practiced among the Bedar, with deities such as Janai, Jokhai, Khandoba, and Hanmappa being worshipped. They create images of deities from materials like silver, copper, and brass.
• Culturally, the Bedar community is known for its traditional attire and jewelry. Both men and women adorn themselves with silver and gold ornaments, including bracelets, waist girdles, and earrings. Women often wear their hair in loose knots and additional ornaments like nose rings and necklaces. Tattooing is a notable custom, with designs placed on the forehead, eyes, and forearms.
• The Bedar people celebrate various Hindu festivals such as Diwali, Dussehra, and Holi with traditional songs and dances. The community has a conventional headman or guru and observes various rites, rituals, and customs. Basavis, a group of Bedar women, live in temple premises and participate in religious ceremonies, marking their spiritual dedication.

4. Hakkipikki Tribe

• The Hakkipikki tribe's name originates from their traditional occupation of bird catching: "hakki" means bird in Kannada, and "pikki" is an echo formation. Their titles include Singh, Rao, and Appa. They are mainly found in the districts of Mysore, Kolar, Shimoga, and Hassan in Karnataka. They speak Vaghari, an Indo-Aryan language, at home and Kannada with outsiders. They also understand Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi and use the Kannada script.
• Historically, the Hakkipikki are considered a Kshatriya or warrior community who established themselves after being defeated by the Mughals. They are semi-nomadic and are divided into four clans: Gujratia, Kaliwala, Mewara, and Panwara. Among these, Gujratia holds the highest status, while Mewara is considered the lowest.
• Marriage among the Hakkipikki is typically arranged through negotiation, though exchanges and elopements also occur. Monogamy is common, though polygyny is sometimes practiced. Bride price is paid in cash, and patrilocal residence is followed after marriage. Divorce is allowed for reasons such as adultery or maladjustment, and remarriage of widows, widowers, and divorcees is permitted. There has been a recent trend of increasing the marriage age. Women are involved in all economic, social, and ritual activities, contributing significantly to the family income. A phulwanti ceremony marks a girl’s puberty, and death rituals include burial and twelve days of death pollution with ancestor worship.
• Traditionally, the Hakkipikki were bird catchers and gatherers of forest produce. Many lead a nomadic lifestyle, moving from village to village and selling cosmetics. Some now engage in hunting, settle as cultivators, or work as agricultural laborers, peons, and clerks. They follow matriarchal practices, with women often managing the family when men are away. Hakkipikki women are skilled in bead polishing, decorative flower arrangements, and vase making.
• The tribe is deeply religious, worshipping various deities including Goddess Chamundeshwari, Dadaji, Jogan, Vikhli, Nokor, and Dugao-Kalka. They follow Hinduism but also incorporate other religious beliefs and rituals. Formal education is not widely favored, especially for girls, but some children attend school, with a few boys reaching secondary level and some girls reaching primary level. The community uses both traditional and modern medicines.

5. Sholaga Tribe

• In Karnataka, the Sholaga tribe is also known by the title Gowda, which means headman. They are primarily found in the hilly regions of Mysore district. They speak a Dravidian dialect of Kannada among themselves, while the Urali Soliga division uses the Soliga language for intra-group communication and Kannada for communication with outsiders. The Kannada script is used for writing. The tribe has various alternative names, including Solanayakkans, Sholiga, Solaga, Kadu Sholigar, Sholigar, Soligar, and Sholanayika. According to the Indian Constitution, the Sholaga are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe and belong to the Kannada group.
• Adult marriage is common, with marriages generally arranged by negotiation. Divorce is allowed for reasons such as adultery or maladjustment, and remarriage of widows, widowers, and divorcees is permitted. Women in the community are involved in fetching water, collecting fuel and tubers, participating in social and ritual activities, and contributing to the family income. Death rituals involve burial, and ancestors are honored annually.
• Traditionally, the Sholaga practiced shifting cultivation and collected minor forest produce. Today, many have shifted to forest and agricultural labor, with some becoming landowning cultivators. Agriculture is now a major occupation, and many still gather forest products.
• The Sholaga are deeply religious, predominantly practicing Hinduism. They worship deities such as Karayya, Kyatedevaru, Jadeswamy, and their regional deity Mahadeswar. They celebrate traditional festivals like Rotti Habba and Mane Devera Habba. There are residential schools in Sholaga areas providing primary education, and the community generally supports formal education, although some children drop out due to social and economic reasons. They use both traditional and modern healthcare systems.

Present Scenario of Tribes in Karnataka

• Demographic Profile: According to the 2011 Census, Karnataka had a Scheduled Tribe (ST) population of 4,248,987, which constitutes about 6.6% of the state's total population. This includes 3,429,791 people living in rural areas and 819,196 in urban areas.
• Sex Ratio: The sex ratio for the ST population in Karnataka is 990, which is higher than the state average of 973 reported in 2011. This represents an improvement from the 961 sex ratio in the 1991 Census. Both the overall sex ratio and the child sex ratio (ages 0-6) for the ST population are similar to national figures. However, certain tribes, like the Gond and Koli Dhor, have lower sex ratios compared to both the state ST population and other major ST groups.
• Work Participation Rate (WPR): The work participation rate (WPR) for ST populations stands at 50.3% as per the 2011 Census, which is higher than the state average of 45.6%. This rate has increased from 47.8% reported in 1991.
• Marital Status: Marital status data shows that 46.14% of the ST population in Karnataka is 'never married,' 47.47% are 'currently married,' 15.83% are 'widowed,' and only 0.16% are 'divorced and separated.' Marital status significantly influences fertility rates and population growth.
• Literacy Rate: The literacy rate among STs in Karnataka is concerning. It was 48.3% in 2001 and increased to 62.1% in 2011. However, this is still lower compared to the state average, which rose from 66.6% to 75.36% in the same period. Although there has been some improvement, the literacy rate for STs remains significantly below the general population's rate. The ST literacy rate in 2011 was lower than the total population's literacy rate in 2001, indicating a lag of over a decade. The literacy rate for women has improved faster than for men, yet it remains much lower than the average literacy rate for women in Karnataka.
• Religion: Hinduism is the predominant religion among the ST population in Karnataka. According to the 2001 Census, 98.17% of STs identify as Hindus, while 1% are Muslims. The rest belong to other religions or have not stated their religion.
• Education and Health: The literacy rate for STs is a significant concern due to their lower educational attainment compared to the general population. Unequal access to schooling is compounded by the fact that ST children often spend less time in school. Additionally, the decline in access to traditional forest resources has negatively impacted nutrition among ST populations, leading to poor health outcomes.

Conclusion

We began our unit with an overview of the tribes in Karnataka, including their demographic profile and cultural aspects. We then delved into the major tribes of Karnataka, examining their characteristics and lifestyles. Finally, we concluded with an update on the current status of these tribes, based on the 2011 Census data, which highlights the progress and ongoing challenges faced by these communities.