“KADAR” WOMEN

We were fortunate to spot some of the women belonging to the scheduled tribes namely, ‘Kadar’ and ‘Nayadikal’. They were a section of the tribewomen in Malappuram District. They were engaged in our estate to cut down the wild shrub trees beneath the rubber plantation. Though they were darkskinned they looked gorgeous; the red and black stone jewelery they wore covered their whole neck and nape and part of the chest but failed to envelop the contours of their body. Their loins were clad in a short dhoti, the common working attire. They were armed with a ‘Koduval’, a large sickle, and a long stick, which helped them penetrate and cut the thorny bushes. They were illiterate; socially, culturally and economically backward. I listened to their conversation. ‘Ammachi’ told me that their dialect had more affinity to Tamil than Malayalam language. They were very attached to our ‘Valliammachi’, grandmother, who used to help them in their financial difficulties. They gladly took the tapioca, plantains, clothing and the money she gave them.

‘Valliammachi’ told us that in return they help her in cultivating paddy. I have also seen these tribewomen gathering firewood, bundling and carrying a heavy load on their heads to the market at Manjeri. There they sell it and buy their provisions. This was during a time when gas stoves and electric stoves were not at all a common gadget in every household. The tribemen normally go to the woods, collect certain roots, underground-stems, leaves, fruits and nuts for food. They have a vast knowledge about herbal medicines too. They love hunting. Their main targets were rats, rabbits, birds and other small animals. In the evenings they would feast on their game to the accompaniment of music, dance and country liquor, an inevitable adjunct. The tribeswomen used to supply us with virgin honey, which their tribesmen collected from the forest. ‘Valliammachi’ really appreciated this token of gratitude from them. They loved to hear the radio emitting sweet music. Squinting from behind the golden-rimmed eyeglasses, ‘Valliammachi’ would direct Kunjamma occasionally, to entertain them by operating the record player which emanated music. They were fascinated by this new electronic device which played all their favourite songs. I observed their hands and legs moved according to the tune and rhythm as they blissfully enjoyed the music.

I reliably learned that these tribal groups were one of the original populations, who occupied the Malabar Coast. There were a few other similar original Dravidian populations like  the  ‘Malayars’, ‘Kurumbars’, and ‘Kurichiyars’ whose settlements are located in various pockets of the Sahyadri Mountains and hills in the states of Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Goa. Some of these tribal groups regularly participate in the “Bharani” festival conducted in the Bhagavathy Temple at Kodungallur (Muzuris), which was their family deity. They lost their wars with the later invaders like the ‘Nambuthiris’ and ‘Nairs’, who came to Kerala in the beginning of A.D. and these unorganized Dravidas found their abode deep inside the forest. They lost their culture and civilization in due course of time. The central and the state governments are duty bound to provide food, clothing, shelter, compulsory education for their young ones, medical help and adequate protection to their life, honour and property in order to bring them back to the main stream to share the wealth and glory of this great country. 

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

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