Mythologies of the Irula Tribes

Irula, also known as Iruliga, are a Dravidian ethnic group inhabiting the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, and parts of Kerala and Karnataka. A scheduled tribe, their population in this region is estimated at around 200,000 people. People of Irula ethnicity are called Irular, and speak Irula, which belongs to the Dravidian languages family. The tribe numbers around 200,000 spread across three states: 189,621 in Tamil Nadu, 23,721 in Kerala and 10,259 in Karnataka. Those in Karnataka are named Iruligas. The Irulas are mainly concentrated in northern Tamil Nadu: in a wedge extending from Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts in the west to Ariyalur and Cuddalore districts in the south and Tiruvallur district in the north. Small populations live in Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts and were classified by Thurston as a different population. In Kerala, the Irulas are in Palakkad district, while in Karnataka they are concentrated in Ramanagara and Bangalore districts. The Irula people practice some sort of Animism where they primarily believe in a Goddess named Inga who lives with her 6 sisters worshipped in the form of stones under trees. The Irula people traditionally believe that these 7 sisters created the first Irula man and woman. This traditional concept of 7 Goddesses was Sanskritised as Sapta Matrika. The Irula people also believe in Ancestral Spirits, and they traditionally believe that Kannipe (spirits of virgin girls) can possess anyone. These kannipe spirits are worshipped as guardian deities of villages by Irula tribals. The Irula also believe in the presence of evil spirits known as Pe who can possess and haunt people. In order to keep these spirits away, a Rooster is sacrificed and offered to them. Many Irula people worship Hindu Gods and also take part in Hindu festivals. Some Irulas have also been converted to Christianity.

Irulars is the only Adivasi community living in Krishnagiri district; Irulars derives their name due to tilling Irulars root in the thick forests of Denkanikkottai and consume it as a delicious food. Also they are dark complexion who lead life in the forest with hunting wild animals, collecting minor forest produces and gracing animal husbandry in the forest lands, thus solely depending on the forest for their livelihood. Culturally Irulars are very non-assertive, non-vocal, and live in culture of silence with stay focus on living with nature and maintain intrinsic relationship with forests- amicable living without any conflicts with animals and confrontation with nature as they do not have any greed. They lead only simple subsistence and contented attitudes are the traits of their life. They worship trees, stone and their traditional clan goddess is Mariamman and hence they are matriarchy-based society. They are indigenous and traditional settlers of forests for many centuries. Irulars have a rich culture, heritage, traditions and values of life. They have no practice of horrendous female infanticide, orphan child, widow, dowry system, domestic violence, no extravaganza marriage celebrations performed but practice simple marriage or cohabitation of lovers without marriage. They were leading a commune life in demarcated common places in thatched houses and sleep in an open spaces, have binding traditional Panchayat system to settle the disputes and to engage in decision making for common cause. The management of home is equitably shared among men and women. There is no destitution of old age people as community members are taking care of the elderly and care of children too by extended family in case of parents expired- thus all these positive strides in the cultural domain were prevalent. However, polygamy was also prevalent in the Adivasi society for very long time. Also many values and positive features are gradually fading away now due to so- called forced mainstreaming the Adivasi community with dominant culture and values, thus depleting native culture. Irulars Adivasi community pushed into abject poverty as they do not have access to livelihood sources, they do not have enough cloth, food grain, medicine and this state of deprivation lead to poor health also. Almost all the Adivasi communities of this region basically depend on collection of Honey, Fruit, seed, medicinal plants in the forests and other forest lands related practices for the livelihood and survival. The other communities of this habitation are Lingayath’s (MBC), migrant settlers from Karnataka and though they have been classified as MBC, but they are culturally dominant forward communities. These hill dwellers of this region follow mixed culture from Tamil and Kannada.

The Irulas are indigenous people from Tamil Nadu, whose ancestry can be traced back to Africa. Traditionally, they used to live in the forest and were involved in activities such as capturing snakes and harvesting honey. However due to stringent laws and dwindling resources, many find themselves working as labourers and struggle to make ends meet. They live in mud huts with straw roofs and dirt floors, with no access to electricity. These structures were vulnerable to weather-related disasters including hurricanes, storms and droughts, underscoring the need for a pakka house. The connection of the Irula tribe to the forest remains integral to their livelihood. Environmental issues, coupled with deforestation have made things more difficult for them. To address these concerns, Grow-Trees has developed a project, Trees for Tribals®, Eastern Districts, Tamil Nadu. They have successfully planted 2,95,000 trees to revive the green cover, aiming to establish a vital lifeline for this community. =The tree species selected have been carefully chosen to maximise benefits for the Irula tribe, focusing on their nutritional value and medicinal properties. Everything serves a specific purpose: the roots act as a tonic and laxative, the flowers are utilised in treating conditions such as leprosy and skin diseases, the fruits are not only edible but also aid in promoting hair growth and treating anaemia, and the leaves are valuable as fodder for livestock. Despite residing in their new pakka houses, the Irula tribe continues to grapple with the entrenched issue of casteism, which confines them to living outside the village perimeters and even denies them entry into certain regions. This social segregation has severely limited their options for livelihood and sustenance. Grow-Trees’ tree plantation will offer some relief in the form of food sources and forest produce. Additionally, they have created opportunities for equitable employment aimed at empowering the tribe members so that they can turn their lives around.

Most Irula inhabit the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Although they form a Scheduled Tribe, the Irula are in many ways similar to their nearby Hindu caste neighbors. They have pantheistic and animistic tendencies of their own, but prolonged contact with more orthodox Hinduism has also had its indelible impact. Most Irula live in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu, where the majority are found in the Changalpattu, North Arcot, and South Arcot districts not far from Madras City. While the Irula in general merit additional fieldwork, it is only the Nilgiri Irula who are considered here. They live in the Nilgiri District in extreme northwestern Tamil Nadu, in the adjacent Coimbatore District, and in parts of Karnataka and Kerala states. Tamil Nadu is the southeasternmost state of India. It is thus a region within the tropics that is subject to westerly monsoonal rainfall, lasting mainly from mid-June through August, and to reverse monsoonal rainfall, which is heaviest from September into November. Some Nilgiri Irula occupy higher and cooler slopes, and others occupy plains that by April are hot and dry. After the Malayali (who actually are not the speakers of Malayalam in Kerala) numbered at 159,426, the Irula at 89,025 formed the second-largest Tamil Nadu tribe in the 1971 census of India. There were over 12,000 Irula in the Coimbatore District. As the Nilgiri District had some 5,200 Irula in 1971, only about 6 percent lived there. By 1971, there were altogether 106,939 Irula in south India. Depending on the criteria used, the Irula have been identified as speakers of a distinct Irula language or speakers of a dialect of Tamil. In addition, Malayalam has influenced Irula speech in Kerala, and Kannada has influenced the speech of a subgroup of Irula, called Kasaba, in Karnataka.

The Irula tribe is one of the indigenous people that reside in India. Discovering their fascinating culture can be a truly enriching experience for anyone with an interest in anthropology and cultural exploration. The unique traditions and customs of this tribe are rooted in their deep connection with the natural environment, making them a truly remarkable community.With their deep foundation in agriculture and hunting practices, the Irula tribe has managed to maintain their distinct way of life, even in the face of modernization. Their captivating social structure, beliefs, and daily practices are inspired by their reverence for nature and their coexistence with the wild animals that inhabit their land.From the way they weave baskets to the medicinal herbs they use, every aspect of the Irula tribe’s culture is infused with history, meaning, and purpose. Learning about their farming techniques, huts, and ceremonies is sure to be a humbling and immersive educational experience.If you are passionate about discovering global cultures and traditions, then a closer look at the fascinating Irula tribe undoubtedly deserves your attention. Their history, language, customs, and rituals offer a more profound meaning to the true essence of humanity. A journey into this vibrant culture’s world will leave you mesmerized and in awe; it is truly an opportunity you do not want to miss! The Irula tribe, one of the indigenous people in India, is unique in various ways. Their culture is deeply rooted in their connection with nature, making them fascinating for those who love anthropology and cultural exploration. Despite modernization, they have retained their distinct way of life based on agriculture and hunting practices. With their ancestral grounds located in the forests of the Nilgiri Hills, the Irula tribe has been able to coexist with wildlife, thanks to their knowledge about the animals that inhabit the region. They have profound knowledge of snakes, insects, and other dangerous creatures living in the forests, allowing them to live together harmoniously.