KUNDUVADIYAN – LIFE CYCLE RITUALS OF A SEMI-NOMADIC TRIBE IN WAYANAD, KERALA
Authors : Premsai TV1 & Varun Thampan2Abstract
This essay is an introduction (with special reference to lifecycle rituals) to a little known semi-nomadic tribe whose population is extremely tiny and who faces a real threat of destruction to their cultural identity. They are inhabitants of four villages namely, Meenangadi, Puthady, Pulpally and Mullankolli in Sultan Bathery taluk of Wayanad district of Kerala. They were traditionally pastoralists and mat makers. But due to change in ecology and economy, they are mostly wage laborers today. They followed matrilineal inheritance and even today, matrilineal kin has an important role in their lifecycle rituals. Eldest male of each clan is called Mooppan and his presence is mandatory for all life-cycle rituals. Kunduvadiyan is divided into five clans Vellamkolli, Irulam, Cheeyambam Polanna and Nalapadi - each of which has their own clan deities and sacred groves where they are venerated. Karinkali is a deity that is worshipped by all members of this tribe irrespective of their clan. They have close ties with other tribes also. Presence of a member from Mullukuruman, Naikan and Urali tribes is also needed during religious ceremonies. Traditionally, Kunduvadiyan lived in close proximity of Urali and Naickan. There is also a legend which traces their origin to Mullukuruman.
Key Words
Vellamkolli, Cheeyambam, Irulam, Polunna, Nalapadi, Kolkkali, Vattakkali, Kottil, Thirandu Pattu, Taravi Auru, Adichipiri, Kaikollan, Kaikollathi.
