The Tribal people, the primitive inhabitants of Kerala are unique examples of communities still preserving their life. Though adapted to different dialects and customs, their artistic expression evidently reflects the distinct, secluded and primitive social structure.
There are 35 major tribes in Kerala and out of these Paniyar are the largest. The major tribes in Kerala are Adiyan, Aranda, Eravallan, Mala Pulayan, Irular, Kadar, Kanikkaran, Karimpalan, Kattunayakan, Kochuvelan, Koranga, Kudiya, Kurichchan, Kurumans, Kurumbas, Mahamalarar, Malai Arayan, Malai Pandaran, Vedan, Malakkuravan, Malarar, Malayan, Malayarayar, Mannan, Muthuvan, Paliyar Paniyan, Ulladan, Urdy, Mala Vettuvan, Kurumban, Thachenadan, Cholanaickan Malapanickar, and Vettakuruman.
Tribal rituals and customs were based on the rules of forest gods and goddesses and the beliefs, rituals rites practices, etc. ensured a balance between human needs and environmental preservation. Tribes lived on the forest products and in return they cared for the forest. From the beginning itself forest has been an integral part of the tribal lives. For each and everything they depended on forest and it is the main source of their livelihood. Social culture of tribes is rooted in forest. Their houses are made out of raw materials availed in forest such as bamboo, palm leaves, forest clay, etc. Cow dung is used to polish walls and floors of houses.
Tribal culture is marked with the traits of simple ways of living, warm hospitality and unique practices. All tribes have their own god and goddesses and believe in super natural forces and spirits. Some tribe’s shares patriarchal culture and some are matriarchal. Some are either migrated from another place or the original inhabitants of the land. They have their own unique customs, practices, dialect, dressing style, food habits, agricultural practices, economic activities, politics etc.
Tribal economy based on forest and forest products and agriculture. Agriculture has been the primary source of subsistence for tribes of Kerala. They practiced shifting cultivation, which entails cutting down the vegetation in the given area of land and burning it when it becomes dry. The farmers will scatter seeds at the beginning of the rainy season and continue to grow until the rainy season is over. After using one or two season they leave the land to left back the original vegetation. This type of agriculture is necessary because it does not require extreme amount of maintenance.
Tribes speak some form of Malayalam containing features distinct from the regional dialects. They speak not only the dialects of Malayalam but also dialects of Tamil (in idukki, Palakkad, Kollam and Thiruvanthapuram regions), Kannada and Tulu languages (in Wayanad and Kasaragode regions). The speech form of tribes residing in hilly regions and those who live in close association with the natives are divergent.
Music and dances form an integral part of tribal culture. Contributions of tribal brethren to the folklore literature are many. Tribal folklore is the reflection of their cultural ethos. The songs, dance and folktales provide testimonies to the tribal cultural antiquity. Tribal group have realized the need for preserving nature and plant life on the earth. Their vision about the protection of environment is visible in their songs and folklores. Based on the nature, need and context, the performance of songs and dances can be divided into religious and folk. There is music and dance at celebration of various life cycle rituals and other festive occasions. Drums are the common musical instruments. Almost everyone present participates in the music and dances and they are totally involved in an experience that integrates their joys, agonies, ambitions hopes and fears.
The usual attire of tribe in general was a short loin cloth. Later a piece of cloth was used to cover the upper body. Some tribal women wore a loincloth reaching to the knee and another cloth over the chest. Some tribe wore a dhoti upto the knees and a cloth tied across the left shoulder to cover the breast. Some wore chela (sari). Many changes have taken place in the traditional dressing habits from Maravuri (tree bark) and leafy garmets to the modern clothing style. The impact of modern habits and contact with people of other communities brought a more or less uniform dressing pattern among tribal. Many of the tribal groups are non-vegetarians and eat all kinds of meat, excepting a few. Rice Ragi, roots and tubers are generally consumed. They use pulses and vegetables moderately. Oil is rarely used. Fruits are consumed in plenty during the season. However, consumption of non-vegetarian food has decreased.
Tribal religion is characterized by belief in a generalized invisible power such as forces of nature and natural objects like hills, streams, caves, trees, animals etc. Their religion can be classified into three categories such as (1) animist (nature worship as stated above), worshippers of ancestral spirits or supernatural beings such as tribal deities or ghosts and (3) worshippers of Hindu deities. Family or clan deities exist among all tribal communities. Priests, ritualist and curative agents (witch doctor) are religious functionaries. They are concerned with the performance of religious functions, worship and social ceremonies such as birth, marriage, death etc. They are also associated with curing of diseases and worship of malevolent deities. Some tribal groups worship Hindu Gods and Goddess (Eg. Valliyoorkkavu festival at Wayanad, worship of Lord Siva at Malleswaran Peak, Lord Sastha/Ayyappa at Sabarimala).
The Tribal village organizations comprised of small groups of familes based on hamlet or settlements known as Padi, Kudi, Janmam, Koottam, Nad, Koyma etc. Each unit is headed by a chieftain. Some major tribe groups have wider tribal councils covering the whole community. Tribal customary laws guided by social interactions.