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The Kadar tribes popularly known as "Kochi Kadar' are found both in Palakkad and Trissoor districts. Kadars are also seen in the Western ghat regions of Combaitore district in Tamil Nadu. In Palakkad district their area of habitation are in the parambikulam, Kuriyarkutty, Nelliyampathy and Kodassery forest areas of Chittoor taluk. Vazhachal, Mukundapuram and peringalkuthu are the forest areas where kadars are seen in Trissoor district |
| In Olden times kadars used to live in Kin groups consisting of 3 to 10 families. They were nomadic in nature and subsisted mainly on forest produce collections. They make temporary leaf shelters for their stay in forests for the purpose of minor forest produce collection. Now-a-days the kadar are seen leading a settled life except a few families. The huts of kadars are weak structure with wooden poles, mud and bamboo
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Kadars were in the habit of using bamboo nodes for carrying water. Now-a- days they use aluminium and earthen pots for this purpose. The custom of chipping of incisor tooth was common among kadars. Even now they are doing it. In olden days they wear leaf and bark cloths. Now-a-days kadar men are using shirts, dothis etc. and women are using sari and blouse
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| Kadars are non-vegetarians. Their staple food is rice. Now they are using all kinds of food items, except buffalo and beef meat. They are experts in hunting wild animals.
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In every Kadar settlement a headman viz, moopan is controlling the social customs of the kadars. The moopans were very powerful in olden days. It is said that they were the servants of the Royal family of Kochi.
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| Kadars are monogamous and exogamy is also seen. Polyandrous marriages are rarely seen. Cousin marriages are prevalent among them. Bride price is in existence. Now-a-days patrilineal inheritance is dominant among Kadars
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| Kadars observe pollution at childbirth, puberty and death. The dead body is buried and all the belongings of the dead are buried along with the body. They worship hindu Gods along with their ancestral spirits. Prior to go to the MFP collection they appease the Gods by fire walking and other rituals. They celebrate Onam,vishu etc. |
