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The kattunaikans are seen in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. They have several other names like kadu, jenu or tenkurumans. Cholanaikan is a sub group of kattunaikans. Kattunaikans are found in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu also. In olden days kattunaikans used the bark of trees for clothing and had very little contact with non-tribals. The meaning of kattunaikan is "king of jungle'. They use ornaments made of materials available in the forests. They consider the paniyans as inferior to them and observe pollution against them. The dialect of kattunaikans is a mixture of southern languages. But in Kerala they mostly speak malayalam. |
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Kattunaikans are considered as an oboriginal race of the State, There are a few legends related to their origin. One says that they are the progeny of padmakya, who was the gourmand son of a Heggade chief and a rakshasi wife. The rakshasi was the daughter of hidimba and Sumalini. Another belief is that they are the modern representatives of primitive kurumbas or pallavas, who dominated the south India till they were finally defeated by the chola king adoni in 7th centuary. There after the pallavas were forced to live in forests.
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| Kattunaikans follow the patrillineal rule of succession. They are tall and dark with curl hair. The belief that kattunaikans are the descendents of a dynasty which was glorious and supreme centuries back is more or less true as the kattunaikan children now studying in the model residential/ashram schools of the ST.Dev.Dept are showing high aptitude towards modern education.
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The huts of kattunaikans are made of bamboo, straw and grass. They usually keep footwear outside the house. Leather made of cow-skin is considered as polluting. In olden days they subsist on roots, herbs, honey etc. They also take non-vegetarian food, but avoid beef. They use alcohol occasionally.
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Aptitude for cultivation is a recent development among the kattunaikans. In olden days the Forest Department employed the kattunaikans as mahouts. Still a good number of kattunaikans are doing forest watchers job under the Forest Department. They are good hunters and very tactful in collecting MFP items like wax, honey etc. They use to breed pigs , goats, poultry etc.
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In olden days , kattunaikans worshiped trees, rocks , hills, snakes etc. They are superstitious towards unknown and known objects in the universe [note Unisom] . Their attribution towards natural objects is also profound [animistsj. Their faith in mantras, magic etc. is known. Kattunaikans having regular contact with the mainstream are worshiping hindu gods. They use to worship their traditional gods sun, moon and siva [bhairava] |
The headman among the kattunaikans is known as muttam. He is given great respect in their society. He has great powers in matters such as marriage and divorce. He also plays the role of priests and that of an oracle. |
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Kattunaikans use to marry their daughters even before puberty. Marriage by capture, purchase and by service are the three forms popular among them. In the form of purchase, bride price is fixed after negotiation and this can be given even in instalments after the marriage. Marriages by capture are run away marriages and the parents attach no stigma to it. Marriage treats and other ceremonies like exchange of betel leaf and pan are also seen. Some kattunaikans use tali [marriage badge] made of beads and shells. Marriage from relatives is in existence among a group of kattunaikans. Female cohabited with a non-tribal is always outcaste. Marriages and adultery life are considered as a social recreation by the kattunaikans. However, they observe pollution at the time of puberty & childbirth
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They give little importance to death funerals. They non-a-days bury the dead body in a deep grave with a cellar in the bottom. The body is pushed into the cellar and later filled with soil. In olden days they use to place the dead bodies on the top of rocks or trees. In this case, the bodies are eaten away by animals and birds. It is not clear if they observe pollution after death. They have no firm belief in life after death, rebirth etc. |
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