Ravula

Ravula
Kambala Dance performed by Ravula Tribals
Total population
758[1]
Regions with significant populations
 India
Karnataka400
Kerala358
Languages
Ravula • Malayalam
Religion
Animism • Hinduism

The Ravula (Adyar in Malayalam, Yerava in Kannada) are a tribal community or indigenous community in Karnataka and Kerala. Their common language is known as the Ravula language.[2] They live predominantly the Kodagu district of Karnataka along with its adjacent regions in the districts of Kannur and Wayanad in Kerala. Most of them are agricultural workers and are in the process of detribalization. It is believed that they were agricultural serfs in the past. During the annual festival at the Valliyurkkavu temple in Mananthavady, Wayand, the Adyar people gather to trade services with landlords.[3]

Their settlements are called 'Kunju.' They are monogamous, and mostly practice negotiated marriage, although there are several elopement marriages among them. They are mostly agricultural laborers in coffee plantations and tea estates, although some are employed by the Forest Department or in other occupations. Yerevan tribals believe in magic, and are animists, although they still perform worship to Hindu deities like Chamundeswariamma and Kaveriamma. They have their own system of medicines.[4]

  1. ^ "A-11 Individual Scheduled Tribe Primary Census Abstract Data and its Appendix". www.censusindia.gov.in. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Ravula". Ethnologue.
  3. ^ "An overview of tribal economy" (PDF). Shodhaganga. January 2013.
  4. ^ Sinha, Anil Kishore (2008). Bio-social Issues in Health. Northern Book Centre. p. 506. ISBN 9788172112257.