Badaga Social Structure and Hatti Governance

Badaga Social Structure & Hatti (Village) Governance is one of the most distinctive features of this community. This structure is what preserved their unity, culture, and identity for centuries—without external kings, priests, or political rulers.

Badaga Social Structure & Hatti System (Traditional Governance)

1. What is a Hatti?

A Hatti is a traditional Badaga village
It is not just a settlement, but a social, spiritual, and administrative unit
Every Hatti functions as a self-governing republic

2. Division of People (Clans / Ooru)

Badagas are divided into clans or lineages, each associated with temples, ancestors, and specific rituals.

Major Divisions:

Main Groups	Region
Haruva	Priestly families (ritual leaders, NOT Brahmins)
Odaya / Odeya	Agricultural & community leader class
Kanaka / Gowda	Traditional ruling & administrative families
Badaga	General community name, but also includes multiple sub-clans

Note: Unlike caste hierarchy, all these groups are part of the same tribal civilization, with complementary roles.

3. Traditional Village Governance

Each Hatti has:

Gowda (Headman) → Leader, decision maker
Karwar (Elders) → Advisors, judges for disputes
Haruva (Priest) → Performs rituals with ancestral stones, no Sanskrit mantra or Brahminical involvement
Community Assembly → Major decisions are taken collectively

There is no concept of kingship or feudal rule.

They follow democratic tribal governance, which existed long before modern democracy.

4. Spiritual Structure

Each hatti has:

Sacred Grove (Devaru Kaadu) → Forest area where ancestors are believed to reside
Ancestral Stone (Devaru Kallu) → The main point of worship
Hethai Shrine → The symbol of divine mother

Worship is done facing nature, stones, and sacred trees – not idols.

5. Social Laws & Justice

Marriage, property sharing, disputes, and festivals are controlled by the Hatti council
No external court was used traditionally; decisions of the council were final
Punishments included:
- Social boycott
- Ritual cleansing
- Payment of fines in grains/livestock

6. Community Unity

Work is collective: sowing, harvest, building, and rituals are done together.
No one is allowed to starve; community responsibility is priority.
There is no untouchability or caste discrimination within the Badaga Hatti.

Feature	Kodava	Badaga
Governance	Clan-based but influenced by royal history	Pure village-based tribal republic
Priest	Warrior-priest system	Haruva (ancestral priest, not Brahmin)
Worship	Ancestral and martial traditions	Ancestral and nature worship
Law	Informal but influenced by Karnataka rulers	Fully autonomous tribal law system
Identity	Warrior-agricultural	Tribal-agricultural

The Hatti system is the backbone of Badaga identity.

It preserved:

Their democracy
Their ancestral faith
Their language
Their cultural pride

Even today, many Badagas respect Hatti elders over political leaders.