Kurumba, kurumbar, kurumba gounder - who are they?
Kurumba, Kurumbar, and Kurumba Gounder in more depth from four perspectives: history, social structure, reservation policy, and modern-day dynamics.
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Kurumbas are one of the original forest-dwelling tribes of the Nilgiris.
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Known as spiritual specialists, sorcerers, and medicine people.
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Historically lived in dense forests, away from agricultural settlements.
Relationship Overview
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Ethnographic relation | Kurumbas are considered indigenous tribal inhabitants; Badagas are believed to have migrated later and interacted with them. |
| Social relation | Not the same community; traditionally separate with strict boundaries. |
| Spiritual relation | Badagas historically feared and respected Kurumbas for their perceived powers of witchcraft, healing, and spirit control. |
| Cultural interaction | Kurumbas conducted rituals for Badagas during epidemics, crop failure, or spirit disturbances. |
| Dependence | Badagas depended on Kurumbas for forest knowledge and spiritual remedies. |
1. Historical Roots
Kurumba / Kurumbar (ST)
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Ancient Origins: Believed to be descendants of Pallava warriors or early Dravidian forest tribes.
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Lifestyle: Traditionally hunter-gatherers, bee-keepers (Jenu Kurumbas), and forest dwellers in the Nilgiris and Western Ghats.
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Colonial Records: British classified them as “primitive tribes” and studied their languages, which are a mix of Tamil, Kannada, and unique tribal dialects.
Kurumba Gounder (MBC)
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Claimed Descent: Often trace lineage to Pallava or Vellalar communities—more agrarian and caste-integrated.
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Pastoralists & Farmers: Traditionally herded sheep and goats, gradually shifting to agriculture.
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Gounder Connection: Part of the broader Gounder umbrella, common in Kongu Nadu.
2. Social Identity & Cultural Practices
|
Feature
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Kurumba/Kurumbar (ST)
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Kurumba Gounder (MBC)
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|---|---|---|
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Religion
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Animistic + Hinduism
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Shaivism / Mainstream Hinduism
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Language
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Mix of tribal dialects + Tamil/Kannada
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Tamil (Kongu dialect)
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Main Rituals
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Nature worship, forest deities, honey rituals
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Temple donations, coconut-breaking ceremonies
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Community Role
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Marginal, forest-bound until recently
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Local influence in villages
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Cultural Integration
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Less integrated historically
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Well integrated into mainstream caste system
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3. Legal Classification
Kurumba / Kurumbar
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Category: Scheduled Tribe (ST)
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Reservation: ST quota – central & state level (education, jobs, land rights)
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Protections: Forest Rights Act, PESA, SC/ST Atrocities Act
Kurumba Gounder
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Category: Most Backward Class (MBC) – Tamil Nadu state list
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Reservation: MBC quota (20% in Tamil Nadu state institutions)
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No central ST benefits: Only state-specific MBC benefits apply
4. Modern-Day Realities
Kurumba / Kurumbar (ST)
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Education: Low literacy, but improving with targeted tribal hostels and Ashram schools.
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Economic Status: Often poor, dependent on forest produce or government schemes.
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Challenges: Land rights issues, displacement, malnutrition in tribal belts.
Kurumba Gounder (MBC)
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Education & Employment: Better access due to MBC benefits and village-level integration.
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Social Status: Respected among agrarian communities; some local political representation.
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Caste Mobilization: Part of the Gounder caste networks in western Tamil Nadu.
Even though the names sound similar, Kurumba, Kurumbar, and Kurumba Gounder represent three very different social realities:
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Tribal identity with ancient roots and ST status,
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Caste-based agrarian identity with MBC benefits,
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And a rich cultural blend that reflects Tamil Nadu’s deep social history.
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