AHADS

A FIREBRAND FROM ATTAPPADI

A platform for meeting, interaction and collaboration of minds


Bhagavathi is bold and ready to voice out the problems faced by the tribal. A firebrand from Attappadi, she was in the city recently to partake in a two day meeting organized by the States women’s commission.
Bhagavathi is one of the beneficiaries of Attappadi area development society AHADS, which is an eco restoration project implementing agency, funded by JAPAN. WHAT PROMPTED HER TO WORK FOR THE TRIBAL was the rampant illicit liquor brewing. Attappadi is a liquor prohibited zone. Btu brewing is a big business now. Outsiders find this a secure place. Even the children are addicted to liquor” says Bhagavathi. The women work under the banner of thaikulam a monitoring agency.

We conduct raids. Initially we installed warning boards and then warned them verbally. As a last resort we had to use the broom sticks. Then we imposed a fine of rs.100 on drunkards and with the collected we purchased provisions for the affected family. On confiscating jaggery we make payasam and distribute it among the tribal.

“Attappadi is a tribal belt in Palakkad. It is covered by forest. THE TRIBALS HAVE THE RIGHT TO CULTIVATE THERE. Outside settlers encroached upon their land. We are illiterate and hence easy to cheat. There is no school or hospitals. We don’t mind sending our children to far off schools but the non-tribal teachers, treat these tribal children differently. Sexual harassment is very high and we have many unwed mothers. We are economically weak to approach the court and to conduct sophisticated tests like DNA test. The culprits escape as the law enforcing agencies are weak” she reasons.

There are 182 oorus and 110 thaikulam sangahm. Each ooru comprises of 25 families. Ragi is their staple food. Rice is consumed in eager quantities. Now they are force to supplement their diet with chama, roots tubers and fruits. Unscrupulous elements successfully owned the land and the ragi cultivation declined. Now they depend quality ration rice.Domestic violence an infant mortality is on the rise. Cancer and cardiac patients receive no attention.

Bhagavathi was listening to the various problems, suggestions and complaints raised by the NGOs. Finally she remarked: You have access to schools, colleges, courts, police stations, hospitals, and you have well equipped communication facilities- and still GRUMBLING?! On hearing this statement of Bhagavati the entire forum burst into laughter

Author
padmanabha Devoted Hubber

Tribal people

Tribal people in Attappadi

by pradeepsz

Attappady, one of the prominent forest regions of Kerala is situated in
the north eastern part of the Palghat district of Kerala. Irular,
Mudugar and Kurumbar are the main tribal groups. They live in forest in
closely built huts called ‘Ooru’ (hamlets) Government have constructed
some concrete programmes to uplift the tribals.Attappadimountain valley nestled in the Western Ghats ranges is in Palakkad district of Kerala, south India. Attappady is a tribal abode.This 765 square Kilometres of area is bounded on the east by the
Coimbatore district of Tamilnadu, north by the Nilgiris, south by the
Palghat taluk and on the west by the Karimba, Pottassery and Mannarghat
revenue villages of Mannarghat taluk of the Palghat District and Ernad
taluk of the Malappuram district. The elevation of the Attappady valley
ranges from 750-1000 metres.

The majority of the tribal people in
Attappadi use arrack (country liquor) and for quite a number of them,
it is their main food! Non-tribal people, the local settlers are no
exception. It is a common knowledge, that because of excess demand of
this stuff, many venture to produce it in their vicinity, against all
governmental rules. It is the most profitable and thriving non-licensed
cottage industry! This illicit distilling goes on secretly in hilly
terrains not easily accessible to the excise officials. "Koda", a basic
ingredient to prepare arracks is usually stored in the homes of these
illicit distillers.

Strange Rituals…..

Wedding

Attappadi is inhabited by three ethnic tribal groups viz., Irulas,
Kurumbas and Mudgas. Their weddings include many rituals and
ceremonies. Wedding is very common even at the age of 12 or 13. The
wedding is usually conducted in the groom's house. The groom has to
give dowry to the bride's father. They give a grand feast on the
wedding day. Vegetable food is a must. Family relationships are not
given much priority. The son even marries the second wife of his
father. Polygamy is prevalent among them.



Delivery



The woman before her delivery is kept in a specially made separate hut
near her house. When the pain starts, a mid wife who has mastery over
sorcery, accompanies her. After delivery the women and the baby are
declared unclean for six months. She leads a peaceful life without
doing any household works for three months. Husband does all the works
at that time (probably regretting making her pregnant!).





Death



When a person dies, couriers travel through out the village annoucing
the death news.. Chanting the name of the dead person, the relatives
and the neighbors sprinkle coriander mixed water on the dead body. The
dead body , completely covered with a white cloth is then placed in a
bamboo cot. A coin (nettikkasu) is pasted on the forehead. The people
who come for the burial service set right all the problems that they
had with the man and thus he is expected to be completely freed for his
eternal journey. A whole day is spent dancing and singing
(sapparayattam), thanking god for keeping the man so far. In that dance
they show symbols that God gave and God took. We cannot see Adivasi
people crying when somebody dies. When the father dies, the first born
in the family shaves his head and when the mother dies the second son
shaves his head. If there are no males in the family girls are supposed
to do so.



Irula tribe leads in literacy and in education comparing other tribal
groups. They are very interested to learn more. Tribal Mission strives
hard to shed light to their darkened lives. As a result of the ministry
among the tribals many have turned their hearts for the glory of God.
We request all of yours valuable prayers for this ministry.

How to reach there

* Nearest town: Mannarghat - 38 km
o Frequent buses to Anakkatti which is in Attappadi.
o Accommodation is available at Mannarghat and at Agali