CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF KANIKKARS IN KERALA- AN ANALYSIS

A tribe is defined as a group of people who live in inaccessible forest areas in hilly and remote areas, are members of the oldest racial group, speak a common dialect, practise primitive religions, work in primitive occupations, have nomadic lifestyles, a love of drinking and dancing, and have endogenous professional social organisations that are distinct from those of the surrounding population. Additionally, they go by the name Adivasi. Adi means original and Vasi means inhabitant, thus original inhabitant is what is meant. Kerala is a homeland of numerous tribal communities. They have their own unique customs in every aspect of life. Kanis or Kanikkars are a prominent group among the tribals in Kerela mostly found in western parts of Trivandrum and Kollam districts. Kanikkars are wild but inoffensive hill tribes. They are the owners of land and their knowledge about nature became valuable. This paper tried to find out the features of culture and traditions of Kanikkars. They evolved a unique culture and life style, tradition and practices, which could be quite often referred to as backward and irrational by outsiders. Kanikkar have rituals and ceremonies of their own The tribal group who were identified as more isolated from wider community and who maintain distinctive cultural identity. They have a marginal degree of contact with other cultures.