The Cholanaikans live in the upper ghat section of the Nilambur valley. They lead a semi nomadic life in the forest . They are having limited contact with outsiders . Every colony have 2 to 7 nuclear families . Each colony is called Chemmam and the each Chemmam have a headman called Chemmakkaran . The Cholanaikan believe in ancestral spirits and worship sylvan deities . In all traditional hamlet , a small sacred hut called ‘ Daivapura ‘ is seen and icons are kept in this hut Chemmakkaran plays an important role in all the religious and social functions of the hamlet .

Cholanaikans live in rock shelters known as Ala. They are make the houses with leaf shelters to permenant abodes .Their main jobs are hunting and collection of non wood forest products . Hunting and fishing activities are done mainly in summer months .