TRIBALS IN KERALA

 
 
India has the second largest tribal sect in the world. The tribal peoples in kerala are scattered in the jungles and at the hills of western ghats. There are about thirty five different types of the tribes. The main tribes are the Kurichiyar , Nayadi , Mullakurumar , Urali kurumar , Paniya, Muduga, Irula , Ernadar , Kadar , Muthuvan , Kanikar , Uralas, Paliyan , Mala vedan , Vettuvar , Eravallan , Veda and Malayan .The primitive tribal groups are the Koraga of kasargode district , the Cholanaikan of nilambur valley in malappuram district , the Kurumbar of attapady in palakkad district , the Kadar of thrissur district and Kattunayakan of wayanad district .
 
     
 

Day0 1 TRIVANDRUM

 
 

Arrival at Trivandrum airport/ railway station and then go to hotel in the city for overnight stay. A short briefing will be there about Kerala tribals. Over night stay and dinner will be arranged at the hotel.

 
  Day 02 PULANUR  
 

After breakfast, proceed to punalur. On the way have a visit to the tribal village of Kanis by one hour trekking. Lunch will be arranged in a star facility hotel. Afternoon visit the Numismatic museum at Nedumangad. Later drive towards Punalur, evening specially arranged with a tribal song event [Kumbha Thudi Pattu] will be heard at hotel open air auditorium.Over night stay and dinner is arranged in the hotel.

 
   
  Day O3 KONNI  
 

After break fast , journey towards Konni there is famous elephant training center built in 1941. Half an hour elephant safari will be arranged at the center.

Then proceed to Aranmula, known as heritage village. Lunch will be arranged in Vinjana kala vedi in a traditional Kerala style. Afternoon you can visit the famous metal mirror making factories and mural paintings.

 
     
  In the evening drive towards a resort in a jungle village. A special cultural dance of tribals will be there at the premises of the resort. Dinner and over night stay will be at the resort.  
 
 
  Day 04  VAGAMON  
 

Morning after break fast , journey to Vagamon hill station. This region is situated 1100 meter above sea level which is famous for the tea estates.

 
     
 
Check in at the hotel and after lunch half day visit to a tribal colony and meet the tribal Raja . In the evening specially arranged tribal dance called Manna kooth dance in the resort open air auditorium
  
 

MANNAN>>

Day 05  MUNNAR

 
 
Morning after break fast , proceed to Munnar. On the way you can see the Tea, Coffee, Pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Nutmeg plantations. Check in at the hotel , then we will arrange lunch. Evening visit Munnar town , dinner and overnight stay at resort.
 
 
 
 
 
  Day 06  MARAYOOR  
 

Morning after break fast, proceed to Marayoor village famous for sandal wood and tribal heritage.
Check in at the hotel in Marayoor .After lunch visit the Dolomites, Muthuva villages and sandal wood forests. Evening a tribal dance programme Mala pulaya nirtham will be arranged at the hotel premises. Dinner and over night stay is at the hotel .

 
   
 

Day 07  PALAGHAT

  
 

Morning after break fast , drive to Chinnar wild life sanctuary .On the way , visit the cave paintings and Chinnar wild life sanctuary.Then drive to Palkkad via Pollachi.Check in at the hotel, after lunch visit the Palkkad fort.Dinner and over night stay is at the hotel .

 
 
 
     
 

Day 08  KOZHIKODE

  
 

Morning after break fast, proceed to Kozhikode .On the way visit the Chola naickan colony. After lunch journey towards a beach resort .Dinner and over night stay is at the hotel .

  
   
 

Day 09 KALPETTA

  
 
Morning after break fast, proceed towards Kalpetta. Check in at the hotel and visit the Uravu. After lunch journey to Edakkal caves. Dinner and overnight stay is at the hotel.
 
   
 

Day 10 MANANTHAVADI

  
 
Morning after break fast , proceed towards Kurichiyar village.After noon return to the hotel for lunch. Then drive to Thudi cultural center .In the center , Paniyar tribals perform their traditional Pnaiyar kali .Late evening drive to Mannanthavadi hotel for overnight stay.
 
   
 

Day 11 MANANTHAVADI

  
 

Morning after breakfast, drive to Valliyoorkavu temple and Kuruva island.After lunch , visit the Adiya tribal colony and watch their spiritual dance of Gadiga.Dinner and overnight stay is at the hotel.

 
   
 

Day 12 KOCHIN

  
 
Morning after breakfast, proceed to Nedumbassery airport hotel for stay
  
 
 
 

Day 13 Departure

  
 
 
 
 
 

 

  
     
 
 
   
 

 

  
     
 
 
 

 

  
     
     
 

TRIBAL DANCES AND SONGS

 
  Kerala’s tribal dances are spontaneous, it is the most direct expression of the inner most spirit of people. Each of the tribes has its own distinct dance forms. Most of the dance forms are simple and consists of meaningless shuffling of the feet or waving of the hands. In another form it is the swaying of body to the clapping of hands. Tribal dances contain a wide range of movement involving all parts of the body, head, arms, fingers, feet and back hips. Many of these dances are heroic in nature.