International Journal of Trend in Scientific

Re
Research and Development (IJTSRD)
International Open Access Journal
ISSN No: 2456 - 6470 | www.ijtsrd.com | Volume - 2 | Issue – 4

Women Health in Kerala Tri

Tribe - A Sociological Analysis of
Muthuvan Community
Anusha V. M, Muhammed Atheeque. P. P
Department of Sociology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India

ABSTRACT

Koodakkadukudi has 8 hamlets. Situate

Situated in Marayoor Historically speaking, the Muthuvans are believed to
village. 9 km away from Marayoor town. 100 women have field from the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu,
are selected following systematic random sampling one of the state of India, situated at the southern end.
out of 478 families. In order to facilitate 3 objectives. The Muthuvans are very independent and reluctant to
Namely the social life of Muthuvan women and the interact with the outside world. Muthuvan women are
educational conditions and the healthh related facts. It strictly prohibited from having contact with non- non
was found that Muthuvans are not aware of the Muthuvans, especially non- Muthuvan men. There is
harmful effects of unsafe drinking water. Their a hamlet of Muthuvans at Machiuplavukudi near
livelihood only depend on the natural source of water Adimali, Idukki district of Kerala. Most of their
namely pond and river. They have no other option and women are illiterate and strongly bonded with their
are unaware of the unsafe drinking water.90% of them customs. In Kerala Muthuvans tribal settlements are
make use of open area for execration and urination. located at Marayoor, Vattavada, Suryanelli, Bison
This requires toilet construction in their area through Valley, Mankulam, Adimali, Kuttampuzha and
government program among welfare activities from Adichithotti villages spread in Idukki, Ernakulam and
the village and self-help
help groups. Formation of self – Thrissur districts. Census of Kerala identified 9,903
help groups is yet to be started. Mudugar individuals from 2,185 families living in 88
settlements covering 67.6 km in the state. The area of
Keywords: Women Health, Muthuvan Community and
study is Koodakkadukudi,
kadukudi, situated in Marayoor
Kerala Tribe
Panchayathu of Devikulam Taluk. It has 8 hamlets
INTRODUCTION namely Karppoorakudi, Kavakkudi, Kuthukalkudi,
The Muthuvan people were very loyal subjects of the Periyakudi, Overthittukudi, Nellippettikudi,
dynasty of Madurai, according to tribal legend. When Vengapparakudi, Kammalamkudi. All the 8 hamlets
the dynasty was deposed the surviving royal members together comprise 478 families, which
whic are different
migrated to Travancore,
ncore, Central Kerala and from households. The distribution of families is given
established the famed Poonjar dynasty. On their way below.
to Kerala the Muthuvans carried idols of Madurai
Purpose of Study
Meenakshi on their backs. So the word Muthuvans is
derived from the word “Muthuku” which means back The purpose of study was to assess the “interaction
in Tamil and Malayalam languages.
ges. The tribe which pattern of Muthuvan teenage girls” and the major
carried the idols on their backs later settled in the issues affecting them. The issues involved in the
forest near Tamil Nadu and came to be known as research project
roject included enquiry about their
Muthuvans. sociological life, religious activities, health and
education, customs, heritage, tradition, marriage etc.

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
Objectives of the Study Analysis and Interpretation
1. To understand the reasons for illiteracy and Livelihood of Women Respondents
dropouts of tribal girls
Sources of Frequency Percentage
2. To describe social life of Muthuvan Women income N=100
3. To bring out the health related facts of
Muthuvan Self - cultivation 15 15%
Agriculture wage 20 20%
Population of the Study labour
Forest Product 45 45%
Population of the study is 1791Muthuvan Tribal Handicrafts 20 20%
people in which women constitute 886. Sampling is
Total 100 100%
Systematic random sampling (selected one women
from five settlement). Sample size is 100 women are
Forest, forest resources play a significant role in the
selected from 100 families. Unit of the study is
daily life of Muthuvans. Forest provides them food,
individual people and research design of the study is
medicine, fuel, wood and wide range of non – timber
descriptive research design.
forest products, which are essential not only for
Data Collection Procedure meeting their requirements but also act as potential
source of income for their livelihood and to keep up
The researcher approached the tribal development their for meeting their requirements. Women,
officer of Devikulam Taluk and Marayoor regional including young and old pregnant are lactating from
officer. After that took the permission of Marayoor the major workfare in the agriculture activities of the
DFO for entering the forest. The tribals were assured Muthuvans. The Muthuvan women are hardworking;
of the confidentiality of their responses and reminded they work in the field during the day time. Men do
that these responses would be used only for the support in agriculture work. Many young men are so
purpose of research work. Afterwards they were engaged in loading work. They carry goods like rice
satisfied and with much interest and co-operation they and necessary items to the kudi and carry cardamom
helped me in my collection of data. It was observed and other forest products outside the kudi.
that the students were liked to answer all the
questions. Most of them responded detail. They were From childhood, muthuvan women are trained to
found open minded and keen to answer. Some make bamboo products such as baskets, plates,
respondents raised doubts about this interview vessels, chair, cots, hut, homes etc. They also make
schedule and also about research process. bamboo vessels and baskets which is used for
agriculture and cooking purpose. Muthuvan men take
Data Collection honey from forest but they hardly use it for
themselves; they sell it through VSS.Women, usually
Data was collected from the respondents through go once in a week to collect firewood and go more
personal interviews and also by using a structural than once in a week, if there are any special needs.
questionnaire. Literature and survey of reference of They need firewood for cooking.
journals gave more clarity for the researcher in
determining the reluctant tools of data collection. The Agriculture
collection of data was done from by visiting
Koodakkadukudi tribal settlement near Marayoor, More than 50% of Muthuvans in Koodakkadukudi
Kerala. possess their own land. The state government has
given them the land for agricultural purposes but
without a deed certificate. They only have possession
certificate. The main agricultural crops grown by the
Muthuvans include finger millet, paddy, tapioca and
cardamom. Along with agriculture Muthuvans collect
the wild tubers and honey from forest.
Muthuvans rear goats and chicken. But they neither
use milk nor the egg. They believe goat milk is for

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
2456
goat kids and keep the egg for breeding. They usually be migrated from Madurai region of Tamil Nadu
go to work byy 9 am in the morning and are in the field during 13th and 14th century AD.
up to 3 pm. They often drink black tea without sugar.
They eat twice in a day that is 9 am and 6.30 pm. Literacy Rate of Muthuvans

Family wise Analysis of Pants Used by Muthuvans

50

41.5

Trees 45% 32

Herbs
30%

TOTAL MALE FEMALE

The knowledge of medicine of Muthuvans is
indigenous based on their traditional experience. Though, Muthuvans represent 5.8% to the total tribal
Modern science is yet to examine their knowledge population of the state their literacy fall far below the
.Plants and plant derivatives form major constituents general literacy rate. Literacy
racy rate of Muthuvans is
in most of the medical preparations. They do not store 41.5% which is even far below the national literacy
medicines. The men opined that the efficiency of rate of STs (census of India, 2001). It can also be seen
medicine will bee lost as a result of long periods. the large difference existing between male and female
literacy rate of Muthuvans (50:30). Among the
Now the deforestation resulted in the scarcity of
literates, about half of them have either attained
various precious medicinal plants. They collect it
primary level education or are literate without any
from the natural habitat and they never cultivate them
formal education. The percentage of indicates low
for their own use. There was a specialist medicine
level of education among Muthuvans. Besides being
man known as Vaidhyan whose duty is to collect
one of the significant tribes they remain excluded
medicinal plants, preparation of medicines and
from educational developmental
pmental process.
treatment of the patients.
The Muthuvans are very poor. Many of the students
The main medicinal plants are :Maramanjal
discontinue schools at primary and middle school due
(Cosciniumfenestratum), Kaattumanjal (Christm),
to financial difficulties. But concerning
Eanth (Cycascircinalis L), Koovalam (Aeglemarmelos
Koodakkadukudi they have proper facilities for
L Correa),
rea), Menthonni (Gloriosasuperba L), Vayambu
attaining education. They have two lower primary primar
(Acoruscalamus L), Garudakkody (Aristolochiatagala
schools within the settlement. The state and central
Cham), Anjili (Artocarpushirsutus Lam), Cherupunna
governments providing enough financial assistance in
(Calophyllumapetalum Wild), Perumkurumba
the form of scholarships, free boarding, lodging
(Chonemorphafragrans Alston), Karuva
facilities, provision to text books and mid-
mid day meals
(CinnamomummacrocarpumHook.f), Kattukaruva
in primary schools, stipend hostel facilities,
facilitie not many
(CinnamomumsulphuratumNees), Ramacham
tribal children are not attached to education. The
(Vetiveriaianoides), Kacholam (Kaempferia
Muthuvans have not been earning much to educate
galangal), Kattarvazha (Aloe vera), Pathimugham
themselves. Their cultural surroundings and poverty
(Caesalpiniasappan), Thippali (Piper longum),
creates hindrances in the process of their education.
Panikkoorkka (Coleus aromaticus), Aadalodakam
(Adathodavasica), Brahmi (Baccopamonnieri), Education of the Muthuvan Girl Children
Krishna Thulasi (Oscimum sanctum)
The reasons associated with not educating girl child
Anthropologically Muthuvans are considered as a are financial constraints, submissiveness and
proto- Australoid in origin without a unique physic. motherhood. In earlier days Muthuvans have a
They are health, tall, strong, fair with brownish curly tradition to bring their girl children for marriage after
hairs. According to some others they are cons
considered to reaching the menstruation periods or the age of 14 and
an

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
2456
above. But now the situations got change because of
the new points of child protections and child marriage
act. Because of that they are getting enough chances
to attain education. But according to many points of
view their lazy mind and their culture th
they don’t like
to getting educate. They views that without education
they can live. The inner truth is mostly Muthuvan
women are not ready to interact with others. So that
they don’t have any problem when they were
illiterate.
Another major fact is, Muthuvans ns are strongly
restricted their women for interactions of outside the
The reasons for drop-out
out are depending on family
settlement. And they believe that if higher education
status, economic imposition, bi-lingual
bi education,
then they will get any affairs from outside of their
lack of interest etc. Among the Muthuvans it was
community. Girls have no say on the topic of
found that the problem of drop-out
drop is not an isolated
education. It is entirely their parent’s
arent’s decision. More
phenomenon, but it may be attributed
attribu to so many
than half of them wanted to send their daughters to
other facts. Dropouts basically related to the socio –
schools but others thought it was futile. Where parents
economic culture and other constrains are the
are enthusiastic about educating their daughters, they
consciousness, involvement and educational level of
enroll their daughters in schools but rarely allow them
parents, and also the neighboring groups and their
to complete their education.
influence. The main reason of dropout of girls
The Muthuvans are reluctant to send their girl remaining behind attitude of their parents. Commonly
children out of their settlement since they are very after menstruation parents are not ready to send them
much concerned about the safety of their daughters. in schools.
Thus they discontinue their education at the primary
Number of Persons who completed 10th, +2, Degree
level and turn to household chores and agricultural
in Koodakkadukudi in 2015--16
activities. But this ancient concept got a few changes.
And now they have an idea to make them educate and There are 8 hamlets in Koodakaaukodi. They are
highly percentage of parents are ready to bring their Karppoorakudi,
rppoorakudi, Kavakkudi, Kuthukalkudi,
children to school. In Periyakudi Pugalenthi, is a final Periyakudi, Overthittukudi, Vengapparakudi,
year degree girl’s student
udent .And her parents like to Nellippethkudi, Kammalamkudi. Only two were
motivate her. Covering the entire kudi she was the completed SSLC in karpurakodi. In kavukodi 17 were
only one girl who got higher education. Most completed SSLC and one completed plus Two.
commonly girls were managing household chores, Kuthukalkodi and Overthettukudi one person
helping in agricultural activities and taking care of completed SSLC. In periyakodi 10 Persons completed
younger children. Even if thee schools were located in SSLC and only one completed plus two. Four persons
their hamlet itself due to these work burdens girl passed degree. In Vengaparakudi 16 persons have
children were always withdrawn from the school. But SSLC and only one have Plus Two. In Nellipettikudi
by comparing other tribal settlement in Idukki, 8 persons have SSLC and one passed plus two and
Koodakkadukudi have many good opportunities. It four persons were degree holders.in kammalamkudi
has two Anganavadies also. the number of educates in SSLC is 6 and also 1 has
plus two.

Reasons for Dropouts

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
Panchayath Tribal settlement Number of Educates
Total
Marayoor Koodakkadukudi SSLC +2 Degree PG
Karppoorakudi 2 - - - 2
Kavakkudi 17 1 - - 18
Kuthukalkudi 1 - - - 1
Periyakudi 10 1 4 - 15
Overthittukudi 1 - - - 1
Vengapparakudi 16 1 - - 17
Nellippethkudi 8 1 4 - 13
Kammalamkudi 6 1 - - 7
Total 61 5 8 74

Menstrual Hygiene of the Respondents menarche. Lack of awareness on menstruation makes

girls depressed anxious on their menstruation. The
Percentage timing of menarche among different population is
probably affected by a variety of environmental,
120
100 genetic and socio- economic factors; but most
80 analysis consider nutritional status to be the dominant
60 determinant.
40
20 Percentage
0 Teenage Girls
Use Use Use Nothing
sanitary cotton other The teenage girls required to get 1 kg Sakkara, 1 kg
pads cloths cloths ragi, ½ kg peanuts. In between each three months they
can ½ kg wheat also. It makes them healthy and
physically fit. These facilities are provided under
Menarche
Anganavadies, and from there they are giving them
Generally young women are poorly informed about hygiene classes. Key events in the life of young
their own sexuality and physical well-being. For many women before motherhood.
girls, the first menstruation is the frightening event
about which they have not been informed. She is Bath habit of Menstrual Days
separated without explanation and kept out from other Sl. Bath habit in Frequency Percentage
adults. At the end of the four or five days she is given No. Menstruation N=100
a ritual bath. And subsequently she is treated as a Days
woman eligible for marriage, kept away from her
precious playmates and confined the house. Low rates 1 Yes 99 99
of educational attainment, limited sex education and
inhabited attitudes towards attenuate this ignorance. A 2 No 1 1
brief overview of his lack of awareness suggests that Total 100 100
adolescent girls are generally ignorant of menstruation
and related behavioral norms like pollution and not
necessarily its links to sexual life. Taw of the women The table shows that 99% of the respondents were
in the study fell that if they had known about bathing during the menstruation days and only 1% of
menstruation prior to menarche, they would have been the respondents were not take bath these days.
less afraid, where as one woman fell that prior
knowledge would have made her anxiously await

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
Marriage The table shows that more than 50% of the
respondents got pregnant and delivery took place at
Sl.No Age of Frequency Percentage the age group of 25 – 28, and 32% are at the age
marriage N=100 group of 21 - 24 and negligible (15%) of the
1 13-16 0 0% respondents are at the age group of 17 - 20.
2 17-20 20 20%
3 21-24 25 25% Respondents Who Consulted a Doctor during
4 25-28 55 55% Pregnancy
Total 100 100%
Sl. Consulting a Frequency Percentage
Commonly Muthuvans marriage place between cross
No. Doctor at the N=100
cousins. Traditionally, the first girl child should go in
Time
marriage to the paternal sister’s son. In olden concept
Pregnancy
was age of marriage is from 13. But now the social
situation totally changed. Because of child marriage Yes 21 21
act and women protection rules the age of marriage is 1
reached 18 and above. In the olden days the marriage
was a one week celebration for the entire kudi. No 79 79
Concerning Koodakkadukudi they are celebrating one 2
week celebrations. Total 100 100
The ceremony begins when the bride’s friends hide
the bride and the groom and his friends should find
The table indicates that majority (79%) of the
her out. Friends of the bride roam in the forest by
respondents are not consulting the doctor during
singing Ashappattu. And it misguides the boys. The
pregnancy and (21%) of the respondents are
people on the kudi do not go for work on these days.
consulting the doctor during pregnancy.
Every member of the kudi enjoys the playful
atmosphere. Finally, either they find the bride or the Respondents on the Basis of Lost their Infants
groom and his friends plead her friends to show the
bride. It is then the bride and groom meet with each Sl. Respondents Frequency Percentage
other and the marriage ceremony begins. However, No. on the basis N=100
this custom is not practiced in the` recent times. Now, of lost their
the groom comes to bride’s kudi, stays there for about Infants
two or three days without appearing in public, takes
the bride and goes to his kudi. In between the girl’s 1 Yes 36 36
father gives a dinner to all people in the kudi. The 2 No 64 64
groom’s father also arranges a dinner at his kudi after
the groom and bride reach their kudi after marriage. Total 100 100
The groom is supposed to bring pudava (bridal sari)
for the bride.

Age at which Respondents Got Pregnant and 64% of the respondents have not lost their children
Delivery Took Place and 36% of the respondents have lost their infants
because of the unviability of the road and transport
Sl. Pregnancy Frequenc Percentage facilities and health care facilities.
No and Delivery y N=100
Period Reason for the Death of Children
13 to 16 0 0
Only 38 mothers reported the reason for the death of
17 to 20 15 15
their children. The reasons are given below.
21 to 24 32 32

25 to 28 53 53
Total 100 100

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
Sl. Reason for Frequenc Percentage Respondents who had ever gone to Hospital
No the death of y N=100
children Sl.No. Gone to Frequency Percentage
Hospital N=100
1 Jaundice 0 0
1 Yes 66 66
2 Tetanus 0 0
2 No 34 34
3 Fever, 13 34.21
Vomiting, Total 100 100
dysentery
4 Reason 25 65.79
unknown In Marayoor village there is one primary health center
and a private hospital also. But they are 10 km away
Total 38 100 from the settlement. Because of lack of vehicles and
road facilities, the respondents going had gone to
hospitals by walk. And another reason is they have
The table indicates that 65.79% of the children are herbal medicines for fever, stomach diseases. They
dying without knowing the reason for death and only even claim having medicines for cancer. Therefore,
34.21% are dying because of fever, vomiting and people do not prefer to go. The above indicates that
dysentery. majority of the respondents (66%) have gone to
hospital sometimes and one third (34%) of the
Community Health Center Study of Muthuvan
respondents have never gone to hospital.
New Born
Routine of Bath
Year No. of New Born
2012-2013 7 Sl. Respondents Frequency Percentage
No. routine of N=100
2013-2014 8
bath
2014-2015 8
1 Every day 84 84
A study by the government community health Centre 2 Once in two 13 13
(CHC) in Devikulam says that 2012-13 saw even days
Muthuvan newborns, which rose to eight births in
2013-14. In 2015, another eight babies were born as 3 Once in a 2 2
of end July this year. The study also says the number week
of infertile women too has now gone down to 32. The 4 Twice in a 1 1
CHC study the usage of the pill has now come down. week
Too many Muthuvan women mostly illiterate or semi
– literate, had been using cheap pill continuously for Total 100 100
many years, often up to 8 or more years. This was not
to avoid hearing children but to escape a tribal custom
that forced them into disabling isolation every time The table says that majority of the responders(84%)
they menstruated. Continuously using the pill ensured are taking bath every day, negligible (13%) of the
they would not menstruate. respondents take bath once in two days, few (2%) of
the respondents are taking bath only once in a week
and negligible (1%) of the respondents have the habit
of taking bath twice in a week. The study in also
exploring the frequency of taking bath. They take bath
from pond and river.

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International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
Habits of Using Soap
Sl. Respondents routine of Frequency Percentage
No. bath N=100
1 Soap 100 10
0
2 Leaves 0 0

3 Others 0 0

The above table shows that 100% of the respondents were using soap for cleaning their body.

Routine of Washing Clothes

Frequency N= 100
120

100

80
No of respondents

60

40 Frequency N= 100

20

0
Once in 2 Once in a
Daily Total
days week
Frequency N= 100 61 28 11 100
Axis Title

Only 61% of the total adult women population wash The table shows that 100% of the respondents were
their daily used clothes. 28% of the total adult women cleaning their teeth daily. They brush their teeth by
wash their clothes only after using it for continuous using Neem sticks, plants like mango leaves or ash.
two days. But at 11% of the total were wash their They don’t use commercial paste.
clothes only after using it for a week.

Dental Health Respondents with the habit of Chewing Pan

Sl. Cleaning Frequency Percentage Sl. Do you have Frequency Percentage
No Your Teeth N=100 No. the habit of N=100
. daily? chewing pan?
1 Yes 100 100 1 Yes 45 45

2 No 0 0 2 No 55 55

Total 100 100 Total 100 100

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
The table shows that more than half of the (55%) The table shows that 95% of the respondents throw
respondents are not using pan and nearly half of the away their children’s excreta and 5% of the
respondents (45%) are using it. Muthuvan women respondents are dig and bury it.
have the habit of chewing pan made of betel leave
mixed with betel nut throughout the day. It is self- Awareness of Diseases
made.
Sl. Do you know Frequency Percentage
Main Health Issues of Muthuvan Women No. about the Diseases N=100
Spread by flies
Sl.No. Name of Diseases No. of and mosquitoes?
Respondents
1 Paralyze 5 1 Yes 43 43

2 Respiratory problems 20 2 No 57 57
3 Malnutrition 35 Total 100 100
4 Menstrual problems 25
5 Others 20 The table shows that more than half (57%) of the
respondents don’t know about epidemic diseases and
The main health issues of muthuvan women are due only 43% of the respondents know about it. Muthuvan
to malnutrition. Another big issue related to women normally have the diseases of vomiting,
menstruation. Both this issues they are unaware of menstruation problems, paralyzing, respiratory
many governmental projects to overcome their problems and malnutrition.
pathetic situation. 5% of respondents affected Toilet Facilities of the Respondents
paralyze issues and 20% have respiratory problems.
Uncontrolled use of intoxicating drinks, use of Sl. No. Toilet facilities Frequency Percentage
tobacco products, and chewing pans may be reasons N=100
for these kinds of diseases. Muthuvan women see
new shirring of life. Women of Muthuvan tribes in the 1 Deep Pit 0 0
forest of Koodakkadukudi in Idukki are beginning to
2 Small Pits 0 0
escape the unintended scourge of modern
contraceptive pill, which the government has 3 Closet 10 10
introduced to them in the mid-1990s. The Pill, Mala
Da heavily subscribed oral contraceptive pushed 4 Open area 90 90
countrywide through the government’s social
marketing blitz for birth control – largely aiming the Total 100 100
rural, less than affluent sections – had rendered
infertile a big chunk of women of this tribe. The table shows that majority of the respondents
(90%) are using open area for toilet purpose and only
Dispose of the Excreta of the Children
a negligible percentage (10%) of the respondents are
Sl. Dispose of Frequency Percentage using closet. The open toilets are one main reason for
No. the excreta N=100 their unsafe and unhealthy water sources and water
of the pollution. They use open toilets primarily because
children they are uneducated to their personal and social
hygiene. This is presented in the following diagram.
1 Dig and bury 5 5
it Conclusion
2 Throw away 95 95 The discussion attempts to trace the deep rooted
elements of ‘tradition’ in the life of muthuvan and is
3 Others 0 0 set against the background of modern world views,
Total 100 100 life styles and practices. The dynamics in the practices
are also traced here. An important thrust of this study

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
is to approach and analyze the concepts and realities Findings and Suggestions
from the perspective of women, especially in the area
of sexual and reproductive health practices. The life This descriptive study was undertaken to assess the
of girl in Muthuvan community is different from that entire life of Muthuvan women with special
of girl living outside. Among muthuvan culture clan, references to the tribal settlement of Koodakkadukudi
lineages very strong particularly for marriage and they at Marayoor in Idukki district. The data were
mostly follow it and strictly prohibited endogamy. collected from 100 women belonging to 8 hamlets in
Based on their schooling, some of them stop the basis of interview schedule.
education and some continue going to school after
1. Though they are geographically far away city
upper primary level Indebtedness is a particularly
life. They keep their own culture and life
great problem for many family from time to time
which may be better than our so called and
social obligations made to be met, for instance
city life.
marriage, puberty, birth, death, or any other occasions
that call for a festival or celebration, ‘also, if there is 2. They should not have proper and good
an occasion, when self – furtherance is being infrastructure facilities including
threatened. There is a threat of starvation. It is transportation and health.
necessary for them to get a loan or help.
3. Awareness programmes on their own keeping
There houses are unhygienic. But being, they are their own life is recommended. At the same
bound to leave in the same house. Unhygienic time, they should be trained in modern
conditions affects the health of the tribes. The houses education. Our primary challenge is a healthy
of tribes lack windows and holes for the entrance of margin of their own culture and life with
air and light in the house. This affects skin and health modern education and gives on human life and
of the tribes. Due to the lack of proper communication science.
and transportation facilities, government doctors,
References
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medicines from the medicinal plants and bones, teeth, ‘Indian journal of traditional knowledge’
tail, skin, horns, oil of wild animals and birds. They Vol.6(1)
also perform magic to care their illness. They have to
depend on ground water or well for drinking water. 2) P. K. Muraleedharan (2014): “Edamalakkudy:
Still majority of tribal have to use the water of ponds Oorum Porulum” (Malayalam article)
for cooking and drinking purposes. They wash clothes 3) Mohammed Awais & NaheenHaider Zaidi (2014):
on the banks of the same pond. Animals are also “Tribal and Rural Development, -Various facts
washed in the pond .Open toilets are also near the and innovative strategies”, (Article) Regal
pond. Such activities make the water contaminated. It Publications, Delhi.
affects their health.
4) Religion as a barrier in women empowerment;
Due to lack of good transport and infrastructure THE HINDU Nov.18- 2013-
facilities many pregnant ladies can’t reach near b 5) N Viswanathan Nair (2013) ‘Revival of tribal
hospitals in time and so they give birth to their medicine’
children on the way itself. It endangers the very life of
the mother and the child at the same time. Within the 6) Abha Anoop (2013 May 23) ‘Many takes for
short time of 20 to 30 years the tribal had lost much tribal remedies, ancient cure, THE HINDU
including in some case of their independence and 7) Fr. J. Kurias (2012): “Highranginte Kudiyetta
usually their land to money lenders who established Charithram” (History Malayalam)
themselves in the tribal area. The new settlers
8) S. N. Chaudhary (2012): “Tribal Education:
encroached upon the tribal land and managed to clean
Implications for Development” (Essay) Concept
or take it in several methods of exploitation and
Publishing Company, Delhi.
trickery.
9) A. Naganna & Ch. Uma Mohan (2011): “Tribal
Developmental Programmers and Social

@ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com | Volume – 2 | Issue – 4 | May-Jun 2018 Page: 320
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
Transformations” (Article) Discovery
Publications, Delhi.
10) Sangeetha Unnithan (2011): ‘Edamalakkudi still
routed in tradition’ (The Hindu)
11) N. K. Das (2009): “Tribes Culture – Adaptation
& Belief System – Conceptual and
Methodological Perspectives” (Article), Serials
Publications, Delhi.
12) N Viswanathan Nair (2008): ‘Tribal health and
medicines in Kerala’
13) JW Prakash (3 July 2008): ‘Indian journal of
traditional knowledge’
14) A.V. Yadappanavar (2003): “Tribal Educations in
India” (Article) Discovery Publications, Delhi.
15) Padmaja Sen (2003): “Changing Tribal Life: A
Socio – philosophical perspective”. (Essay)
Concept publishing company, Delhi.
16) E. A. Karunakaran Nair (1987): “Idukkiyude
Katha” (Malayalam article), National book,
Kottayam.
17) Edgar Thurston and K Rangachari (1909): ‘Caste
and Tribes of Southern India.Vol.7

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