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Abstract
Nilgiri district is one of the smallest districts in Tamilnadu. Etymologically the word Nilgiri means Blue Mountain. The Scheduled Tribe population in Nilgiri district is not evenly distributed in the six taluks. In Tamilnadu, among the 36 scheduled tribes, the government of India identifies six communities as Primitive Tribal Groups. Important among them are Todas, Kotas, Kurumbas, Irulas, Paniyas and Kattunayakans. The Nilgiris is the home of three major Dravidians tribes namely the Todas, the Kota and the Kurumbas. The Badaga form the largest ethnic group in Nilgiri District and they were originally a migrant group from Karnataka who arrived in the highlands in the 16th century. The Toda are the original inhabitants of The Nilgiris Hills and they are one of the most picturesque tribes in India. The Todas actually possess some Patrilineal and matrilineal divisions they were undoubtedly polyandrous. The Kotas inhabiting Nilgiri district within a cultural frame work and they are strict followers of their culture. Kurumbas are the least civilized group in the district and they mostly live in the hill slopes and feverish places. In Nilgiri district, Irula are found in the lower regions of the hills. The Paniyas usually avoid marrying their cross cousins. Monogamy is the most common form of marriage, among Paniyas whereas, polygamy form of marriage is also found in few settlements in the district. The social organization of any society involves mutual relation obligations, elements of idea behavior anticipated behavior and accrual behavior of the community members. Their priests are of their own tribe. There are two to a village one called Devadi, whose office is hereditary. No animal sacrifices are performed there. They do not know the difference between Siva and Vishnu. However, describe the Irulas as a distinct and no peaceable tribe. There is a repertoire for dancing, a repertoire for funerals and a repertoire for 'god'. Tribal people are endowed with enriched traditional wisdom to use available resources around them.