Muthuvan

The Muthuvan people were loyal subjects of the dynasty of Madurai, according to tribal legend. When the dynasty was deposed, the surviving royal members migrated to Travancore, central Kerala, and established the famed Poonjar dynasty. On their way to Kerala, the Muthuvas carried the idols of Madurai Meenakshi, the deity of the royal family, on their backs. The word Muthuvas is derived from the word "muthuku" which means back in the Tamil and Malayalam languages. The tribe which carried the idols on their backs later settled in the forests near Tamil Nadu and came to be known as Muthuvans.

The Muthuvans are very independent and reluctant to interact with the outside world. Muthvan women are strictly prohibited from having contact with non-Muthvans, especially non-Muthvan men. There is a hamlet of Muthuvans at Machiplavu kudi near Adimali, idukki district of Kerala. The Muthuvan women usually live in bamboo huts and are not allowed to talk or see men outside their tribe. The Muthuva tribe grows ragi, cardamom and lemon grass. Now they are also cutivating banana and tapioca for their daily usage. Most of their women are illiterate and strongly bonded with their customs.^[1]

References

1. ^ Nilgiri Tahr Foundation, "Muduvans" retrieved 4/17/2007 [1]