Source: Wikipedia
The relationship between humans and nature is an inevitable factor of everyday life. Despite the growing capitalism and encroachment of lands, the tribal belts of the country have still managed to establish contact with nature without disrupting the environment.
The tribal people of the subcontinent are broadly defined as humble indigenous folks who develop an intimate connection with the forests, hills, and fields they reside in and by no way cause harm to the ecology of their habitat.
About Badagas
The Badagas are one such community who amidst the growing hustle culture and rapid commercialization, have continued to resist the hindrance of external forces and found a distinct way to live an eco-friendly and harmonious life.
Ooty, located in the western ghats of Tamilnadu, is filled with nothing but mesmerizing sceneries, lush green gardens, and everything blue and beautiful. This ‘Blue Hill’, is also a home for many Aboriginal tribes or Adivasis. The Badaga’s, the largest tribal group in Nilgiris are one among them.
The name Badaga means ‘northerner’- there is no factual evidence on the origin and migration of the tribe. Their settlement in the hills has been shrouded with myths and folktales. The migration largely is said to have coincided with the fall of the Vijayanagara empire around 400 years ago owing to famine, political turmoil, or local oppression in their own localities, on the other hand, some scholars and natives of the land argue that it was much before then this period.
They speak a language called “Badugu”, which has no written script. Usually, Tamil is the preferred language for writing. The Badagas reside in over 300 villages/hattis across the district. Almost every Badaga settlement is connected to a sacred grove known as the Banna-gudi, meaning forest and temple respectively. The folklore and oral literature of the region play a pivotal role in their history and culture.
Hetthai Amman
According to the famous folktale of the hill, Hetthai Amman is the prominent god of the tribe, who is considered the grandmother and the protector of the tribe. She is depicted in various forms- as a virgin in the temple at Bergani and Jagathala villages and as a married woman in the temples of the other villages.
The Badagas believe that Hetthai Amman, their ancestral goddess, is a triad of Lakshmi, Saraswathi, and Durga who is responsible for their fortunes. Every year around the Tamil month of Margazhi the Hetthai Habba festival is celebrated elaborately for eight days.
Popular Customs
The Badaga tribe is filled with unique customs and rituals, right from its attire, tattoos, and jewelry to food habits. One such striking custom is the ‘Athikodu’, a specific chant of the Badagas that is sung during weddings, funerals, and Hetthai Habba.
According to the legend, it is said that the Badagas used the Athikodu in the ancient days to keep the animals away as they traveled through the thick forests. Many such fascinating practices continue to prevail among the tribe today.
Literature
Though lacking a written script, the oral literature of the Badaga community has traveled across several generations through folklore which has played a key role in preserving the true essence of this community.
The Badagas with the help of oral knowledge spread from one generation to another have not only managed to keep their culture and tradition intact but have also mastered the art of living in a way that promotes sustainable development of the place and does not harm the environment around them. Overall, the prominence of the Badaga community rests on its distinctive history and value system.
The End Note
Therefore, these tribes may not have been very popular and talked much about but they are very rich- culturally, and customarily. There is a need to learn about them and embrace the characteristics of these groups and their existence. A lot of the practices of these groups are immensely sustainable and sensitive to the environment as well.
A discourse on them would prevent them from being marginalized and ensure their culture from becoming extinct. Moreover one can learn so much from a culture and healthy practices that can be later incorporated into an everyday routine to ensure a sustainable living.
Written By - Ananya Verma
Edited By - Riya Dabas
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