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| {{Short description|Ethnic group in India}} | {{Short description|Ethnic group in India}} | ||
| {{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} | ||
| {{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}} | {{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}} | ||
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| | pop3 = 10,259 | | pop3 = 10,259 | ||
| | languages = ] | | languages = ] | ||
| | religions = ],<ref name="censusindia.gov.in">"Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India". www.censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 2 November 2017.</ref> ], ] | |||
| | related = ], ], ] | | related = ], ], ] | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''Irula''', also known as '''Iruliga'',''''' are a ] ethnic group inhabiting the Indian states of ], ] and ].<ref>Perialwar, R. (1979), Phonology of Irula with Vocabulary, Annamalai University</ref> A ], their population in this region is estimated at around 200,000 people.<ref name="worldbank_rat"></ref><ref name="ashanet_irula_project"></ref> People of Irula ethnicity are called ''Irular'', and speak ], which belongs to the ] languages family.<ref></ref> | '''Irula''', also known as '''Iruliga'',''''' are a ] ethnic group inhabiting the Indian states of ], ] and ].<ref>Perialwar, R. (1979), Phonology of Irula with Vocabulary, Annamalai University</ref> A ], their population in this region is estimated at around 200,000 people.<ref name="worldbank_rat"></ref><ref name="ashanet_irula_project"></ref> People of Irula ethnicity are called ''Irular'', and speak ], which belongs to the ] languages family.<ref></ref> | ||
| ⚫ | == Distribution and Religion == | ||
| == Etymology == | |||
| ''Irular'' means "dark people" in Tamil and Malayalam, from the root word ''irul'', meaning "darkness." Thurston speculated that it either referred to the darkness of the jungles which they inhabited or their dark skin complexion.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Thurston|first=Edgar|url=https://en.wikisource.org/Castes_and_Tribes_of_Southern_India/Irulas|title=Castes and Tribes of Southern India|year=1909}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=H.V. Nanjundayya|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.4002|title=The Mysore tribes and castes|last2=L.K. Anathakrishna|date=1930|publisher=Mysore, Mysore University}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | == Distribution == | ||
| The tribe numbers around 200,000 spread across three states: 189,621 in Tamil Nadu, 23,721 in Kerala and 10,259 in Karnataka. Those in Karnataka are named Iruligas. The Irulas are mainly concentrated in northern Tamil Nadu: in a wedge extending from ] and ] districts in the west to ] and ] districts in the south and ] in the north. Small populations live in ] and ] districts and were classified by Thurston as a different population. In Kerala, the Irulas are in ], while in Karnataka they are concentrated in ] and ] districts.<ref name="census"/> | The tribe numbers around 200,000 spread across three states: 189,621 in Tamil Nadu, 23,721 in Kerala and 10,259 in Karnataka. Those in Karnataka are named Iruligas. The Irulas are mainly concentrated in northern Tamil Nadu: in a wedge extending from ] and ] districts in the west to ] and ] districts in the south and ] in the north. Small populations live in ] and ] districts and were classified by Thurston as a different population. In Kerala, the Irulas are in ], while in Karnataka they are concentrated in ] and ] districts.<ref name="census"/> | ||
| The Irula people practice some sort of ] where they primarily believe in a Goddess named Inga who lives with her 6 sisters worshipped in the form of stones under trees. The Irula people traditionally believe that these 7 sisters created the first Irula man and woman. This traditional concept of 7 Goddesses was ] as ]. The Irula people also believe in Ancestral Spirits, and they traditionally believe that Kannipe (spirits of virgin girls) can possess anyone. These kannipe spirits are worshipped as guardian deities of villages by Irula tribals. The Irula also believe in the presence of evil spirits known as Pe who can possess and haunt people in order to keep these spirits away. A ] is sacrificed and offered to them. Many Irula people worship Hindu Gods and also take part in Hindu festivals. Some Irulas have also been converted to ]. | |||
| == Genetics == | |||
| {{Main|Genetics and archaeogenetics of South Asia}}]|262x262px]] | |||
| A study by Yelmen et al (2019) found that the Irula were the closest likely proxy for the indigenous 'AASI', or Ancient Ancestral South Indian, one of the presumed founder and autochthonous original Indian populations. They showed a closer fit when modelled than alternatives that have been suggested such as the ] or East Asians.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Yelmen|first1=Burack|last2=Mondal|first2=Mayukh|last3=Marnetto|first3=David|last4=Pathak|first4=Ajay|last5=Montinaro|first5=Francesco|last6=Romero|first6=Irene|last7=Kivisild|first7=Toomas|last8=Metspalu|first8=Mait|last9=Pagani|first9=Luca|date=2019-04-05|title=Demographic Histories and Opposite Selective Pressures in Modern South Asian Populations|journal=Molecular Biology and Evolution|volume=36|issue=8|pages=1628–1642|doi=10.1093/molbev/msz037|pmid=30952160|pmc=6657728|url=https://academic.oup.com/mbe/article/36/8/1628/5364274}}</ref> | |||
| The DNA analysis (2018) of a skeleton from the ] found in ] showed greater affinity with the Irula people than any other modern ethnic group in India.<ref>4500-year-old DNA from Rakhigarhi reveals evidence that will unsettle Hindutva nationalists </ref> | |||
| == Language == | == Language == | ||
| The Irula speak the ], a ] that is closely related to ].<ref>{{cite web |title=People of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve |url=http://keystone-foundation.net/web/nbr/ |publisher=Keystone Foundation |access-date=26 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929230456/http://keystone-foundation.net/web/nbr/ |archive-date=29 September 2007 |date=2006}}</ref> | The Irula speak the ], a ] that is closely related to ].<ref>{{cite web |title=People of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve |url=http://keystone-foundation.net/web/nbr/ |publisher=Keystone Foundation |access-date=26 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929230456/http://keystone-foundation.net/web/nbr/ |archive-date=29 September 2007 |date=2006}}</ref> | ||
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| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| Traditionally, the main occupation of the Irulas has been ] |
Traditionally, the main occupation of the Irulas has been ] and rat catching, and ] collection. They also work as labourers<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 July 2021|title=Criminalizing Scheduled Tribes in Post Independence State|url=https://article51a.in/criminalizing-scheduled-tribes-in-post-independence-state/|url-status=dead|website=Article 51-A|access-date=28 July 2021|archive-date=18 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118203936/https://article51a.in/criminalizing-scheduled-tribes-in-post-independence-state/}}</ref> (]s) in the fields of the ] during the sowing and harvesting seasons or in the rice mills. Fishing and cattle farm is also a major occupation. | ||
| Rats destroy a quarter of the grain grown on ]-area farms annually. To combat this pest, Irula men use a traditional earthen pot ] method. Smoke is blown through their mouths, which leads to severe respiratory and heart problems.<ref name="worldbank_rat"/> | Rats destroy a quarter of the grain grown on ]-area farms annually. To combat this pest, Irula men use a traditional earthen pot ] method. Smoke is blown through their mouths, which leads to severe respiratory and heart problems.<ref name="worldbank_rat"/> | ||
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| In January 2017, Masi Sadaiyan and Vadivel Gopal from the Irula tribe of ] were brought in, along with two translators, to work with detection dogs to track down and capture invasive ] in ], Florida.<ref></ref> The Irula men and their translators were paid $70,000 by the State of ], and captured 14 pythons in less than two weeks.<ref></ref> | In January 2017, Masi Sadaiyan and Vadivel Gopal from the Irula tribe of ] were brought in, along with two translators, to work with detection dogs to track down and capture invasive ] in ], Florida.<ref></ref> The Irula men and their translators were paid $70,000 by the State of ], and captured 14 pythons in less than two weeks.<ref></ref> | ||
| ==Caste |
== Caste discrimination == | ||
| Irula people face severe discrimination and harassment from other castes and numerous such cases are reported every year. | Irula people face severe discrimination and harassment from other castes and numerous such cases are reported every year. | ||
| * In 2020, a girl named Dhanalaxmi was assaulted and barred from getting a Scheduled Tribe certificate by ] community in her village.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Marx|first=Karal|date= |
* In 2020, a girl named Dhanalaxmi was assaulted and barred from getting a Scheduled Tribe certificate by ] community in her village.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Marx|first=Karal|date=27 July 2020|title=Tamil Nadu: Four assault Irula girl for seeking caste certificate|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/puducherry/tamil-nadu-four-assault-irula-girl-for-seeking-caste-certificate/articleshow/77191277.cms|access-date=21 November 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> | ||
| * In Dharmapuri, Irula people were trashed and urinated upon by a mob who were infuriated by the marriage between a Irula man and a ] woman.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pramod Madhav|date=September |
* In Dharmapuri, Irula people were trashed and urinated upon by a mob who were infuriated by the marriage between a Irula man and a ] woman.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pramod Madhav|date=20 September 2021|title=Tamil Nadu: Irula tribe members say they were thrashed, urinated upon after inter-caste couple eloped|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/cities/chennai/story/tamil-nadu-irula-tribe-members-thrashed-urinated-upon-inter-caste-marriage-1854828-2021-09-20|access-date=21 November 2021|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> | ||
| == Police Atrocities == | |||
| Irula people have been continuously harassed and abused by Tamil Nadu State Police for decades. Some of the well-known and recently happened events are: | |||
| * Athiyur Vijaya Rape (1993)<ref>{{Cite web |title=News: Plea to Tamil Nadu govt. to move SC on cops, acquittal in rape of ST girl! |url=https://peoplesrights.in/english/?p=36 |url-status=live |website=Peoplerights.in}}</ref> | |||
| * Thirukoyilur mass rape (2011)<ref>{{Cite news|date=|title=Irular victims of TN's decade-old rape, torture case still wait for trial to begin|work=New Indian Express|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/dec/23/irular-victims-of-tns-decade-old-rape-torture-case-still-wait-for-trial-to-begin-2398751.html}}</ref> | |||
| * Abduction by Alangiyam Tripur Police Station (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Criminalizing Scheduled Tribes in Post Independence State|url=https://article51a.in/criminalizing-scheduled-tribes-in-post-independence-state/|url-status=dead|website=Article 51A|access-date=28 July 2021|archive-date=18 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118203936/https://article51a.in/criminalizing-scheduled-tribes-in-post-independence-state/}}</ref> | |||
| *Four Fake theft cases foisted against 14-year-old Irula Boy in Virudhachalam Police Station (2022).<ref>{{Cite news|title=ஜெய்பீம் பட பாணியில் இருளர் இன சிறுவன் 4 பொய் வழக்குகள் பதிவு?|work=Abp Tamilnadu|url=https://tamil.abplive.com/news/villupuram/4-false-cases-registered-against-virudhachalam-irular-caste-boy-jai-bhim-movie-style-police-trespass-35361}}</ref> | |||
| *Seven false theft cases foisted against 7 Irula tribe men.<ref>{{Cite web |title=காட்டேரிக்குப்பம் காவல்நிலையத்தில் பழங்குடியினர் சித்திரவதை, பொய் வழக்கு: சி.பி.ஐ. விசாரணைக் கோரி ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் |url=https://www.peoplesrights.in/tamil/?p=1584 |url-status=live |website=Peoplerights.in}}</ref> | |||
| == See also == | == See also == | ||
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| == External links == | == External links == | ||
| {{commons category|Irula people}} | {{commons category|Irula people}} | ||
| *{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Irulas|volume=14| page=853 |short=x}} | |||
| * {{cite web | title=fwc news: Irula tribesmen and detector dogs help UF/IFAS and FWC remove pythons in Florida | website=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | date=23 January 2017 | url=http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2017/january/23/python-projects/ | access-date=23 September 2018 | archive-date=23 September 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923235156/http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2017/january/23/python-projects/ | url-status=dead }} | * {{cite web | title=fwc news: Irula tribesmen and detector dogs help UF/IFAS and FWC remove pythons in Florida | website=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | date=23 January 2017 | url=http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2017/january/23/python-projects/ | access-date=23 September 2018 | archive-date=23 September 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923235156/http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2017/january/23/python-projects/ | url-status=dead }} | ||
| *{{cite web | title=One Florida agency put out a want ad for python killers | website=msn.com | date=15 March 2017 | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/one-florida-agency-put-out-a-want-ad-for-python-killers/ar-AAogQhZ?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315085139/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/one-florida-agency-put-out-a-want-ad-for-python-killers/ar-AAogQhZ?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp | archive-date=15 March 2017 | url-status=dead}} | *{{cite web | title=One Florida agency put out a want ad for python killers | website=msn.com | date=15 March 2017 | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/one-florida-agency-put-out-a-want-ad-for-python-killers/ar-AAogQhZ?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315085139/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/one-florida-agency-put-out-a-want-ad-for-python-killers/ar-AAogQhZ?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp | archive-date=15 March 2017 | url-status=dead}} | ||
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| * {{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} | * {{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} | ||
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Latest revision as of 09:27, 17 December 2024
Ethnic group in IndiaEthnic group
 Irula men from the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, c.1871 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 213,641 (2011 census) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 India | |
| Tamil Nadu | 189,621 |
| Kerala | 23,721 |
| Karnataka | 10,259 |
| Languages | |
| Irula | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism, Traditional Religion, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Soliga, Tamil, Yerukala | |
Irula, also known as Iruliga, are a Dravidian ethnic group inhabiting the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. A scheduled tribe, their population in this region is estimated at around 200,000 people. People of Irula ethnicity are called Irular, and speak Irula, which belongs to the Dravidian languages family.
Distribution and Religion
The tribe numbers around 200,000 spread across three states: 189,621 in Tamil Nadu, 23,721 in Kerala and 10,259 in Karnataka. Those in Karnataka are named Iruligas. The Irulas are mainly concentrated in northern Tamil Nadu: in a wedge extending from Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts in the west to Ariyalur and Cuddalore districts in the south and Tiruvallur district in the north. Small populations live in Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts and were classified by Thurston as a different population. In Kerala, the Irulas are in Palakkad district, while in Karnataka they are concentrated in Ramanagara and Bangalore districts.
The Irula people practice some sort of Animism where they primarily believe in a Goddess named Inga who lives with her 6 sisters worshipped in the form of stones under trees. The Irula people traditionally believe that these 7 sisters created the first Irula man and woman. This traditional concept of 7 Goddesses was Sanskritised as Sapta Matrika. The Irula people also believe in Ancestral Spirits, and they traditionally believe that Kannipe (spirits of virgin girls) can possess anyone. These kannipe spirits are worshipped as guardian deities of villages by Irula tribals. The Irula also believe in the presence of evil spirits known as Pe who can possess and haunt people in order to keep these spirits away. A Rooster is sacrificed and offered to them. Many Irula people worship Hindu Gods and also take part in Hindu festivals. Some Irulas have also been converted to Christianity.
Language
The Irula speak the Irula language, a Dravidian language that is closely related to Tamil.
Economy
Traditionally, the main occupation of the Irulas has been snake and rat catching, and honey collection. They also work as labourers (coolies) in the fields of the landlords during the sowing and harvesting seasons or in the rice mills. Fishing and cattle farm is also a major occupation.
Rats destroy a quarter of the grain grown on Tamil Nadu-area farms annually. To combat this pest, Irula men use a traditional earthen pot fumigation method. Smoke is blown through their mouths, which leads to severe respiratory and heart problems.
In January 2017, Masi Sadaiyan and Vadivel Gopal from the Irula tribe of Tamil Nadu were brought in, along with two translators, to work with detection dogs to track down and capture invasive Burmese pythons in Key Largo, Florida. The Irula men and their translators were paid $70,000 by the State of Florida, and captured 14 pythons in less than two weeks.
Caste discrimination
Irula people face severe discrimination and harassment from other castes and numerous such cases are reported every year.
- In 2020, a girl named Dhanalaxmi was assaulted and barred from getting a Scheduled Tribe certificate by Vanniyar community in her village.
- In Dharmapuri, Irula people were trashed and urinated upon by a mob who were infuriated by the marriage between a Irula man and a Vanniyar woman.
See also
References
- ^ "A-11 Individual Scheduled Tribe Primary Census Abstract Data and its Appendix". censusindia.gov.in. Government of India. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
- "Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India". www.censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- Perialwar, R. (1979), Phonology of Irula with Vocabulary, Annamalai University
- ^ World Bank grant to improve standard of living for rat-catchers
- Irula Project Proposal and site report
- President gives nod to add Puducherry's Irular community in the Scheduled Tribes list
- "People of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve". Keystone Foundation. 2006. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
- "Criminalizing Scheduled Tribes in Post Independence State". Article 51-A. 28 July 2021. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- Snake hunters from India are the latest weapons in Florida’s war on pythons
- One Florida agency put out a want ad for python killers
- Marx, Karal (27 July 2020). "Tamil Nadu: Four assault Irula girl for seeking caste certificate". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- Pramod Madhav (20 September 2021). "Tamil Nadu: Irula tribe members say they were thrashed, urinated upon after inter-caste couple eloped". India Today. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
External links
- "fwc news: Irula tribesmen and detector dogs help UF/IFAS and FWC remove pythons in Florida". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 23 January 2017. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
- "One Florida agency put out a want ad for python killers". msn.com. 15 March 2017. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017.
- "Building a better Rat Trap: Technological Innovation, Human Capital and the Irular" - Economic Research Paper about the Irula
- "Irular: The Seekers of light" - Article by G. S. Unnikrishnan Nair in Kerala Calling March 2014