Muthuvan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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, in their backs. The word Muthuvas is derived from the word "muthuku" which means back in Tamil and Malayalam languages. The tribe which carried the idols in their muthuku later settled in the forests near Tamil Nadu came to be known as Muthuvans.
The Muthuvans are very independent and reluctant to contact with outside world. They do not trust the civilized world and hesitant to partake education. They are an exclusive tribe which refuses to connect with other tribes and outside world. Their women folk are strictly prohibited to have contact with outside clan or other people, especially other men. The Muthuvan women usually are secluded in the bamboo huts not allowing even to talk or see men outside their tribe. The major cultivations of Muthuva tribe are ragi, cardamom and lemon grass.[1]
