Toda tribe

Toda
(Southern Region)
This tribal group is living in Utakmand and Kunnur districts of Tamil Nadu State and
Kenara district of Karnataka State with a small population of 1,716 (1991 census). Their
sex ratio is 1:0.76.
This tribe is famous for its polyandry tradition and buffalo husbandry culture. Their
cultural life is bound to the Nilgiri mountains.
Their physical features are similar to proto-australoid or ainu of Japan (yellowish skin
color, high stature, narrow nose, brown eye, long beard and dense skin hair).
Toda speak the Todi language without any script (Dravidian language group).
It is also believed that those who worship the Tudra (a tree found in the Nilgiri
mountains) are known as Toda.
Toda is divided into two moiety (a moiety include many gotra) – Tarthasol (12 gotra) and
Taivailiol (six gotra).
They live in Aaras (a special low height house) consisting of six to seven huts.
Birth Ceremony
Only the male birth is celebrated. Female infanticide is very common among them. Due
to influence of the polyandry marriage system Purusatpimi ritual (bow and arrow
ceremony) is conducted in the seventh month of the pregnancy to decide the social father
to the expectant baby. One of the husbands goes to the forests and gives a bow and arrow
to his pregnant wife. He remains the father to all children of that woman until another
husband carries out the Purusatpimi ritual. At the time of the birth, Milai ritual is
performed for the child and the father, in which is given a dinner to the community.
Kelchi (an old woman of the clan) is responsible for female infanticide.
Marriage Ceremony
They are Kudupeli (lineage) and Madol (gotra) exogamous. Fraternal polyandry (more
than one brother marries the same woman) is very common. Non-fraternal marriage is
also in existence (due to the inability to pay bride wealth, many clan men share bride
wealth for a common marriage). In any case, the woman is considered as the wife of the
eldest brother. If the younger brother engages in another marriage, even then the marriage
is solemnized with the eldest brother. Due to such kind of marriage, they consider
themselves to be the associated with Pandava (A historical group who fought against
Kaurava in the battle of Mahabharata at Kurushetra. Krishna – a Hindu god was the
witness to this war) and consider their marriage as Panadava marriage (Pandava were a
family of five brothers who married one woman, Draupadi). Bride wealth is the locus of
the marriage. Divorce is in practice but to a very small extent due to the high bride
wealth. Child marriage is in practice. They believe that pre-marital relations are good for
prosperous life, The marriage ceremony starts with the mang ritual (proposal for bride
and the settlement of bride wealth) and ends with Ghumana ritual (departure of bride to
the bridegroom’s house). Bangles are the sign of the marriage.
Pukuli (a piece of cloth) and a piece of wood outside the married woman’s room is the
indication of her sexual engagement with one of her husbands.
Death Ceremony
They do the cremation twice. The first is Hase Kedu (to burn the dead body). In the case
of the death of an unmarried female, an unmarried male is chosen, who puts some grass
on her hand and some rice and jaggery on her clothes. The cross-cousin sister in the case
of the death of an unmarried male performs same ritual. They are now considered as
widow or widower according to the situation. In every death ritual they sacrifice buffalo.
The second ritual is Barakedu, in which the remains of the dead person including the
head and hair are burnt. It is sign of the assimilation of the soul of the dead person with
the Amnador god (god of soul). They have faith in rebirth. In this ritual, buffalo is
sacrificed and its meat is served as dinner.
Economy
The whole economy of Toda comes from Tee (buffalo) husbandry. Women can’t touch
the buffalo, can’t walk on the path which is used for buffalo movement. Palo (priest) and
Kaltmorh (assistant of the priest) look after the buffaloes. Palol changes after very 18
years (he is always from Taivailiol moiety). The earn money from the milk and buffalo
husbandry but they never use the milk. Their economy is based on Badaga, Kota, Irula
and Kurumba (tribes of Nilgiri mountains), who take buffalo milk products and give
different items in exchange.
Religion
Toda are Hindus but Tiukarji is their main goddess. Oan and Pinarkursh are the other
gods and goddess. Since their life revolves around the buffalo, they worship Tee (buffalo)
as god. They also worship Ram, Vishnu, Durga and Paravati (Hindu gods and
goddesses).
Education
Education has put the concept of health among them which ahs maintained their
population (earlier, their population was decreasing due to the absence of education and
influence of primitive beliefs). 9.7% are taking primary and junior level education. Two
junior, one high school and one inter college is in their localities.
Government is giving them land for agriculture under Todapatta Bhumi Niti (Toda land
lease policy) but they are not utilizing these benefits due to their cultural beliefs.
Government has also introduced a buffalo husbandry policy for their economical growth,
which is showing good results.
Toda are familiar with modern life but they don’t want to leave their cultural roots.
Kota, Badaga, Irula and Kurumba have the same socio-cultural life as the Toda.