SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHANGES AMONG NARRIKURAVAS OF TAMIL NADU, A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY

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1 SHORTER NOTE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHANGES AMONG NARRIKURAVAS OF TAMIL NADU, A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY Bhanumathy G. Producer, EMRC, EFLU, Hyderabad bhanu.tanjai@gmail.com Vijayapushpam T. Scientist D, National Institute of Nutrition, ICMR, Jamai-Osmania, Hyderabad pushpaviji@yahoo.com Even before the advent of modern English medicine, there were many indigenous medicinal systems available in India. For example, Ayurveda which is very popular in the present day world is an ancient medicinal system which has its roots deep in Indian past. Indigenous medicine and the use of medicinal plants were very popular among the common folk in India. Medicines were available for common ailments like indigestion and stomachache and to serious injuries like scorpion and snake bites. Unlike the present day medical education, there was no formal medical education earlier. However, several communities (read as castes) and some tribes in India possess the knowledge of ancient medicinal knowledge by virtue of inheritance and pass on some to the successive generations. These doctors with no formal education were quite popular as traditional healers. Therefore the knowledge and the practice of indigenous medicine has been restricted to certain communities only. Several scheduled tribes in India also had the knowledge of indigenous medicine owing to their proximity to the nature. Narrikurravas, the focus of this paper, is one such tribal community of traditional healers from Tamil Nadu, India. An ethno-botanical research has been conducted in the districts of Thanjavur and Thiruchirapally of Tamil Nadu in January 2009 to determine the medical knowledge of Narrikurravas. It revealed that the knowledge of traditional healing among the community members is fast disappearing and losing ground. Senior members of the tribe who still practice traditional healing were interviewed. The traditional healers are a few in number and not in a position to explain the botanical names of the plants. Though there are several reasons for this decline, apathy among the young members to continue their ancient culture as traditional healers could be ascribed as the immediate reason. There is a paradigmatic shift in the socio-economic lifestyle of

2 222 THE EASTERN ANTHROPOLOGIST 65: 2 (2012) Narrikurravas as majority members of the tribe became bead sellers, plastic item sellers. Some of them even turned to petty businessmen and moneylenders among the community. Apart from ascertaining the reasons for this transition among the younger generation towards their traditional knowledge, this paper largely focuses on the socio-economic conditions of Narrikurravas in Thanjavur and Thiruchirapalli districts in Tamil Nadu, South India. Historical Background A historical legend says that the Kingdom of Nanjinadu (the modern Nagercoil region) was once ruled by a Kurava king. Thirukuda Rasapa Kavirayar in his Kutrala Kuravanji hails Karuvas as benevolent kings. Several historical sources acknowledge the early existence of Narrikurravas in places like Idduki, a district in present day Kerala. However, these tribes are nomadic in nature. Narrikurravar or Kurivikaran are the nomadic tribes of Tamil Nadu who are the most exploited people. These Narrikurravas build their settlements on road sides, edge of the playgrounds, near railway and bus stations. They are well versed in several languages like Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and even English. However, their mother tongue is a derivative of Gujarati. The Narrikurravas in Tamil Nadu speak a language called Vaghri booli. Narrikurravas are skilled hunters and are basically flesh eaters. During hunting, gathering and for self-defense purposes, the use of bamboo tress by Narrikurravas is remarkable as they are the inhabitants of mountainous regions 4. Narrikurravas were branded as unlawful tribe and are considered as untouchables (read as dalits) on the basis of their consumption of the meat of dead animals in Tamil Nadu. The British grouped these tribes under a criminal tribal group based on the Criminal Tribes Act However following India s independence they were de-notified in Reasons for Transition The Narrikurravas who were traditional healers changed their lifestyle to petty businessmen for the following reasons. 1. There are no considerable economic benefits in indigenous medicines and in the use of medicinal plants for treatment of various diseases. 2. The traditional medicines used by their ancestors for hundreds of years were unfortunately not documented. 3. As they were nomadic tribes the medicines collected by them were not merged with any scientific knowledge. 4. Due to advanced medical system and science, traditional medicines collected by them were not encouraged by local people 5. The Govt. of Tamil Nadu is trying to impose restraints on traditional medicinal healers by prohibiting practices. 6. They are portrayed as criminal tribes and the medicines given by them are given and exaggerated picture when compared with modern advanced allopathic medicines.

3 SHORTER NOTES Different survey and researches conducted in India on plants used in traditional medicine and in medical systems such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha were recognized whereas the medicinal plants used by Narrikurravas were completely neglected. 8. The country rifles (banned by Indian law) are used by Narrikurravas to hunt animals and birds for food and extract medicinal oil. Hence a large number of medicinal healers and artists of the group turned into criminals. Based on secondary data like government reports, non-governmental agency reports, books, observation and discussion with the Narrikuravas, the pilot study results motivated the researcher to undertake an empirical research with the following objectives in mind. To find out the reasons for the weakening of the traditional medical knowledge. To find out the socio-economic status of Narrikuravas who belong to the Tanjavur and Thirichirapalli districts of Tamil Nadu, India. To identify the occupation mobility and social changes in this group. To find out the government programs for the social development of the scheduled tribe. To find out the cultural factors, health, maintenance and educational levels in the group. The base of the study was to interact with local traditional healers and other households of Narrikurravas in order to document their knowledge on medicinal plants and their socio-economic conditions in modern society. The scope of this study has been restricted to geographical territories of two districts in Tamil Nadu: Thanjavur and Thiruchirapally. There are several reasons behind this desired selection. So far, no systematic ethno-botanical survey has been made in this area and this is the first report on the socioeconomic conditions of Narrikurravas, the traditional and medicinal healers of Tamil Nadu. Moreover, Thanjavur and Thiruchirapalli are the two districts among the 32 districts of Tamil Nadu in which owing to rapid urbanization and advancement in science and technology, traditional knowledge of indigenous medicine is losing ground at a fast pace. These two districts are situated in a fertile plateau rich in agricultural lands. The extent of forest area in these two districts is limited and so is the forest produce. Narrikaruvvas depend mostly on Pachamalai forest region in Thiruchirapalli district medicinal plants. Research Methodology We adopted descriptive research design to identify the privilege implemented by the government and the expectation looking forward from the perspective of the government. Purposive sampling method was adopted in the selection of samples. Only the Narrikurava villages and settlements were included in the study to observe the cultural practices of the people,

4 224 THE EASTERN ANTHROPOLOGIST 65: 2 (2012) their behaviour and life situation. The respondents included both men and women and preliminary discussions were held with NGO (NEWS) which is working for the welfare of the community. Upon discussion interview schedule has been prepared and tested over the people of neighbouring village. After the pre-test necessary modifications were made. Narikurava villages named Devanagari, Ullour, Poolangudi and Budalur were selected as feasible areas for research. Around one hundred and ninety one (191) were interviewed. The information has been collected from rural people and healers near the forest, who depend mostly on the forest for their daily needs and have tremendous knowledge about diseases and remedies using herbal plants. In addition, the observation method was also used to observe the personal hygiene and behaviour of the respondents. A case study method was adopted to find out the traditional medical practices of the particular community and the names of the medicinal plants and the purpose was identified. Analysis was done with SPSS 15. The tribal population in India is million, which constitutes 8.14% of tribal population. Tamil Nadu has 6, 51,321 tribal population as per 2001 census which constitutes 1.02% of the total population. There are 36 tribes and sub-tribes in Tamil Nadu. Literacy rate of the tribal population is 27.9% [10*] (T.N.F.D 2007) the literacy rate of India improved significantly from 35.5 in 1991, to in Similarly the female illiteracy has come down from 11, 648, 661 in 1991, to 9,763, 415 in in Whereas the illiteracy rate of the respondents is 85.3% only 9.9% of them completed up to primary level of education. Even though Tamil Nadu government has implemented various programmes for the government schools, like free uniform, free text books, free note books, mid day meals, bicycles for the high school children, the Narrikurravas have not shown much interest in education. As they have migrated to various places for livelihood, children accompany the adults wherever they go. This is the main reason behind the drop-outs from the Narrikurava community. Income is the major determinant factor which is influencing the status of life of any individual. Economic performance of the country is examined with the key macroeconomic aggregates such as growth rate of the GDP, total food production, foreign exchange reserve, fiscal deficit, annual rate of inflation, and the per capita income. The period of 1990 to 2002 indicates that Indian economy was stronger than in previous decades. The population living below the poverty line during the year is 29.1%. The industrial development of Tamil Nadu is greater than the other south Indian states. According to the human development index Tamil Nadu state is standing above national average whereas in this research it is observed that only 24.6% of the family is coming under more than Rs. 9000/- income group, 32.5% fall between Rs. 4000/- and Rs. 9000/- income groups. The income

5 SHORTER NOTES 225 levels of the community also increased because of the their petty business. The Tamil Nadu government is also providing potable drinking water to the Narrikurava villages. Occupational mobility is reflected in the stratification status from the past to the present. Sometimes, it may go forward and sometimes it turns backward. If we look at table 2, due to low literacy rate there is no change in the present generation following their family occupation. Being a closed group, they don t take any other community or their development as a reference. They concentrate mainly on bead making to sell in religious places, to tourists, in market places, bus and railway stations. A very small percentage is involved in plastic and fancy items sale. It gives an understanding that they are not ready to accept other ways of life. Even though they have permanent settlement, because of social stigma agriculture has not worked out. Majority of the Narrikurravas follow Hinduism. They are a scheduled tribe and are considered untouchables in the state of Tamil Nadu. This study reveals that the interaction with in the Narrikurravas is strong but due to the social stigma only 36.3% of the other community people interact with them. Schooling among Narrikurravas Education is not only an indicator of socio-economic and political progress but also is an accelerator of the same. In 1991, the female literacy rate in Tamil Nadu was 51.3%. In 2001, it is 64.5% which further improved to 73.8% in the year However, the percentage of literacy among Narrikurravas is very low. About 83.35% of Narrikurrava parents are illiterate. However, there is a change in the aptitude of parents and are sending their children to educational institutions. Among the respondents we interviewed though 73% of their children are attending school, comparatively the attendance of the girl children is less (56%). Health Seeking Behaviour In 1955, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India introduced the reproductive and child health program which made a considerable impact on women s health care. A village level sub-centre providing small medical aids and guidance and primary health center level gynecologist were appointed. There is also integration of gender sensitive component in the training of grass root workers. Although the Narrikurravas have the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and healing, 73 women in the respondent families were admitted into government hospital for child birth and health care. Consumption of nutritious food is a pre-requisite for growth, development and maintenance of health. According to National Monitoring Bureau, India 2002, consumption

6 226 THE EASTERN ANTHROPOLOGIST 65: 2 (2012) of nutritional food among rural population is very low when compared to city dwellers. Cereals are the major staple food. In adequate consumption of pulses, green leafy vegetables milk, fruits fats and oils is also observed. The major staple food in Tamil Tadu is rice (or) rice based food. To meet the required amount of protein, pulses and legumes are also used. This research reveals that they prefer to consume more flesh-food which is hunted by them rather than vegetables. However, at the same time, they consume vegetables and fruits also. If we observe the food intake pattern, 76% of them are eating the breakfast from road side which is not safe and hygiene. 50.3% of them take lunch at home. Since they are involved in petty businesses, in the market areas and bus stations, they manage to have their lunch in small hotels. However 98.4% have their dinner at home. The National Monitoring Bureau, India , indicate that the consumption of food items such as milk and milk products, fats and oils were less consumed among the weaker sections like scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. In the study, the observation reveals that the diet of Narrikurravas is not nutritious devoid of micro-nutrients and vitamin-rich food items. The Tamil Nadu government provided free television to those below poverty line (BPL) population. 69% of the respondents of Narrikurava families own TV sets. Most of them watch movies and spend time watching news. Hence, their general awareness about the world is quite sound. 51% listen to radio, 69% owns two wheelers for transportation, and 11% of the respondents purchase newspaper (this shows a low literacy rate). Ever since the advancement of media like print media, television and radio reached the community, communication technology mainly mass media brought light into the life of the Narrikurravas. Even though the micro-finance scheme is accessed to them they are expecting major loans (for constructing house, to start or invest in small business toilet facilities and purchase of gas stove) from the government to improve their life status. The younger generation of the Narrikurravas shows more interest towards modern ways of clothing these days. As they moved away from the forest, and started living and doing business among the urban population, they prefer to hide their identity of the traditional tribal dress. The elders however still maintain their traditional dress. Conclusion In conclusion, the research points out that the Narrikurravas are on the way to modernity. However, the fruits of modernity are still at large for Narrikurravas as they live in utter poverty coupled with social stigma. Though modernization has its influence on the community, much of the communities attributes continue to remain in the past. The researchers further note that it is mandatory and necessary to know the life of the Narrikurravas before

7 SHORTER NOTES 227 exploring their knowledge of medicinal world. Therefore in a way, this project has to be treated as a comprehensive study of Narrikurravas and their way of life. The researchers strongly opine that the medicinal system evolved by Narrikurravas be given serious consideration on par with modern medicinal systems by the government. A right balance of traditional and modern medical systems would not only save the tradition of Narrikurravas from being extinct but would also assist them in reaping the benefits of modern system. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The researchers are grateful to the local traditional healers in the Tanjavur and Thirucherapalli districts for sharing their knowledge on herbal medicine. The researchers would also like to acknowledge their sincere thanks and appreciation to a local NGO-NEWS (Narrikuruvas Educational and Welfare Society), Thiruchurapalli, for their support. The researchers hereby thank Ms. Jothy Meenakshi of St. Pious Degree College, Hyderabad and Mr. Sankara Rao- EMMRC, Hyderabad, for their assistance in data processing. Table 1 Socio-Economic Status of the Respondents, N (191) Gender Percentage Male 125 Female 66 Religion Percentage Hindu 99 Christian 0.5 Others 0.5 Literacy Percentage Illiterate 85.3 Primary 9.9 SSLC 3.1 UG 1.5 Income Percentage > Table 2 Drinking Water Sources Drinking water supply 88 Well 4.7 Bore well 7.3

8 228 THE EASTERN ANTHROPOLOGIST 65: 2 (2012) Table 3 Occupational Type of the Respondant and Their Parents (%) N191 S. No. Bead Fancy items Plastic item Hunting Combination] making sales sales Father Mother Respondent Table 4 Food Intake Pattern of Narrikuravas Food Intake type Breakfast Lunch Dinner Home food Hotel food Street food Table 5 Entertainment Through TV S.No. Name of the Item Yes No 1 Cinema Serials Songs News Table 5 Item Intake: Trends S.No. Food Item Yes No. 1 Vegetables Fruits Green leafy Milk Millets Cereals Non-veg Hunted animal food 98 2

9 SHORTER NOTES 229 Talbe 7 Expectations from the Government S. No Name of the Help-Type Yes No 1 Loan Toilet Gas stove 98 2 Table 8 Dress Code N (191) S.No. Clothes-Type Percentage 1 Traditional Modern Both 33.5 Table 9 The Preception of the Respondent About Social Stigma S.No. Social Stigma Precentage 1 Yes No Total 100