Oral Customs of Javvaadhumalai Malayalis

Abstract

Tamil Nadu consists of the Eastern and Western Ghats. There are thirty-six tribal people living in these hills including "Adiyaan, Aranaadan, Eravaalan, Irular, Oorali, and Kaniyan." The Eastern Ghats have Javvaadhumalai, Yelagirimalai, Kalvarayanmalai, Servarayanmalai, Chitherimalai, Pachaimalai, Paalamalai, Vattalmalai, Neyyaamalai, Jarugumalai, Parukkurmalai, Kaalimalai, Kadakadalai, and Kollimalai hills. The divisions of the population living in the Western Ghats cannot be seen in these hills. The hills are mainly inhabited by Malayali tribes. The life of these javvaadhu hill people is a simple life. They are also preserving the arts according to the environment in which they live. The oral literature in their case helps to know the life and culture of the hill people.