The Lifestyle Values of the Mullu Kurumba Tribal People

Abstract

A society's 'kinship systems' and 'values of living' play a pivotal role in determining its civilizational maturity and cultural stability. Regardless of the extent of technological advancement in human civilization, it is social norms that bind a community together, preventing its disintegration. Even amidst the intense impact of modern globalization, industrialization, and urbanization, the fact that the Mullu Kurumbas of the Western Ghats have preserved their traditional family structures and clan norms intact is a phenomenon of great anthropological interest. Furthermore, this study highlights how their life-cycle rituals—spanning from birth to death—transcend mere ceremony to function as social instruments that renew the duties and rights shared among kin. The significance of this study lies in documenting—in written form—the oral traditions and social norms of an ancient tribe that are otherwise fading away in the relentless flow of time. Understanding the way of life of the Mullu Kurumbas—who continue to thrive as a crime-free, autonomous community under the guidance of their village head, known as the 'Mooppan' is essential.