Chola Naikas - The Ancient Tribal Settlement in India

CHOLA NAIKAS

Chola Naika is a primitive aboriginal community, who lives in caves of Nilambur forests. It was in 1991, their population figured as 360. They are one among the last remaining the hunter -gather tribes of the world. The name is derived from ‘Chola’ or ‘Shola’, which means ‘forests ‘as they live in forests. Chola Naikans speak Canarese, a dialect of Kannada (language of Karnataka state).The remaining tribal Settlement is in Mancheeri nearer to Nedumkyam of Nilambur Taluk with 10 zones.

They have been living in 10 zones or JAMAM in Chungthara-Karulai forests ranges. They earn their daily bread by hunting and gathering of wild products.Chola Naikans belong to PRAKTHANA community who are said to be migrated from Mysore forests.

LIFE STYLE OF CHOLA NAIKAS

Chola Naikans dwell in Kallale (Caves) or small huts .During rainy season; they used to live in caves far from river. But these days, chola naikas prefer to live in huts. Still they use caves for temporary purpose, especially when they go for gathering of wild products.

Their traditional habits were hunting and gathering of wild potatoes .But today wild product collection replaced the old habit of chola naikans.Today Chola naikans actively engage in making baskets, fish hunting etc.Chola Naika women spend their time for cooking, firewood collection, caring of children and a host of other things.

During February and March, they collect honey from the jungle and store it in pots made of bamboos. They hunt animals like bison, wild boar, monkey, wild squirrel, deer and various types of birds by placing traps.Chola naikans use a wide range of tools such as axe, cutter and net.

They collect pepper, ginger, gooseberry, turmeric, and cardamom and so on from the jungle and sell to the cooperative society in Karulai and buy rice, salt, jaggery, arcanut, bêteleaf, coconut oil etc.So Chola naikas still practice barter system.