Who Are the Kuruba?
The Kuruba (also Kurumba or Kurba) are a pastoral and agricultural community of Karnataka and neighboring states in southern India. Numbering several million, the Kuruba are diverseāsome sections are classified as Scheduled Tribes (forest-dwelling groups), while others are classified as Other Backward Classes (settled agricultural and pastoral communities). The name derives from "Kuri" (sheep), reflecting their historical association with sheep herding. Kuruba speak Kannada and regional dialects. Forest-dwelling Kuruba of the Nilgiri hills (sometimes called Kurumba) are distinct from the larger pastoral Kuruba population and maintain traditions of gathering, honey collection, and ritual specialization.
Pastoral Heritage
Traditional Kuruba economy centered on sheep and goat herding, with flocks moved seasonally across grazing areas. Wool production supplied local textile needs; meat and milk provided subsistence. Some Kuruba specialized in blanket weaving using sheep wool, producing distinctive textiles for regional markets. This pastoral economy required mobility and detailed knowledge of grazing resources, water sources, and seasonal patterns. Many Kuruba also practiced agriculture, combining cultivation with herding. Historical patronage from Hindu kingdoms recognized Kuruba importance as wool and meat suppliers. Modern economic changes have reduced pastoral viability; many former herders have transitioned to settled agriculture or other occupations.
Nilgiri Kurumba
The Kurumba of the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka represent a distinct group, often classified separately as forest dwellers rather than pastoralists. These Kurumba traditionally inhabited the Nilgiri forest slopes, practicing gathering, honey collection, and some shifting cultivation. They maintained ritual specialization, serving as sorcerers and ritual practitioners for neighboring tribes like the Toda and Badaga. Multiple Kurumba subgroups (Alu, Palu, Betta, Jenu) occupied different ecological niches and maintained distinct identities. The Nilgiri Kurumba have experienced significant change as forests have been converted to tea and coffee plantations, and their ritual roles have diminished with modernization of neighboring communities.
Contemporary Kuruba
Modern Kuruba occupy diverse positions depending on regional and subcaste differences. Some rural Kuruba continue sheep herding, though declining grazing lands and market competition make pastoralism increasingly difficult. Many have transitioned to agriculture, wage labor, or urban occupations. Kuruba political organization has grown; demands for Scheduled Tribe recognition (for those currently in OBC categories) mobilize communities. In Karnataka politics, Kuruba constitute a significant voting bloc that political parties court. Forest-dwelling Kurumba face different challenges: forest rights, access to traditional resources, and cultural preservation. Educational and economic advancement varies widely within the broad Kuruba category, reflecting the diversity encompassed by this communal identity.
References
- Nanjundayya, H. V. & Iyer, L. K. (1930). The Mysore Tribes and Castes
- Hockings, P. (1980). Sex and Disease in a Mountain Community: The Nilgiris
- Thurston, E. (1909). Castes and Tribes of Southern India