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The Badagas are said to have migrated from
Mysore 400 years
ago and make up about one-fourth of the total population of the
Nilgiris district of
Tamil Nadu. Though the Badagas were essentially
agriculturists, they are socially, educationally and even economically
advanced now.
Compared with the other hill tribes, the outstanding characteristic of
the Badagas is their progressiveness. In intelligence, and adaptability to
European methods and occupations they are far superior. Their dwellings,
cultivated lands, and general mode of life, all manifest this superiority.
As in number they are about six times as strong as the remaining tribes
put together, they chiefly represent the natives of the hills - a virile,
wholesome, and industrious people.
Their Origin
Due to the Muslim invasion that destroyed the Hindu Empire of Vijayanagar
in AD 1565, a group of people from the plains of Mysore district were
forced to flee their homes to later become the largest community in the
Nilgiri hills. Collectively called the Badagas, these people, have a
specific language called "Badugu" and occupy the Nilgiris
district of Tamil Nadu.
The name Badaga, which has been spelt as it is pronounced, Budaga, and
corrupted to burgher, literally signifies, "Northener". They are
a tribe of the "Karnarese" of Mysore, and without doubt, their
migration from North (Badaku) accounts for the origin of their name.
Life Style
Most of the Badaga villages scattered over the plateau present a pleasing
appearance with their neat rows of tiled, one-storied houses, surrounded
by tiny fields, the houses, themselves, are built of mud, stone, or brick,
and are covered with tiles. The villages of Badagas are called as "Hatti".
Industrially speaking, the Badagas did not have specialized artisans
until later in the 1930's. Hence, they relied heavily on trading with
neighbours, such as the Todas, Kothas, and Kurumba tribes, for basic
necessities.
Initially, the Badagas manage to survive by using slash and burn farming
techniques. But recently, as a response to the growing middle class, they
started producing cash crops for added income. Generally, the Badagas farm
millets, barley, wheat, potatoes, and cabbages (the latter two produced
mainly for extra income). They also keep large number of cattle, and sell
a good part of their dairy produce to Europeans.
Community
There are number of graded castes among the Badagas. The Lingayat and
Wodeya clans are at the top of the group, and the Toreyas at the bottom.
Different clans of various hierarchies have specific functions in the
community. The Tuneri village, for example, produces the hereditary
position of Badaga chief, the Lingayat village, produces gurus that
oversee life-cycle rituals, and the Wodeya, Haruva, and Kurumbu clans
produce priests of various functions.
Culture
The Badagas are Hindus of the Shiva sect; the shrines and temples of them
are numerous. They celebrate festivals like "Hethe Hubba", "Deva
Hubba", "Dodda Hubba", "Sakklathi Hubba", "Jadeswami
Hubba" and "Mangkali Hubba". They also celebrate the major
Hindu festivals like Diwali, Pongal, Ayutha Puja, etc.
The Badaga language is a mixture of Kannada and Tamil. Though there is no
script for this language, it has a fairly rich oral literature, poetry,
songs, and prayer charts.
The customary dress of Badaga men is a single, coarse, unbleached cloth,
edged with red or blue stripes and turbans are worn. The Badaga women wear
upper and lower cloths of the same material as that worn by men. Their
ornaments consist of brass, iron and silver. Girls of a marriageable age
are tattooed on the forehead and the chest is also tattooed with lines and
dots.
Their complexion is fair, their features are pleasant, their hair black
and straight and they are of medium height. The Badagas are a gentle and
light-hearted people who are fond of music and songs.
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