Description

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Context:

Raman Rajamannan, the king of the Mannan community and the only tribal king in Kerala, will participate in the Republic Day parade in Delhi.

About Mannan Community

Aspect	Details
Location	Predominantly in Idukki district, Kerala (97% of the population resides here).
Cultural Origin	Believed to have originated from Tamil Nadu and migrated during the period of Poonjar Kings.
Language	Dialect similar to Tamil (without a script).
Lifestyle	Initially lived in remote forests; later migrated to government-allocated land on the fringes of Periyar Tiger Reserve due to a deforestation ban in the protected area.
Cultural Connection	Closely related to Tamil culture.
System of Descent	Matrilineal system of descent.
Ruler	Raja Mannan, elected by community representatives capable of inheritance.
Religion	Hinduism
Primary Occupation	Agriculture, including harvesting coconuts, herbs, etc.
Festivals	Kalavoot, Meenoot, and Mutthiamman Festival.
Art Form	Mannankoothu is a unique ritual art performed during worship, harvest, and weddings.

Tribes In Kerala

Tribe	Location	Key Features
Kurumba	Attappadi hills, Palakkad	Known for their expertise in herbal medicine, art, and craft.
Irula	Palakkad and Idukki	Primarily engaged in agriculture, honey collection, and traditional healing.
Paniya	Wayanad and Kozhikode	The largest tribal group in Kerala; traditionally worked as agricultural laborers.
Kattunayakan	Wayanad and Malappuram	Expert honey collectors and forest dwellers; worship nature and ancestral spirits.
Adiyan	Wayanad	Traditionally bonded laborers; are now involved in agriculture and related activities.
Muthuvan	Idukki and Wayanad	Known for their role as protectors of the forest; preserve traditional practices.
Malayarayan	Idukki and Pathanamthitta	Primarily agriculturists; have a strong tradition of nature worship.
Uraly	Idukki	Known for their unique customs and rituals; mainly involved in agriculture.
Kanikaran (Kanikkar)	Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam	One of the oldest tribes in Kerala; practice shifting cultivation and basket weaving.
Malapandaram	Pathanamthitta	Nomadic tribes engaged in gathering forest produce and hunting.
Malavedan	Kollam and Idukki	Forest-dependent tribe with a strong oral tradition of folklore and songs.
Aranadan	Malappuram	Nomadic tribes are known for their traditional hunting and food-gathering lifestyle.

Source:

THE HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements about the Mannan Community:

The Mannan community predominantly resides in Idukki district of Kerala with 97% of the population located there.
The Mannans are believed to have originated from Tamil Nadu and migrated during the period of the Poonjar Kings.
They practice a patrilineal system of descent and are governed by a hereditary ruler, the Raja Mannan.
The primary occupation of the Mannan community includes agriculture, particularly the harvesting of coconuts and herbs.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1, 2, and 3
B) 1, 2 and 4
C) 1, 3, and 4
D) 1,2,3 and 4

Answer: D

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Mannan community predominantly resides in Idukki district, Kerala, with around 97% of their population in this area.

Statement 2 is correct: The Mannans are believed to have originated from Tamil Nadu and migrated during the period of the Poonjar Kings.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Mannans follow a matrilineal system of descent, not a patrilineal system, and the ruler, Raja Mannan, is elected by community representatives, not hereditary.

Statement 4 is correct: Agriculture, including the harvesting of coconuts and herbs, is their primary occupation.