Ethnic Diversity and Linguistic Diversity

Timeless stories, diverse languages, enduring traditions – echoes of nature and resilience

Kerala’s indigenous communities, or Adivasis, embody a remarkable diversity of ethnic identities, languages, and cultural traditions. Spread across the forests, hills, and valleys of the Western Ghats and beyond, each community has developed unique ways of life shaped by intimate relationships with their natural surroundings.

With over 35 distinct tribal groups officially recognized in the state, including the Kani, Kurichiya, Muthuvan, Mannan, Paniya, Adiyan, Kattunayakan, and Malavedan communities, Kerala’s Adivasi heritage is richly layered. These communities speak a variety of dialects and languages—many belonging to the Dravidian language family—some of which are endangered or spoken only within small groups. Tribal languages often reflect their environment, cultural practices, and oral traditions, serving not only as a means of communication but also as vessels for ancestral knowledge, folklore, and ecological wisdom.

Ethnically diverse yet spiritually connected to nature, these communities maintain unique customs in agriculture, medicine, worship, and social organization. Despite pressures from modernization and displacement, many continue to uphold their traditional languages, rituals, and worldviews, contributing profoundly to Kerala’s cultural and ecological mosaic.

Today, efforts in cultural preservation, education in mother tongues, and community-based initiatives are helping to protect the ethnic and linguistic richness of Kerala’s indigenous peoples, ensuring that their voices and traditions continue to thrive for generations to come.

The language of a region

The language of a region is shaped by a multitude of factors, including geography, migration patterns, socio-cultural dynamics, and the reorganization of states. The term “linguistic minority” is relative; a group considered a minority in one state may constitute a majority in another. It is often observed that linguistic minority groups are predominantly situated along state borders.

Kasaragod district, located at the northernmost point of Kerala, encompasses an area of 1,961 square kilometers. It is recognized as one of the developmentally disadvantaged districts and is noted for its linguistic diversity. The district is a melting pot of languages, including Malayalam, Kannada, Tulu, Konkani, Marathi, and certain areas where Beary, a derivative of Malayalam, is spoken. These languages belong to the Dravidian language family, with Tulu classified as a non-scheduled language in the constitution. The Tulu-speaking regions of Kasaragod and Karnataka are collectively known as Tulu Nadu, which possesses a unique identity characterized by its distinct geographical territory, language, folklore, and culture.

The geographical context plays a significant role in cultural studies, as it fosters development within its own boundaries. Tulu Nadu is a cultural area where Tulu serves as the common language, and its inhabitants engage in unique rituals and ceremonies. This paper aims to investigate the key issues concerning language and geography among the residents of this linguistic border. Language serves as a conduit for culture and is the primary medium of communication. A significant issue faced by the Tulu Nadu community is their linguistic isolation within Kerala, which results in social and cultural deprivation.