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Paniyas, as their name indicates were workers and during earlier times, the landlords used to sell them as bonded labour, along with the plantations. Now they work as paid farm hands. A majority of the tribes seen in Kerala belong to this tribe and they constitute about 70 percent of the tribal population in Wayanad. If you are keen on observing their lifestyle, you can go to their settlement near Tholpetty and see their huts with thatched roofs and mud plastered walls. Monogamy is practised in this sect and widow marriage is allowed. In marriage, bride price has been practised.
The Paniyas worship a deity called Kali and banyan tree. They hesitate to cut banyan trees and believe that if anyone attempts to cut the tree, they will fall sick. During the earlier times, they were headed by a chieftain called Kuttan appointed by the landlord and the head of the family was known as Mudali. Both Kuttan and Mudali are called Mooppanmar. But nowadays there is no headman for this sect.
 The Uraali Kurumas | The Adiyas  |
