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The Uraali Kurumas consider themselves as the descendants of ancient powerful Kurumbas, who lived in south India. They are also called Bet Kurumas, who are now mainly found in Mysore district of Karnataka and speak Kannada. But those in Wayanad speak a mixture of Kannada and Malayalam languages. There are also Mulla Kurumas and Jen Kurumas belonging to this Kuruma sect and the Mulla Kurumas consider themselves superior of other Kurumas.
Uraali Kurumas are an artisan tribe and their versatile skill in art and handicrafts are well known. They play flute and drum during festivals. One of their deities is 'Bettu Chikkamma' and an old man performs rituals before the deity and women are not allowed to participate in theses ceremonies. They also worship deities like Bamadu and demons and ancestral spirits. They believe that when one person dies, his soul becomes god if he is good and becomes devil if he is bad.
They choose their life partners from the tribe itself and their main occupation is pottery, mat weaving etc. It is mostly the women who are involved in these tasks. They make baskets and mats of various types with reeds and bamboo.
 Kurichiyas | The Paniyans  |
