Geography
The Irular Tribe
- Context: The Masi Magam festival holds immense significance for the Irular community and serves as a vibrant expression of their deep-rooted cultural heritage.
About the Irular Tribe
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- The Irular tribe is found inhabiting the lower slopes and forests at the foothills of the Nilgiris Mountains in Tamil Nadu.
- They constitute the second-largest tribal group in the region, following the Badagas.
- This tribal community engages in the collection and production of honey, fruits, medicinal herbs, roots, resins, and natural dyes.
- In recent times, the Irular people have also become involved in catching and collecting snakes to harvest their venom.
- In Tamil Nadu, they have been officially categorized as a “Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group” (PVTG).
