Baduga
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An overview
Badugas of Nilgiris The Badugas are the largest indigenous tribal people of the Nilgiri district. Baduga people speak a language called “Badugu”. The language has no Script.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway Badugas of Nilgiris – History from 8000 BC
The Badugas are the largest indigenous tribal people of the Nilgiri district. Baduga people speak a language called “Badugu”. The language has no Script. Their origin dates back to 8000 BC. Badugas are the largest indigenous tribal group in Nilgiris. Some of the main villages where Badugas are settled are Bembatty, Melur, Italar, Tudur, Kukal, Tudagai, Nundala, Meekeri, Bakola, Melkunda, Kilkundha, Tandanadu, Milidenu, Nanjanadu, Nandatti, Accanakal, Jackanari, Aravenu, Thinniyooru, Iyooru and Kannerimukku. They are also knoen as Gowdas of Nilgiris.
During Mouriyan period Buddhist Monks came to Nilgiris to spread Buddhism among the Badugas in Nilgiris. In 1116 A.D., while Baduga King Kalaraja was ruling Nilgiris. A war was fought between King Vishnuvarthana of Hoysala and Baduga King KalaRaja. Kalaraj was killed in the war. Nilgiri came under Hoysala. Later Nilgiri came under Vijayanagar Empire and later under sultan rule and after the death of Tipu sulthan Nilgiri came under Britishers.
Even before Britishers arrived to Nilgiris a Portuguese Priest called Rev. Jocome Fierier visited Nilgiris in 1602 and has recorded that he has found a group of tribal people called Badugas. Todas, Kotas and other Tribes paid tribute to Badugas. Baduga Headmen used to attended Toda and Kota panchayat and solved their problems.
Baduga tribal people distinguished their living place into four categories called Porangadu seame, Thothanadu seame, Merkunadu seame, Kundae seame. Nearly 440 Villages come under this four categories. “Badugu” was the contact language between Badugas and other tribal people before Britishers and other community people arrived to Nilgiris.
Badagas worship several Hindu deities, including Shiva, but their main deity is Hethai, Ayya. They celebrate Hethai Habba in a grand fashion spread over a month during December–January every year
“Tundu” (a white piece of cloth) forms an integral part of the attire of the Baduga women and it is presented to dignitaries visiting the villages as a gesture of goodwill. Badugas marry within their community, and there are strict rules about which clan may intermarry with which others. They celebrate Mari Habba, Uppu Attuva Habba, etc., and their important festival is Hette Habba.
Traditional Cuisine Avare [beans], gaasu [potatos] or kadaley [peas] or the healthy Keerey Soppu. They were part of the daily menu. Ganji Godhumay [wheat] and baththa were grown, harvested and made into flour so that Eragittu, Pothittu and baththa hittu could be made very often if not daily. There was no dearth of haalu [milk], majjigay [butter milk], mosaru [curd] and thuppa [clarified butter].
Baduga tribal people distinguished their living place into four categories called Porangadu seame, Thothanadu seame, Merkunadu seame, Kundae seame. Nearly 440 Villages come under this four categories.
