Understanding Toda tribe

1. UNDERSTANDING TODA TRIBE

2. Introduction
 Inhabitants of the Nilgiri Hills in South India
 Traditionally lived in 64 tribal settlements called Munds
 Known by several other names like Tudas, Tudavans and Toras
 Followers of unique customs and traditions
 Belong to pastoral community from ancient times

3. Dwellings
 The Toda live in Munds at high altitudes of Nilgiri Hills
 Traditional Toda huts are in half-barrel shaped form
 A Toda village consists of ten to twelve huts
 The Munds are made using wood, rattan, bamboo and grass
 The huts have a small doorways and wall motifs of buffaloes

4. Occupation
 Dairying is one of the most important livelihood
 The Toda economy revolves around buffalo rearing
 Milk merchandising includes ghee, cheese, butter, curd etc.
 Sale of buffalos are also part of exchangeable product
 Embroidery work of women folks are sold in market

5. Worship
 Pithi, On, Pinarkurs, Teikirzi and Teipakh were Toda Gods
 Toda temples are constructed in a circular pit lined with stones
 Decorated with sun, moon, serpent and buffalo head motifs
 Prominent high-class men are made priests as holy milkmen
 The purification chants are recited 7 times and others 3 times

6. Food Habits
 Todas are traditional lacto vegetarians
 The main diet being milk and its products
 Favourite dish is rice, boiled in milk locally known as “Jagari”
 Habitual consumption of curd, churned milk and plain milk
 Both genders of the Toda tribe are addicted to liquor

7. Costumes
 Embroidery shawls worn by both genders called Puthkuli
 Toda men wear the Puthkuli over shirts and trousers
 Women wear Puthkuli over a saree and blouse
 Tattoo marks and distinctive hairstyle are identity of women
 Ornaments made of silver, copper and iron are part of costume