Irular in India

Introduction / History

The Irular people inhabit the northern districts of Tamil Nadu, a state in northeastern India. Located not far from the city of Madras, they live in a tropical area subject to monsoon rains. Their language, Irula, is related to Tamil and Kannada, which are southern Dravidian languages.

In the Tamil language, the name Irular means "people of darkness." This could refer to their dark-colored skin or to the fact that all important events traditionally took place in the darkness of night.

They were descendants of Romani. Living in caves, they used to hunt and procure forest resources. Subsequently they began to live in huts made of bamboo and slowly learnt the art of cultivation. Irulars had to look on helplessly when licensed contractors were going on a deforestation spree. Due to scarcity of bamboo, they began to build huts with soil and stones. When the hills were occupied by the people of the valley, Irular drew back to interior woods. Even then others made inroads to their settlements.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Ragi, mustard, grains and pulses are their main crops. There are Irular landlords, who own 5 to 10 acres of land. But due to shortage of rains, cultivation of grains is decreasing. They used to rotate their crops.

Cattle production is another source of income. In the forests they collect wild resources like honey, frankincense, firewood and the like. Rice has become their staple food. They eat all kinds of meat except beef. They cook once a day for supper.

There are many Irular customs and observances involved from the birth to death of a person. When pregnancy approaches they set up a tent near the woman's house. Elderly women who are well versed in magic tend to the needs of the pregnant woman. When the child is born, the child's aunt takes a glass of water and sprinkles it on the child. For seven days nobody will go out of the tent and none will be allowed to enter the tent. Food will be sent to occupants in the tent.

On the seventh day they hold a huge naming ceremony for the child. The name will be the name of grandfather or grandmother. Rangan, Nanjan, Marutan, Kalimuthu, Kalithamma, Vaduki, Muruki are some common names. For three months relatives other than the immediate parents, should not touch the child. Those three months are taboo or termed as unholy. Those days the mother should eat and take rest without doing any work while the father will attend to all work.

Marriage is fixed for girls within the age limit of 12 -18 whereas boy's age is from 14-24. People from the same clan within the Irular tribe do not intermarry. Marriages are fixed with in the family by the parents. The young man’s family must pay a bride price the form of cash or cattle. Marriage is arranged in the presence of tribal chief. The marriage ceremony takes place in the ancestral home where the village god is installed. An elder called Guruvan presides over this. The Irular do not consider marriages valid unless it’s acknowledged by the local panchayat.

Relatives and others who gather will settle civil as well financial disputes. If the dead is a married woman, seven persons from seven clan remove the thali (marital necklace). Later they rejoice and dance giving thanks to the god for preserving them. This rejoicing is known as Shapparayattam. Mourning and weeping is not done in the house. The body will be buried after 3 days. Till then the Shapparayattam continues. The body that is wrapped in linen is buried in the pit dug, where there will be a furrow to place the head. This is to avoid mud falling on the head. After the burial it is customary that food is served on the banks of the brook.

Irular who comes back after the burial, warms his feet by setting grass or straw on fire, which is pulled out from the roof. A full pot of water is kept at the entrance of the house. Caster or jingly oil is dropped into this water with a thin stick. First drop is dripped by invoking the name of the dead person and the second drop by uttering the name of the father. When the two drops joined, the head of the family touches it and applies it on his forehead. Before entering the house, occupants need to bathe. This ceremony is referred to as Nizhalkoothu.

In appearance, the widow or the widower has to live as they saw each other at last before one's death. This is observed so as to recognize each other after the other too died. This demonstrates that the Irular believe in life after death.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Although the Irula are Hindu, elements of their traditional ethnic religion are still part of their lives. Many of them have retained their own tribal beliefs that revolve around the spirit world. "House deities" are very important. They are the inherited clan-gods that are passed down through the male descendants. Bujaris, or priests, are used to contact the supernatural world of deities and spirits.

What Are Their Needs?

In general moral values as a community are high. But murder, liquor consumption, chewing beetlenut, strife, cheating, using abusive language has held them back.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord of the harvest to send full-time laborers to win, equip and send Irula people in the name of Christ.
Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Ask the Lord to bring forth a triumphant Irula church, based on obedience to Jesus Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project