Ethnic Groups in Kerala - Ethnic History

Ethnic History

Racial and ethnic history of Kerala is highly controversial and disputed among the cultural anthropologists, historians and other scholars. The people of Kerala, known as "Malayali" (people speaking Malayalam language), is polygenetic and belong to different ethnic groups and religions. It is important note that the national Census of India does not recognise racial or ethnic groups within India. According to a 2009 study published by David Reich et al., the modern Indian population is composed of two genetically divergent and heterogeneous populations which mixed in ancient times, known as Ancestral North Indians (ANI, Indo-Aryan-speaking population) and Ancestral South Indians (ASI, Dravidian-speaking population).

• Negrito element: the earliest racial strain in the population of Kerala as of South India in general. These people still live in forests of Kerala state. Most of these tribes' have curly hair, black skin, round head and broad nose.

e.g.: Hill tribes such as Kadar, Kanikkar, Malapandarams, Mutuvans, Ullatans, Uralis, Paniyas etc.

• Proto-Australoids: the Negritos were probably replaced by Proto-Australoids. These people have long head, flat nose and dark skin.

e.g.: Tribes such as Irulans, Kurichiyas, Karimpalans, Mala Arayans, Mala Vetans etc.

• Mediterraneans form the main element of present Dravidian population of Kerala. They superseded the Proto-Australoids in South India. These people perhaps came to India from the Mediterranean fearing Greeks in three distinct waves, one of which settled in Western India, another in North India, and a third in South India. With the beginning of the increased Aryan settlements in north-western India, the Mediterranean population settled there probably migrated to South India to join with the first wave of migrants.

Mediterraneans form the main element of Dravidians in the population of Kerala. e.g.: Nairs (12.88% of population), Vellalas, Kammalas, Ezhavas (22.91%), (Pulayas (3.27%), Parayas, Kuruvas may also be included in this group) etc.

• Aryans (began to enter Kerala from 3rd–2nd century BCE): The Namboothri Brahmins (1.59%)and upper sections of Nairs(12.88% of population),Namboothiries represent the later elements among the Brahmin migrants and Nairs are mixed origin of Dravida,Arya, Sithiya races .