Todas

Todas
Tribes and Adivasi in Ooty in The Nilgiris in TamilNadu state
The district of Nilagiri in Tamil Nadu is noted for its ancient tribes the Todas, the Kotas, the Kurumbas and the Paniyas.

Todas

The Toda are known by several names like Tudas, Tudavans, and Todar. They are found only in Nilgiri district.The Government of India has  identified the Toda as one of the six Primitive Tribal groups of Tamil Nadu.  The name Toda is supposed to be derived from the word 'tud', the sacred tud tree of Todas.

Kothas

The Kothas, live in Seven settlements, generally known as Kotagiri or Kokkal.  They are village artisans, who are good in carpentry, black smithy and pottery.

Kurumbas 

The Kurumba houses known as "GUDLU" are temporary constructions in the forests. The traditional occupation of the Kurumbas is food gathering, like collection of honey and forests produce.The   Mullukurumbas  of   Gudalur   are  a  District  group  and  are  believed  to  belong  to  a  pre agricultural    tribe,   since   they   still    use   bow    and   arrow    for   occasional   hunting.   They  live in   nine   settlements   in   Erumad    area   and   Cherangodu   village.   They  are   mainly   agricultural labourers.  They  are  hard  working   people.

Irulas

Irulas with a few subsects among them are living in Masinagudi area, and in parts of Kotagiri and Coonoor Taluks. They are generally engaged in Collection of minor forest products.

Paniyas

The Paniyas have been bonded labourers for several generations on land owned by a non tribal forest dwelling community.

Tribal Museum, Ooty

Adivasi song from Gudalur valley – Tamil Nadu