Description
Trek to the Kurumba land to discover the hidden gem of the Nilgiris.
There are about seven different Niligri tribes. The Kurumba tribe is one of them in the Nilgiri region of Tamilnadu. A rendezvous with the indigenous folks requires you to trek to the Kurumba land, into the forest, nestled inside which are tiny Kurumba hamlets. Kurumbas as a short in stature and reside in the forest leading a lifestyle disconnected from the city chaos.
Traditionally the Kurumbas have subsisted as hunters and honey gatherers. Living in jungles on the steep edges of the plateau, they practice shifting cultivation and the foraging and trapping of small birds and animals. Their houses are made of thatches and mud walls and the flooring is that of cattle dung. There are very few of the typical Kurumba houses in the village today. The Kurumbas are known for the art of making medicine out of forest resources. While most of the Kurumba population have opted for jobs in the tea estate, there are still a few families that practice this traditional tribal art of making medicines.
On this trek to the Kurumba land, one can witness a traditional form of painting using natural colors. The gist of each painting is a depiction of the tribal lifestyle and the interesting anecdotes associated with the Kurumba tribe. In this gentle Nilgiri trek, one can experience a tribal lifestyle that epitomizes the closeness with nature and the art of minimalism. Come join us for a trekking experience to learn more about the Tribes of Nilgiris.
Highlights:
• Hike around Nilgiris through tea gardens leading to the tiny Kurumba hamlets nestled in the forest.
• Witness the minimalist Kurumba lifestyle in the forest.
• Interact with a last surviving artist who specializes in the unique Kurumba painting, an art passed on to him by his grandfather.
• Experience the art of making medicines out of forest resources with a Kurumba family.
