International Journal of Tamil Language and Literary Studies (Jan 2024)
யானைகளும் தமிழக மலசர் பழங்குடிகளும் / Elephants (Elephas maximus) and the Malasar Tribes of Tamil Nadu
Abstract
The relationship between Elephants and humans in Tamil Nadu has an age-old tradition and has been depicted in the 3000-year-old rock painting, having images of elephants and men. In Sangam Literature, there are more than fifty names for elephants. During the Sangam Period, the elephants were trained and used for warfare. The Elephants are marked as the symbol of the valour of the King. Eventually, they have a vital place in the Tamil rituals. Since from ancient period, the names of towns or places are given by the names referring the Elephants. In Tamil language, there are several proverbs and stories, highlighting the importance of the Elephants. The usage of the trained elephants was highly dependent on warfare activities. After the advent of modern weapons, the need for elephant force in warfare has decreased. Since 1857, Elephants have been maintained in the Wildlife Sanctuary by the Forest Department for logging work. In addition to that, a few elephants were kept in zoological parks for research and entertainment. The Government banned logging in the reserve forests in 1994 and the captive Elephants were kept in the camps for eco-tourism also well-trained elephants (kumki) are used for activities to control the wild elephants. At present, the Forest Department of Tamil Nadu manages the elephant camps at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve’s Theppakadu and Anamalai Tiger Reserve’s Kozhikamuthi in the Western Ghats. In these camps, the tribal people play a vital role in maintaining the Elephants. The Malasar Tribes, at Kozhikamuthi are engaged in the maintenance of elephants and have a cultured lifestyle in harmony with nature. Hence, this article describes the relationship between the Malasar Tribes and Elephants and their Elephant care practices, emphasizing behaviours to avoid Human-Elephant conflict without disturbing biodiversity from the Malasars living alongside them.
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