More than 181 members of the Hakki Pikki tribal community from Karnataka are stuck in violence-hit Sudan, even as the government is making efforts to bring them back.
Who are the Hakki Pikki?
- The Hakki Pikki is a tribe that lives in several states in west and south India, especially near forest areas.
- Hakki Pikkis (Hakki in Kannada means ‘bird’ and Pikki means ‘catchers’) are a semi-nomadic tribe, traditionally of bird catchers and hunters.
- According to the 2011 census, the Hakki Pikki population in Karnataka is 11,892.
- In different regions, they are known by different names, such as Mel-Shikari in northern Karnataka and Maharashtra.
They are divided into four clans:
- Gujaratia,
- Panwar,
- Kaliwala and
- Mewaras
These clans can be equated with castes in the traditional Hindu society.
- In the olden days, there was a hierarchy among the clans, with the Gujaratia at the top and the Mewaras at the bottom.
- Hakki Pikki people are believed to hail originally from the bordering districts of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
- They came to the south in search of game.
rituals and customs
- Hakki Pikkis in Karnataka follow Hindu traditions and celebrate all Hindu festivals.
- They are non-vegetarians.
- The eldest son in a family is not supposed to cut his hair so that he can be identified easily.
- The tribe prefers cross-cousin marriages.
- According to locals, the usual age of marriage is 18 for women and 22 for men.
- The society is matriarchal, where the groom gives dowry to the bride’s family.
SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB