Hakki Pikki Tribe
Source: The Hindu
GS I: Indian Society; GS II: Vulnerable Section
Overview
- News in Brief
- About Hakki Pikki Tribe
Why in the News?
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.
- The tribe was recently in the news for various reasons.
News in Brief
- On August 2023, 114 tribal people from the Hakki Pikki tribal community in Karnataka got title deeds to the land they had cultivated for about a century.
- The colony for the nomadic tribe is located on the edge of the Bannerghatta National Park (BNP), about 36 km from Bengaluru.
- The Hakki Pikkis are traditionally a semi-nomadic tribe of bird catchers and hunters, who settled in several parts of Karnataka.
- Recent Sudan Conflict
- Among the stranded Indians are at least 31 people from an Adivasi community Hakki Pikki from Karnataka.
About Hakki Pikki Tribe
- The Hakki Pikki tribe, also spelt as “Hakkipikki” or “Hakki-Pikki,” is a nomadic tribal community in India.
- They are primarily found in the southern state of Karnataka.
- They are considered one of the Scheduled Tribes (ST) recognized by the Indian government.
- The Hakki Pikki people are known for their unique way of life, which includes a semi-nomadic lifestyle, living in temporary huts or tents made of thatch and bamboo, and a dependence on forest resources for their livelihood.
Key characteristics and aspects of the Hakki Pikki tribe
- Nomadic Lifestyle
- The Hakki Pikki people traditionally follow a semi-nomadic lifestyle.
- They often move from one place to another within a region, depending on the availability of natural resources, such as forest produce and seasonal agricultural work.
- Occupation
- Their primary occupations include collecting forest products like honey, fruits, nuts, and other non-timber forest produce.
- Some also engage in agricultural activities, especially during the planting and harvesting seasons.
- Hakki in Kannada means ‘bird’ and Pikki means ‘catchers’.
- Language
- The Hakki Pikki people have their own language, which belongs to the Dravidian language family.
- However, due to interactions with other communities and the need to communicate in the mainstream language (Kannada in Karnataka).
- Many Hakki Pikki individuals are bilingual.
- Recognition
- The Indian government has recognized the Hakki Pikki tribe as a Scheduled Tribe (ST).
- To provide them with special benefits and affirmative action programs aimed at improving their socio-economic conditions.
- Challenges
- Like many tribal communities in India, the Hakki Pikki people face various challenges, including issues related to education, healthcare, land rights, and socio-economic development.
- Efforts have been made by the government and non-governmental organizations to address these challenges and improve their quality of life.
- Culture and Traditions
- The Hakki Pikki tribe has a rich cultural heritage, with traditional songs, dances, and rituals that are an integral part of their identity.
- They have their unique customs and social practices.
- Settlements
- Their settlements are often temporary and made from locally available materials.
- These temporary huts or tents are easily assembled and disassembled as they move from one place to another.
- Livelihood
- Their livelihood is closely tied to the forests.
- They have an intricate knowledge of the local flora and fauna, which they use for sustenance.
It’s important to note that the Hakki Pikki tribe, like many tribal communities, is undergoing a transformation due to modernization and government initiatives aimed at their welfare and development. Efforts are being made to strike a balance between preserving their traditional way of life and providing them with access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.
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