Tradition, Technology and Culture: A Study of the Material Culture of Bettakuruman Community in Kerala

Kerala is the home of a number of tribal communities. Majority of them inhabit in the western slope of the Western Ghats. Wayanad district has the highest concentration of tribes in Kerala. They form 18.5% of the total population of the district. There are 11 distinct tribal communities are living in this district. Paniyan, Adiyan, Kurichiyan, Mullukuruman, Kattunayakan, Thachanadan Mooppan and Bettakuruman are the major tribal communities in Wayanad. This study mainly focuses on the material aspects of the Bettakuruman, an artisan community of Wayanad. Material culture includes, dress pattern, ornaments, weapons, utensils, etc. The study of material culture is an essential aspect for an understanding of culture and also helps to understand social life. It also shows the changes happening in the society. Material culture enables us to visualize them. It also helps to understand the history of technological and cultural development. In all communities; there exists a body of knowledge in fashioning the implements, extracting or collecting materials and also for practicing manual art and skills. This body of knowledge is known as technology. Technology is a system of knowledge rather than a means of production of material objects and artifacts. The knowledge of production and their use in the form of implements, weapons and facilities hand over from one generation to the next generations. The present study attempts to understand the material culture of the Bettakuruman especially the pottery making.