Kanikkaran

---

title: "Kanikkaran" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["scheduled-tribes-of-kerala", "scheduled-tribes-of-india", "scheduled-tribes-of-tamil-nadu", "indigenous-peoples-of-south-asia"] description: "Semi-nomadic community in southern India" topic_path: "geography/india" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanikkaran" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Semi-nomadic community in southern India ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox ethnic group"]

Field	Value
group	Kanikkaran
image	Castes and tribes of southern India. Assisted by K. Rangachari (1909) (14596909057).jpg
population	25,088
caption	Kanikkar tribal, Travancore, 1905
total_ref
total_year	2011 census
popplace	India
region1	Kerala
pop1	21,251
region2	Tamil Nadu
pop2	3,837
languages	Kanikkaran, Tamil, Malayalam
religions	Folk Hinduism
::

| group = Kanikkaran | image = Castes and tribes of southern India. Assisted by K. Rangachari (1909) (14596909057).jpg | population = 25,088 | caption = Kanikkar tribal, Travancore, 1905 | total_ref = | total_year = 2011 census | popplace = India | region1 = Kerala | pop1 = 21,251 | region2 = Tamil Nadu | pop2 = 3,837 | languages = Kanikkaran, Tamil, Malayalam | religions = Folk Hinduism | related-c = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | related_groups =

Kanikkaran are a tribal community found in the southern parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu states in India. According to 2011 census there are 24,000 Kanikkars, living in several districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They dwell in forests or near to forests in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam in Kerala, and Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts in Tamil Nadu.

Though they cultivate everything and make agriculture as the main profession, they have a special liking for fishing and hunting. Literacy is estimated to be around 53.84%. Kaanikkar Nritham is a form of group dance performed as a rural offering. Kokra is a traditional musical instrument used by them.

Language

The Kanikkaran language is closely related to Tamil, but has significant Malayalam influence.

References

References

1. "A-11 Individual Scheduled Tribe Primary Census Abstract Data and its Appendix". Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.
2. [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=kev Kanikkaran A language of India]. ''The Ethnologue Website'', retrieved November 21, 2009
3. [http://www.focusonpeople.org/major_tribals_in_kerala.htm#9 Major Tribals in Kerala]. ''Focus On People'', retrieved August 20, 2011
4. [http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/performingarts.htm Tribal Dances] {{Webarchive. link. (2017-08-06 . ''The PRD Kerala Website'', retrieved August 20, 2011)
5. "Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Sixteenth edition". SIL International.

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