The Status of Narikuravar 1 Community : Challenges Faced Transitioning from their Traditional to Present Occupation

The Narikuravar community is a semi-nomadic indigenous tribe from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.This research focuses on the challenges faced by the Narikuravar community during the transition from their traditional occupation to their present occupation.Though their traditional occupation was hunting in the forest, they have had to give up it ever since hunting in the forest was prohibited by the government.Now, most of them have taken up manufacturing safety pins, hair pins, hand-made bags, beaded ornaments, and so on.Most of them travel about selling their products in different parts of the country, returning home after several months.The major issues which confront the Narikuravar community are poverty, illiteracy, disease, and discrimination in society.This paper deals with the concerns of the Narikuravar community and the role of governmental and non-governmental organizations in uplifting the status of the Narikuravar community.