Migration and Tribal Life

Abstract

This paper explores the complex effects of migration on the tribal communities of Wayanad, Kerala, focusing on the Paniya and Adiya Adivasi tribes. It highlights how waves of internal agrarian migration from Travancore in the 20th century reshaped Wayanad's socio-economic and political landscape. While migration contributed to economic growth, it also led to the displacement and marginalization of indigenous communities, eroding their traditional livelihoods, culture, and land rights. The paper critiques the lack of structured research, emphasizing that biased oral accounts often oversimplify migration's impacts. Additionally, it discusses how education and religious efforts by migrant communities reinforced existing social inequalities, further alienating tribal populations. Through this analysis, the paper underscores the power imbalances between migrant settlers and the indigenous tribes, who have borne the brunt of economic and social marginalization.