Kurichian, Kurichiyan 

Kurichiyans are divided into four groups, namely; ‘Jati’ Kurichiyans of Wayanad, ‘Kunnam’ Kurichiyans of Kannur, ‘Anchilla’ Kurichiyans of Tirunelli and ‘Pathiri’(priest) Kurichiyans who embraced Christianity way back in 1908-10. They speak the North Malabar dialect of Malayalam, but the elders still talk in their own dialect. A Kurichiyan leader, Thalakkal Chandhu along with Pazhassi Raja fought with bows and arrows against the Britishers between 1802 and 1805. The Kurichiya rebellion of 1812 showed how they were organised to fight bravely against the policies of Britishers.

Kurichiyans of Wayanad follow joint family system called ‘Mittom’ consisting of 30 to 100 or more members. The elder male in a mittom is called ‘Poopan’ and his wife is known as ‘Poopathi’. Their teritorial head is called ‘Nadu Moopan’. They still adhere to the customary laws and practices. The younger generation has shown a tendency to form nuclear families. 

Kurichiyans are rated as the best paddy cultivators among the Scheduled Tribes of Kerala. They cultivate many species of rice. They are also adapted to the cultivation of ragi, coffee, pepper, arecanut etc. Both men and women participate in almost all agricultural operations irrespective of their age. They have an expert knowledge in identifying medicinal plants for curing certain diseases. The traditional use of bows and arrows is commemorated through the famous Thalakkal Chandhu Memorial archery competition organised annually by the State Government. 

Kurichiyans are the second largest community among Scheduled Tribes with 8362 families and 35909 population. They constitute 8.43 per cent of the population of Scheduled Tribes in Kerala. Their family size is 4.29 which is higher than the state average. As the population consists of 18,129 males and 17,780 females, the sex ratio among the Kurichians works out to 1000 : 981. The sex ratio is far below the state average.

About 99.96 per cent of the Kurichiyans are concentrated in 3 districts; namely Wayanad, Kannur, and Kozhikode. In Eranakulam, the Kurichiyan population is only 0.04 per cent of the total population of the community. 

Kurichiyans are settled in 49 Grama Panchayats and 3 Municipalities. Thavinjhal, Thondernad, Kottathara, Panamaram, Vellamunda, Mananthavady, Edavaka, Thirunelli are the 8 Grama Panchayats in Wayanad District which have sizable population of Kurichians. In Kannur District, Kolayad, Pattiam and Kanichar are the 3 Grama Panchayats having sizable population of Kurichians. Kurichiyan population is very low in other 38 Grama Panchayats and 3 Municipalities.

Last updated on : 18-05-2026