History of Grama Panchayat
Thondernad Grama Panchayat
History • Agricultural Heritage • Social Life • Cultural Heritage
📜 History
The land of Thondernad bears the indelible footprints of Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, who fought against the British Empire until his last breath and attained martyrdom.
📜 History
During the period of Kottayam rule, Wayanad was divided into ten traditional regions or principalities — Moothornad, Elamkoornad, Wayanad Swarupam, Porunnanur Swarupam, Nallurnad Swarupam, Kurumbalanad, Edanalamkoor, Thondernad, Veliyambam and Pakkam Swarupam.
Thondernad, which was under the ownership of Nelliyod Thirumalpad, was administered by Thonder Nambiar. The region ruled by Thonder Nambiar came to be known as Thondernad.
⚔️ A Significant Event in Pazhassi History
On 21 April 1797, Pazhassi Raja sent a message to Jonathan Duncan, the Governor of Bombay, from Koroth, which was the headquarters of the Panchayat. The message was an attempt to establish peace. However, it did not achieve the intended result, and the war continued.
Through Kuttiadipuram, five companies of native soldiers and one company of European soldiers arrived in Thondernad under the leadership of Major Haydon. Several other places within this Panchayat are also associated with the history of Pazhassi Raja.
Following the death of Veera Pazhassi Raja on 30 November 1805, Thondernad came under British control. The Thondernad Amsom was established in January 1863.
In 1877, William Logan, the then Collector of Malabar, travelled to Mananthavady through Thondernad via the Kuttiady Ghat. He stayed at the Korom Travellers' Bungalow.
The agriculture, geography, vegetation and lifestyle of the people of this region were documented in his famous historical study, Malabar Manual. Records also indicate that the Korom Police Station existed in this area at that time.
After Independence, the waves of the anti-feudal movements that spread across Kerala also reached this region. During the 1950s, protests against the tenancy system emerged in various places. Another significant development was the large-scale migration that took place during the 1950s and later.
Agricultural History
The agricultural land in this region was mainly under the control of Sree Pulli Malamma Devaswom, Poralom Devaswom, Paleri Devaswom and a few large feudal landlords.
In the early period, paddy cultivation was widespread. Farming was carried out using only organic manure, mainly green manure and cattle dung.
🌱 Traditional Paddy Varieties
Oranges were cultivated extensively in coffee plantations. Kandikkizhangu, a tuber similar to greater yam, was also an important crop. It served as a major food source during periods of scarcity. Until the period of migration, members of the tribal communities were the primary agricultural labourers.
🌾 The Traditional “Valli” System
The traditional wage paid to tribal workers was known as “Valli”, which was paid in the form of paddy. Wages were not paid in cash or rupees. Paddy was also used as a form of payment when purchasing goods from shops. Thus, a traditional barter system existed in the region.
During the paddy cultivation season, traditional agricultural gatherings known as “Kambalam” were conducted. Cattle were used for ploughing the land and threshing paddy.
In anticipation that the proposed Mananthavady Hydroelectric Project would be implemented during the 1970s, trees were cleared from homesteads and only short-duration crops were cultivated in some areas.
The migration that began during the 1940s accelerated agricultural development in the Panchayat. Migration became widespread during the 1950s. The migrants cultivated land taken on lease from the landlords of that period.
Paddy, poultry, cattle and cow ghee were among the forms of payment made as lease rent. The same commodities were also used as consideration when purchasing land.
Tapioca, vetiver grass and sugarcane were among the crops newly introduced to the region by the migrants. During their initial years, migrants largely depended on tapioca and grass oil for their livelihood. However, these agricultural practices also contributed to deforestation.
☕ Coffee Cultivation
Coffee cultivation was once widespread and prosperous in this region. Robusta coffee was the principal variety cultivated.
👥 Social History
This village is a region rich in legends and historical memories associated with Kodumala Kunki and Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja.
Remains believed to be those of a fort or traditional martial arts training centre associated with Kodumala Kunki can be found here. Kunkichira and its surroundings remind us of a culturally rich past.
The bungalow of Makki Sahib and the Korom Travellers' Bungalow indicate that this region was also a place of interest to the British.
History of Education
The Board Lower Primary Schools established at Korom and Kunhome were among the earliest educational institutions in this region.
Educational Progress
The establishment of Vanjode A.U.P. School in 1953 and the establishment of a high school in the Panchayat by around 1978 marked important milestones in the educational development of the region.
Traditional Medicine
Some tribal families in Thondernad Grama Panchayat are traditionally skilled in indigenous systems of medicine.
Many of the traditional medicinal practices passed down orally have disappeared without being transmitted to subsequent generations. They were known for traditional remedies used for ailments such as snakebite, asthma and jaundice.
Some traditional beliefs and practices, including chanting, ritual practices, tying sacred threads, blowing rituals, preparing protective talismans, exorcism and consulting Kooli, were also followed as methods of healing.
Even after the widespread adoption of modern medicine, some tribal communities continue to follow traditional healing practices. In many cases, modern medical assistance was sought only when an illness became severe.
🛣️ Transportation and Development
Before 1975, people from this region had to walk approximately 12, 14 and 18 kilometres to reach Vellamunda, Periya and Thottilpalam respectively. The construction of Makkiyad Bridge and the Kuttiady Ghat Road marked the beginning of improved connectivity and development in the region.
🎭 Cultural History
Numerous historical remains found here bear testimony to the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Following the arrival of the Nairs and Kurichyas as warriors, the Muslims who came for trade and the Christian settlers who migrated during the 1950s also made significant contributions to the cultural history of the region.
🌿 Paniya Heritage
The Paniyas are among the oldest indigenous communities inhabiting this region. Their principal deity is known as Kooli. Kooli Kavu and sacred platforms beneath banyan trees served as places of worship.
Traditional practices such as Kooli worship, group dances, Thudikottu (drumming) and Kuzhaloothu (flute performances) continue to be part of their cultural heritage.
🏹 Kurichya Heritage
The Kurichyas, another important indigenous community, continue to preserve several traditional customs and practices. Some older social customs and rituals have continued among the community.
Although many changes have taken place in community traditions, several household customs have continued. The Thirandukalyanam ceremony has traditionally been regarded as an important social ceremony.
Celebrations such as “Thulapath”, Uchal and Aadipathi Nalu continue to be associated with the Kurichya community.
🌾 Traditional Agricultural Festivals
Kambalam, Koyam and Varal were traditional agricultural festivals associated with cultivation and harvesting that were once observed in different parts of the Panchayat.
🎨 Traditional Art Forms
🤝 Religious Harmony
Thondernad is a region where people belonging to different religious communities live together in harmony. Places of worship belonging to different faiths are located throughout the area.
These places of worship serve not only as religious institutions but also as cultural centres and symbols of communal harmony. Numerous festivals and celebrations are associated with these places of worship.
🎉 Major Festivals and Celebrations
🏹 History of Indigenous Communities
The Kottayam Raja and the Kurumbranad Raja are traditionally said to have defeated the Veda Raja of Wayanad through a military strategy and subsequently divided Wayanad between them. They later distributed the region among eleven Nair chieftains.
These chieftains exercised control over the indigenous communities and subjected them to various forms of forced labour. In the early period, the Paniyas lived in the forests and survived on wild tubers, fruits and other forest produce.
With the arrival of migrant communities, their distinctive traditional culture gradually began to undergo changes. During the rainy season, they used a traditional covering known as “Koramba” for protection from the rain.
🏹 Heritage of the Kurichyas
The Kurichyas are traditionally believed to have arrived in Wayanad as warriors of Pazhassi Thampuran, the ruler of Kottayam. In the early period, they lived in 69 ancestral households or family units.
The head or “Moopan”, who held authority within each ancestral household, was traditionally selected by the members of the community through a customary democratic process.
In earlier times, strict social practices concerning ritual purity and social separation were followed. These practices have undergone partial changes in the present day.
In the early period, paddy and millet were the principal crops cultivated. The community lived in groups, and such settlements were known as “Mitham”.
Fish from streams and wild meat were important components of their traditional diet. The traditional matrilineal system of inheritance also gradually underwent changes.
Circular palm-leaf umbrellas were traditionally used during the rainy season.
Thondernad Grama Panchayat
A story of history, heritage, culture and community
