Name: Aiswarya , Priyam Patel & S. Binthu Mathavan
Country: India

Year: 2026
Volume: Volume-11, Issue-1, January-June 2026
Page Number: 802- 810
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21426443

ABSTRACT
Tribal communities constitute an integral part of India’s cultural heritage, preserving unique traditions,indigenious knowledge system, and traditional lifestyles across generations.in keralam,scheduled tribes predominantly inhabit hilly and forested areas, where they have managed to preserve their unique cultural identities in spite of the demands of modernisation and socioeconomic marginalization The current study focuses on the indigenous sports, traditional art forms, and general well-being of scheduled Tribes in keralam.The study also explores at their cultural practices, level of education and health. With over 537 tribal clans living mostly in hilly and woodland areas. keralam offers a distinctive socio-cultural landscape that merits through scholarly research. The study uses secondary data from the Indian census of 2001 and 2011,as well as pertinent academic publications, and tribal committee reports. Twelve tribal communities were selected for this study which includes Eravaller, Irular, Kurichyar, Paniyar, Malayarayar, Urali, Muthan (Muthuvan), Ulladan, Parayan, Kadar, Kannikkar, Malapandaram . The findings reveal that keralam’s scheduled tribes continue to experience significantly lower literacy rates compared to the general population, recording 75.8% against the state average of 94.0% as per the 2011 census. At 71.08%,womens literacy among scheduled tribes is still extremely low. Despite these obstacles, tribes have historically maintained their physical and mental health through lively cultural traditions.The study concludes that Enhancing the general standard of living for keralam’s scheduled tribe communities requires focused governmental initiative’s that address healthcare,education,and cultural preservation.

Keywords : Scheduled Tribes in Keralam, Cultural practices, traditional Tribal sports, Educational Disparities, Tribal health and well-being.