The Hakki Pikki tribe is known for producing and selling a variety of herbal products, including their distinctive hair oil.

Hakki Pikki Tribe

• About: The Hakki Pikki tribe is a semi-nomadic tribe living in forest areas in west and south India.
• Traditional Occupation: The term “Hakki Pikki” translates to ‘bird catchers’ in Kannada, reflecting their historical occupation as bird catchers and hunters.
• Geographical Spread: They are a major tribal community in Karnataka, also residing in other Western and Southern states of India, particularly near forest areas.
• Migration History: Originally from Northern India, mainly Gujarat and Rajasthan, they are now primarily found in the Shivamogga, Davanagere, and Mysuru districts of Karnataka.
• Scheduled Tribe Status: They are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in India.
  • Scheduled tribes are tribal communities in India that have been recognized by the Indian Constitution under ‘Schedule 5’. 
  • The term was coined by the government of India to identify the groups that were educationally and financially poor and faced discrimination
• Society: The society is matriarchal in nature.
• Distinctive Tradition: The eldest son in a family is not supposed to cut his hair for easy identification.
• Indo-Aryan Language: Despite living in Southern India, surrounded by Dravidian languages, they speak an Indo-Aryan language.
• Mother Tongue: They speak Vaagri at home and use Kannada for daily interactions.
  • Vaagri Booli is an unclassified tribal Indo-Aryan language of southern India.
• Endangered Language: UNESCO has listed Hakki Pikki as one of the endangered languages.
• Occupations: Due to stricter wildlife laws, the tribe transitioned from hunting to other occupations.
  • They now sell spices, flowers, Ayurvedic formulations, and herbal oils.
  • The tribe travels globally, especially to Africa, where their products serve as cheaper alternatives to Western medicine.
• Religious Practices: They follow Hindu traditions and celebrate Hindu festivals.
• Marriage Customs: The tribe prefers cross-cousin marriages.
• Diet: The Hakki Pikki tribe is mostly non-vegetarian.

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