Hakki Pakki tribes

Why in news?

• More than 181 members of the Hakki Pikki tribal community from Karnataka are stuck in violence-hit Sudan.
• In recent years, members of the Hakki Pikki tribe have been travelling to African countries to sell their products as there is a huge demand for Ayurvedic products in the continent.

About Hakki Pakki tribes:

• The Hakki Pikki tribe is a semi-nomadic tribe traditionally engaged in bird catching and hunting, living in forest areas in west and south India.
• It is a Scheduled Tribe in Karnataka and their origin is said to be an ancestral relation with the legendary Ranapratap Singh.
• The Hakki Pikki tribe is believed to have originated from Gujarat and Rajasthan and migrated to south India via Andhra Pradesh.
• The tribe is divided into four clans and has a population of 11,892 in Karnataka.
  • The 4 clans are Gujaratia, Panwar, Kaliwala and Mewaras and can be equated with castes in the traditional Hindu society.
• Their society is matriarchal, and Monogamy is the norm.
• Hakki Pikkis in Karnataka follow Hindu traditions and celebrate all Hindu festivals.

Add ons:

• The tribe has faced challenges due to stricter wildlife protection laws, leading them to shift from hunting to selling herbal oils, spices, and plastic flowers in local temple fairs.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding ‘Hakki Pakki’ tribes recently seen in news:

1. They are semi-nomadic tribe living in Himalayan foothills.

2. Their society is matriarchal

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer