KANIKKAR

KANNIKARS (Kannikarans) are inhabitants of the Trivandrum and Kollam Districts. They are seen at Nalayadi, Ponmudi, Vithurai, Kalla, Nedumangad, Aryanad, Agastier Peak and Aruvikkara in the Nedumangad Taluk and at Kulathupuzha and Chitra in the Kollam District. They speak a dialect of Malayalam with an admixture of Tamil. Kanikkars have the most elaborate division of exogamous Pharties (clans). Originally they had only the clans known as Mutti-illom and Mer-illom. Later two more, Kayy-illom Pali-illom came into existence. Modern kanis may be described as Hindus. They revere and worship the entire pantheon of Hindu Gods. According to the 2011 census, their population can be estimated to be 21,251.