MALAYAN

MALAYANS are distributed in the Malabar region comprising Kozhikode, Kannur and Malappuram Districts. According to the 2011 census, their population can be estimated to be 5,917. Their mother tongue is Malayalam which is used as spoken and written language among themselves and with others. The major natural economic resource of the Malayan is land. They are mainly landless. Traditionally, they are excorcists, spirit dancers and mendicants. Their primary occupation, at present, is agricultural labourer. Animal husbandry, midwifery, non –skilled wage and casual labour and their secondary occupations. The Malayan profess Hinduism. Folk deities like Pottan Daivam, Vishnu Murthi, Gulikan, Raktha Chamundi, Mauthappan and Kummati are also worshipped by them.