The community inhabits Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki districts. Both men and women are experts in collecting medicinal herbs and selling them to the local markets.
The internal social division of the community includes five endogamous sub divisions viz., Tolvetans, Chingivetans, Elichativetans, Cheruvetans and Valiyavetans. The division has a territorial and geographical boundary to some extent. The Tolvetan inhabits Neyyattinkara and Nedumangad taluks of Thiruvananthapuram district. Cheruvettans inhabit the northern regions of the Pamba river in the taluks of Thiruvalla and Pathanamthitta in Pathanamthitta district. Elichathivetans inhabit both banks of Manimala river in the Changanassery taluk of Kottayam district. Each subdivision has a number of clans and they follow exogamy to regulate marriages. The Valiyavetans inhabit all the above areas and areas outside.