BADAGA

any member of the largest tribal group living in the N ilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The Badaga have increased very rapidly, from fewer than 20,000 in 1871 to about 140,000 in the late 20th century. Their language is a Dravidian dialect closely akin to Kannada as spoken in Karnataka state to the north of the Nilgiris. The name Badaga means northerner, and it is clear that the Badaga came into the Nilgiris from the north, perhaps impelled by economic or political pressures. The time of their migration has been dated sometime after the founding of the Lingayat Hindu sect in the 12th century and before 1602, when their settlement in the area was noted by Roman Catholic priests. The Badaga were divided into six main endogamous groups that were ranked in ritual order. The two highest castes were priests and vegetarians; the lowest caste worked as servants for the other five. Traditional Badaga religion and economy also relied on goods and services supplied by the other Nilgiri peoplesKota, Toda, and Kurumba. The Badaga generally are agriculturists, but many are engaged in other professions. In addition to grain, Badaga farmers grow large crops of potatoes and vegetables. Many have altered their traditional practices. Improved agriculture, local and national policies, and high-caste Hindu tradition are the major concerns of the contemporary Badaga.