The recent news has been buzzing with the plight of over 181 members of the Hakki Pikki tribal community from Karnataka, who are currently stuck in violence-ridden Sudan. This semi-nomadic tribe hails from the forest areas in west and south India and is traditionally engaged in bird catching and hunting. This article aims to elucidate on the intriguing characteristics of the Hakki Pikki Tribe.
About the Hakki Pikki Tribe
The Hakki Pikki tribe is identified as a Scheduled Tribe in Karnataka with an alleged ancestral lineage tracing back to the legendary figure, Ranapratap Singh. The tribe is believed to have its roots in Gujarat and Rajasthan, and later migrated to south India via Andhra Pradesh. Today, the tribe is subdivided into four clans: Gujaratia, Panwar, Kaliwala, and Mewaras. These clans can be equated with the traditional Hindu castes. As per the census, there are approximately 11,892 members of the Hakki Pikki tribe residing in Karnataka.
Societal Norms and Practices
Predominantly matriarchal, the Hakki Pikki society typically sees women marrying at the age of 18 and men at 22. Cross-cousin marriages are quite common within the tribe. This tribe strictly adheres to the practice of monogamy. Despite their nomadic lifestyle, the Hakki Pikkis in Karnataka practice Hindu traditions and partake in all Hindu festivals. Regrettably, education levels among the Hakki Pikkis are comparatively low.
Dependence on Forest for Livelihood
The critical natural resource of the Hakki Pikki tribe is the forest. With the recent rise in wildlife protection laws, the tribe has been forced to deviate from traditional hunting practices to selling herbal oils, spices, and plastic flowers at local temple fairs.
Migration to Africa
Given the widespread demand for Ayurvedic products in Africa, a significant number of Hakki Pikki tribe members have been migrating there to sell their products. African countries provide superior market opportunities, with high returns on raw materials investment like hibiscus powder, oil extraction, gooseberry, Ayurvedic plants, and so forth.
Violence in Sudan
The recent surge in violence in Sudan was triggered by intense negotiations between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The discussion centered around merging these forces into a single national army. This move was part of an agreement for the military to relinquish power to civilian leaders. However, factions within the military opposed this integration, leading to escalating tensions and eventual bouts of violence.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Question
A question related to tribal land rights appeared in 2019’s UPSC Civil Services Examination. It asked: “Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void?”
The answer is the Fifth Schedule.