Moongil Pallam Tribal Village : Ecology , Culture , and Continuity among the Pulaya Community in the Amaravathi Range , Udumalpet

Abstract

Moongil Pallam is a remote tribal settlement located in the Amaravathi range of the Anamalai hills in Tamil Nadu, inhabited predominantly by the Pulaya (Pulaiyar) tribal community. The village reflects a long history of ecological adaptation, cultural continuity, and social cohesion shaped by forest environments. This article examines the origin, settlement history, subsistence practices, kinship structure, and cultural traditions of the community, drawing upon field observations and established anthropological scholarship. The study highlights the resilience of indigenous knowledge systems and the ongoing transformations experienced by the community in the context of modern development and conservation policies.