Kurumbas are the aboriginal tribes of South India and occupies areas of
Tamil Nadu and
Karnataka and
Palakkad District in
Kerala. They speak a distinct language, similar in many ways to Mudugar but is very different from Irula.
The word ‘Kurumba’ is derived from the occupation of tending kuru (sheep) and from the Tamil word kurumbo (mischief). It is believed that in the ancient times they were possibly arrogant and mischievous.
It is believed by some that they are the modern representatives of the ancient Pallavas, who once dominated the South of India.
