Introduction / History

The Kammara are important tribes in Kerala. They also live in parts of East and West Godavari, Srikakulam, Viziananagaram and Visakhapatnam regions.

The Kammara are also called Konda Kammara and Ojas. They speak in a native language. They have connections with the Malayam, Tamil and Telugu languages, for example. They keep their culture and traditions.

The Kammarans have good relations with other Kerala tribes and share in agriculture with them. They are blacksmiths and carpenters. They are also involved in cultivation. They gather food too. Theirs is a rural economy.

The Kammara have animist beliefs. There are a number of them who follow other religions like Hinduism. Some are Christians and Buddhists also. They worship gods such as Gangalamma and Sankudevata. Festivals and occasions such as Chaitrapurab and Gangalamma Panduga are celebrated with tribal songs and folk dancing. They have new crop eating festivals and ceremonies. Other local tribes join them when it is festival time.

Marriage is done with the agreement of the families of the boys and girls. They wear colorful clothing during weddings and social events. Kammara women wear saris that are bright in color. They have colored flowers too. They have braided and twisted hair and have their noses pierced also.

References

www.indianetzone.com/9/kammara_tribe.htm