Located in the Western part of Karnataka, India, is a small district called Coorg, also known as Kodagu. Considered "the Scotland of India," Coorg has beautiful natural scenery, activities to do, and peaceful resorts. Almost all of Coorg has hills and is covered with plantations and forests. With Coorg's rich biodiversity and fragile ecosystem, many wildlife sanctuaries are dedicated to keeping these forests alive. In fact, one of the forests is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
History
Coorg's history goes back thousands of years to the Kodavas, a warrior society, thought to be descended from the Kshatriya class, was the first group of people to settle in Coorg. Later, the kingdom of Coorg rose from both the Paleri and Kongalvas dynasties but flourished the most under the Haleri dynasty. It was under this dynasty that the Coorg cultures and traditions that still exist today evolved from.
After the British arrived, the last ruler of the Haleri dynasty was taken by the British East India Company, signifying Coorg's new era under British rule. During British rule, the colonizers realized the potential Coorg had to create coffee farms, which is still what Coorg is still known for to this day. The British also constructed highways and railroads to improve trade.
However, the rules and regulations that the British set left many Coorgis unhappy. This led to the Coorg rebellion of 1837, and while attempts to overthrow British rule were futile, it signified the resiliency of the Coorgi people.
Culture & People
The Kodova people are seperated from other groups in the same area by their customs, beleifs, and traditions. They speak Coorgi, which is a mix of Malyalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Tulu. The traditional attire is vastly different from other Indian clothes. The men wear coats that hang down to their knees with sleeves that only come down as far as their elbows; a gold and scarlet sash; a gilded turban or a red and white checkered scarf called Mande-tuna, and a silver or gold sheathed ornate dagger with a sword called Odi-Kathi. Women of Coorg wear their sari in a unique way by tucking in the pleats in the back. Typical Indians tuck the pleats in the front.
Additionally, it's common for Coorgi families to have at least one family member that has served in the armed forces.
Traditions
Customs and traditions are vastly different in Coorgi culture:
Guns and other weapons are integrated into their traditions and religious beliefs.
A delicacy that they often serve at functions usually contains pork.
They typically follow Hinduism or Animinism.
They hold the river Cauvery in high regard, considering the holy river their mother.
Women are typically held in higher regard in Coorgi culture, allowing them to remarry, get higher education, and be generally treated well by the family.
Problems in Modern Day Coorg
One of the biggest issues that Coorg has is the monsoon season that arrives. The rain that comes during this time is so heavy that it often causes landslides that damages schools, government buildings, and even houses. I personally visited Coorg both in the summer of 2024 and the summer of 2023 and saw the same school building being destroyed by the heavy monsoon rain each time. The students at that school were forced to go to a school several miles away for the time being until their school was rebuilt, which caused huge problems in terms of transportation and time.
These issues need to be addressed, especially considering their impact on the Coorg community.
Conclusion
Coorg is a very beautiful district and has made a name for itself by being one of India's largest exporters of coffee. With it's rich history and traditions that have been passed down for thousands of centuries, the people that live in Coorg have continued to thrive in the same area that their ancestors grew up. However, it's important for these people to try and overcome issues like landslides in order to better the living conditions in Coorg.
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