An Ethnographic Study of the Kani Tribe’s Adaptation to Urbanisation in Nagercoil

Abstract

The Kani tribe, an indigenous community of the Western Ghats in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, has traditionally sustained its livelihood through forest resources, herbal medicine, and shifting cultivation. However, the rapid pace of urbanisation in and around Nagercoil has brought significant transformations in their socio-economic and cultural life. This paper examines how the Kani community negotiates the pressures of urban expansion, migration, and modern education while striving to preserve its cultural identity. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, oral narratives, and participant observation, the study explores three interrelated dimensions. Particular attention is given to the role of youth in mediating between traditional practices and modern aspirations, including education, migration to Gulf countries, and integration into urban society. The paper argues that while urbanisation poses challenges of displacement and cultural erosion, it also opens spaces for resilience, innovation, and redefinition of tribal identity. This study situates the experiences of the Kani tribe within the broader discourse on Indian tribes in transition and contributes to understanding the intersections of migration, urbanisation, and cultural change in contemporary South India.