Wayanad, the hilly district bordering the states of Tamilnadu and Karnataka, has the largest tribal population in Kerala. Approximately, 4 lakh people belonging to the tribal communities, the largest in India, live very close to the nature. Kurichyas, Paniyas, Kurumas, Ooralis, Kattunaikkans, and Adiyas are the prominent communities among them.

Kurichyas, the strongest among the tribe, are very skilled in martial arts and archery. They were part of the army of Kerala Varma Pazhasi Raja, who fought against the British. Paniyas, mostly, work for the other Royal tribes. They still follow a primitive form of belief and worship Kali.  Adiyas, the slave sects in the tribe, work in houses and fields of higher tribes. The community is divided into several classes and each of them has separate heads also.

The entire tribal community is appreciated for their treasured knowledge in traditional herbal medicine. Centuries old proximity to the nature has made them knowledgeable in natural remedies. They also practice age-old agricultural methods for cultivation.