If you look at the issue as of ‘definitive migration’ then you try to guess about the dates but what happens if we believe that Badagas have always been there in the Nilgiris much before or along with Todhas or Kothas? Uncomfortable questions that are very interesting and worth digging deeper into. I am sure the mystery of migration is far from over. When there is no definite evidence about the origin of Todhas or Kothas, how can we presume that they predated Badagas as natives of the Nilgiris? Based on the name ‘Badaga’ or on the so called 'legends ' that are open to many interpretations or on the basis of similarity of Badaga with haliya /mid Kannada, can we conclude that Badagas migrated from Southern Mysore? Migration theory is an attempt by historians and anthropologists to explain away a ‘historical puzzle’. Though I am in agreement with Bala that Badaga migration, if at all, took place much earlier then Tipu’s time in late 1700s, I am firmly of the view that “It is possible that Badagas have lived in the Nilgiris for thousands(?) of years like the Thodas or Kothas. But, B.Balasubramaniam, a highly educated Badaga, feels that Badagas migrated from Southern Karnataka about 700 years back, much before Tipu’s time, around 1311 AD during the plundering raid of Malik Kafir. Also sited in support of migration is the resemblance/similarity of Badaga (language) to Haleya Kannada. The one person who has done a lot to highlight about Badagas, in 1960s, Prof.Paul Hockings has chosen to go along with his predecessors in concluding that since Badaga means north, they have migrated from southern Mysore during Tipu Sultan's rule over Mysore to avoid being forcibly converted to Islam. For obvious reasons, most of them are/were 'outsiders' - like the early European missionaries and British. I Guess it’s great to have angels or a Guardian Angel that opens the right doors for you and keeps you from going through the wrong ones…a bit like the Tigress that keeps the bad ones away from her cubs…don’t you think?……….Well Blessings and Shalom and Lots of Love….There is a lot written about the migration from Mysore theory by many anthropologists, researchers and others. So Pastor Belliraj told me that he told this to the Badagas when he shared the Gospel with them. Belliraj told me that the story is so like the Bible Old Testament story of the ‘Day of Atonement’ …Where the Jewish high priest would confess the sins of the people on to the head of a scapegoat that was then led away into the desert. However this last thing is seldom done as community costs are too high. The calf is then taken to the local temple where it is to stay for the rest of it’s life…never to be used for work. To the funeral at this time a young calf is brought…the elder lays his hand on the calf’s head and confesses every known sin the departed may have committed. One elder then takes charge of the event…raises a hand toward Heaven and calls on the angels to close the door to Hell and open the door to Heaven for the departed soul. When the person dies the corpse is laid out…the local Badaga elders gather about the body. One story Belliraj told me that has stuck with me and bares out this point is the custom of a funeral of a Badaga man. The Badagas do NOT believe in reincarnation (One of the Hindus basic beliefs)…but instead believe the departed goes to either Heaven or hell. Over many years as I worked with Pastor Belliraj, he informed me of the culture specials of the Badagas. They worship at Hindu temples…BUT…their beliefs are not quite the same.
Most are involved in farming,dairying and working in the many tea plantations of the mountains. They number just over half a million….located in small hamlets and villages across the Nilgiris. from the middle East on a migration of their own…travelling down the West coast of India and then going up a river into the mountains. (A busy and multi talented man) ….Back to the Badaga Tribe….They came to South India centuries ago.
#BADAGA TRIBE CULTURE TV#
During his life of ministry…Belliraj was also involved in Bible translation into their language and ran Christian TV and radio programmes in that language. However the Badagas have their own language…written in Tamil script BUT closer to the language of neighbouring Karnataka (Capital Bangalore). The Nilgiri Mountains are in North Western Tamil Nadu. Both Belliraj and Ebby have a Badaga background. I noted the ABC…(Assoc Badaga Churches)….well they wanted more info so this is what I sent them. I had told them about the Late Pastor Belliraj….the orphan girls babies of teens…training of Belliraj’s pastors and the 18 churches they planted. One of our best supporting church groups in Western Aust…who support the Kotagiri and Coimbatore Girls….in the Nilgiri Mountains and nearby….have asked me for some info on the ‘Badaga Tribe’ in the mountains.