Anchunad hills in Vattavada comes alive with the ancient ritual of Mankooth

The Tamil-populated villages of the Anchunad hills in Vattavada in Idukki came alive on the occasion of Sivaratri with the performance of the rare traditional art form known as “Mankooth.” The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from residents of Vattavada as well as the neighbouring villages of Kottakkamboor and Koviloor, located near Munnar.

Mankooth is an ancient ritual performance traditionally associated with the hunting practices of early tribal communities. The art form is marked by specialised songs and a distinctive dance style, combining theatrical elements with deep-rooted cultural symbolism.

K. Krishnamoorthy, a resident of Vattavada who took part in the event, explained that Mankooth is a collective village performance. “A few people enter a sack designed to resemble a deer, complete with fixed horns. Usually, four or five people fit inside the sack. Accompanied by dance and song, a person known as Mali ‘hunts’ the deer. This art form is performed by the Mannadiyar, Manthriyar, and other communities in Vattavada,” he said.

Historically, the ritual involved the actual hunting of a deer as an offering to the deity. Over time, however, the practice evolved into a symbolic reenactment. “Today, Mankooth is observed annually as a recreation of that earlier ritual,” Mr. Krishnamoorthy added.

In his book, Keralathile Adivasikal: Kalayum Samskaravum, historian Manoj Mathirappally describes Mankooth as a traditional tribal art form closely linked to the cultural life of the Hill Pulaya community.

According to the book, on a predetermined day, villagers gather at a sacred site within the settlement known as the “Daivathara” to offer prayers. During the ritual, the head priest seeks a blood offering. In earlier times, a designated tribal group would venture into the forest to hunt a male antlered deer, bring it back to the settlement, offer its blood at the Daivathara, and distribute the meat among families or cook it at the venue.

The book also notes that variations of the Mankooth ritual are performed by other tribal communities, including the Kurichyar, Kadar, and Malaarayar. These rituals were typically observed during harvest seasons and are believed to have originated several centuries ago. The same season also features other tribal art forms such as Mannankooth and Kaalavoott, highlighting the rich ritual calendar of the region.

According to villagers, the practice of actual deer hunting came to an end after the strengthening of wildlife protection laws, leading to the present-day symbolic enactment of the ritual. Today, Mankooth continues as a vibrant expression of cultural memory and community identity in the high ranges of Kerala.