The tribes of Southern India represent a rich mosaic of cultural diversity, ecological adaptation, and historical continuity. Southern India, comprising the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, is home to numerous tribal communities officially recognized as Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution of India. These tribes are mainly concentrated in hilly, forested, and plateau regions such as the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and the Nilgiri Hills. Their socio-cultural life reflects a close relationship with nature, distinct linguistic traditions, and unique systems of social organization. In Tamil Nadu, important tribes include the Todas, Kotas, Irulas, Kurumbas, and Paniyans, most of whom inhabit the Nilgiri region. The Toda tribe is particularly well known for its distinctive pastoral culture and barrel-shaped huts. They traditionally rear buffaloes and consider them sacred. Their social organization is clan-based, and they follow unique rituals and ceremonies centered on dairy temples. The Kota tribe, traditionally artisans and musicians, maintain a complementary relationship with neighboring tribes. The Irulas are primarily engaged in snake and rat catching, herbal medicine, and agricultural labor. Many tribal groups in Tamil Nadu have experienced socio-economic changes due to development projects and integration into the mainstream economy. In Kerala, tribes such as the Kadar, Cholanaickan, Kurichiyan, and Paniyan reside mainly in forested areas of the Western Ghats. The Kadar are traditionally forest dwellers and were known for their deep knowledge of forest produce and wildlife. The Cholanaickan are considered one of the most isolated tribes and have maintained a semi-nomadic lifestyle. The Kurichiyan tribe is notable for its matrilineal tendencies and agricultural skills, particularly in paddy cultivation. Many tribal communities in Kerala depend on shifting cultivation, forest gathering, and wage labor. Government welfare schemes and