A Glimpse into the Hakki Pikki Tribe

The Hakki Pikki is a semi-nomadic tribe with a rich history of bird catching and hunting as their traditional practices.

• The tribe is predominantly found in forest areas across various states in western and southern India, including the Davangere, Mysuru, Kolar, Hassan, and Shivmogga districts of Karnataka.
• The Hakki Pikki tribe is divided into four major clans – Gujaratia, Panwar, Kaliwala, and Mewaras.
• The tribe is known by different names in different regions. For instance, in northern Karnataka and Maharashtra, they are called Mel-Shikari.

Tracing the Roots of the Hakki-Pikki Tribe

The Hakki Pikki community traces its origins back to the bordering districts of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

• They migrated southwards in pursuit of game and eventually settled in Karnataka.
• Historically, their ancestral home was near Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, but today, they are dispersed across southern India.

The Evolution of the Hakki Pikki Tribe's Occupations

• The Hakki Pikkis traditionally lived in forest areas for the majority of the year, returning to their permanent camps for a few months. Men were primarily involved in hunting while women begged in nearby villages.
• With the enforcement of stricter wildlife protection laws, the tribe had to shift from selling wildlife products to selling other items such as spices, herbal oils, and plastic flowers at nearby temple fairs.
• Their herbal oil business flourished and they now sell their products worldwide.
• Hakki Pikkis from Tamil Nadu ventured to Singapore and Thailand about two decades ago and discovered a booming demand for Ayurvedic products in African countries.
• This led them to start selling their products in Africa, with the Hakki Pikkis from Karnataka following suit.

A Look at the Hakki Pikki Tribe's Rituals and Traditions

• The Hakki Pikkis follow Hindu traditions and celebrate all Hindu festivals.
• They prefer cross-cousin marriages and are non-vegetarians.
• Women hold a higher status in their society. The typical marriage age is 18 for women and 22 for men. The groom gives a dowry to the bride’s family, and monogamy is the norm.

Exploring the Hakki Pikki Tribe's Earnings in African Countries

• According to tribe members, African countries provide them with a quicker route out of poverty.
• The Hakki Pikki products are in high demand in Africa. An investment of Rs 5 lakh on raw materials can potentially be doubled or even tripled within 3-6 months.
• Despite their economic success, education levels among the Hakki Pikkis remain low, with only a handful of members completing graduation-level courses.

Wrapping Up:

• The journey of the Hakki Pikki tribe to Africa illustrates how globalization has created new markets for traditional products.
• However, it also underscores the challenges the tribe faces due to their low education levels and lack of financial resources.
• It is crucial to implement measures to ensure the tribe is not exploited and receives the necessary support to enhance their livelihoods.