Hakki-Pikki Tribe: History, Identity and the Present Crisis

• The Hakki-Pikki tribe is an important tribal community of Karnataka, known for its distinct culture, language, and traditional lifestyle, which sets it apart from other tribes.
• Recently, eight members of the Hakki-Pikki community were stranded in Central Africa after their visas expired. They had travelled there to sell herbal products, highlighting the vulnerabilities associated with their livelihood.
• This incident has once again drawn attention to the socio-economic conditions of the Hakki-Pikki tribe and the challenges faced by their traditional occupations.

Origin of the Name

• The term ‘Hakki-Pikki’ is derived from the Kannada language, where ‘Hakki’ means bird and ‘Pikki’ means to catch.
• Thus, the literal meaning of Hakki-Pikki is “bird catchers.”
• Historically, the community depended on catching and selling birds, though in modern times many have shifted to selling herbal products, medicinal plants, and traditional medicines.

Constitutional Status

• The Government of India has recognized the Hakki-Pikki community as a Scheduled Tribe (ST).
• This status entitles them to special provisions in education, employment, political representation, and welfare schemes.

Language and Cultural Identity

• Although the Hakki-Pikki live in South India, a region dominated by Dravidian languages, they speak an Indo-Aryan language known as ‘Vaagri’ (also referred to as Vagri).
• Vaagri is mainly used within the family and community.
• For interaction with the outside world and daily activities, they commonly use Kannada.
• UNESCO has classified Vaagri as an endangered language, indicating that it is at risk of gradual extinction.

Customs and Social Structure

• The Hakki-Pikki community largely follows Hindu traditions and celebrates festivals such as Diwali, Holi, and Dussehra.
• Their social organization is clan-based, and marriages traditionally take place within the same clan.
• Cousin marriages have also been historically prevalent.
• The community follows a matrilineal system, where lineage and inheritance pass through the female line.
• Uniquely, the bridegroom pays a bride price to the bride’s family, which is the opposite of the dowry system prevalent in much of Indian society.

Livelihood Patterns and Modern Challenges

Traditionally, the Hakki-Pikki people have depended on:

• Bird catching
• Selling herbs and forest produce
• Preparing traditional medicines
• Trading in minor forest products

However, forest conservation laws, wildlife protection regulations, and changes in the modern economy have severely affected these traditional livelihoods.
As a result, many community members now travel to distant regions and even foreign countries for trade, often without adequate institutional support.

Present Crisis and Concerns

• The recent case of eight Hakki-Pikki members stranded in Central Africa due to visa expiry has exposed their economic vulnerability and the risks involved in informal international trade.
• This incident raises important policy questions, such as:
  • Should the government provide better travel, legal, and trade support for such vulnerable communities?
  • Are there a need for special schemes to protect and modernize their traditional livelihoods while ensuring legal and economic security ?