Origin and Geographical spread:

The Paniyan are distributed in Tamilnadu and the adjoining area of kerala and Karnataka. Their concentration is more in kerala state.their legendary origin is at a place called lipimala and they are descended from pantirappannara (twelve ancestors) their origin nolting define is known (thurstor 1909). They mainly live in the Nilgiris District.

Language:

They separate their own dialect among themselves, they separate Tamil and Malayalam with others and use the Tamil script.

Specific tradition and custom:

Their clothes give identity to the community. They wear mundu (lower garments) kuppiri (upper garments).the women near ornaments of palm level (olan,solak,for ears,mukkathe for nose). They are also tattooed.

Physical Characteristic:

The Paniyan are a dark-skinned people of short structure. Their average weight is 157.4 cm. They possess broad noses with an average nasal index of 95. Their hair is curly or wavy.

Food system:

The Paniyan are non-vegetarian who do not eat beef and pork. Rice ,millets and ragi are the staple food. They consume pulses, vegetables, roots and tubers and fruits. Men take alcoholic drinks regularly and women occasionally.

Primary Economic Activity:

They became slaves and laborers to their land masters belonging to rich land owning communities. They depended upon grain and clothes given as wages by their masters. The Paniyans are hard working people and they alone can do the hard agriculture work in the marshy valley habitat. There was a saying that no scheme of development, no extension of agricultural or forest operation will be successful without Paniya labor.

Art and Music:

Paniyan are fond of stories, dancing, music and acting. The story is narrated by the Paniyans. The Paniyan women are very much interested in dancing to the music of drums and pipes. Their movement of hands, legs and hips with the rhythms of the Paniyan music is impressive.

Special Characteristics:

The Paniyan favor formula education for their children. They drop out from studies mainly due to poverty. They use traditional as well as modern medicare and favor family planning.