Hakki Pikki Tribe

Hakki Pikki Tribe: Twenty-two members of the Hakki Pikki tribal community from Channagiri taluk in Davangere, Karnataka, have been penalized and instructed to exit Gabon following recent policy changes implemented by the African nation’s government.

• About: "Hakki" in Kannada means bird and "Pikki" means catchers — reflecting their traditional occupation as bird catchers and hunters.

o Location:Predominantly found in Karnataka and also reside in Western and Southern India, mostly near forest areas.

o Major districts: Davangere, Mysuru, Kolar, Hassan, and Shivamogga.

o Population: As per the 2011 Census, their population in Karnataka is 11,892.

o Language:Their mother tongue is 'Vaagri', designated by scholars.

o UNESCO has listed Vaagri as one of the endangered languages.

o They also speak Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi.

• Occupation: Transitioned from hunting to occupations like:

o Selling spices, flowers, Ayurveda formulations, and herbal oils due to stricter wildlife laws.

o Performing odd jobs such as working in fields and sharpening knives and sickles while traveling around towns.

o Renowned for their indigenous medicines — developed from plants and herbs during their time in dense jungles.

o Travel globally to sell herbal products, especially in the African continent, where there is a demand for cheaper alternatives to Western medicine.

• Rituals and Customs: Follow Hindu traditions and celebrate Hindu festivals. Practice a clan-based social structure with endogamy within their clan. Prefer cross-cousin marriages.