The British planter community were mostly Scots. It was they who affectionately called Coorg ‘The Scotland of India’ because of the many uncanny similarities. Both Scotland and Coorg were cold, misty, mountainous regions. Both had potent local brews. Coorg or Kodagu is chiefly populated by its native ethnic group the Kodavas, who were freeholder farmers and militiamen in the ancient past. Besides,
other communities that reside in Kodagu District are Gowdas and Muslims that dwell in Coorg include Airi, Meda, Male-Kudiya, Kembatti, Maringi, Kapal, Kolla, Kavadi, Kurubas, Koleya, Koyava, Kanya, Kudiyas, Banna, Ganiga, Golla, Thatta, Yeravas, Malaya, etc. Chief languages spoken in Coorg are Kodava, Kannada, Are Bhashe, Malayalam, Yerava, Kuruba, Konkani, Urdu and English. The natives of Coorg also known by the epithet Kshatriyas are ancestor worshippers and follow the martial tradition. Some of the other minor tribes of Coorg find their origin in farm Laborers and Hunter Gatherer Foresters. There are also families of the Brahmin community, most of whom were brought here by the rulers for the purpose of offering poojas at various temples. Kodava oral traditions are very rich, some of the traditional folk songs have been compiled into the Pattole Palome. The citizens of Kodagu are polytheists and worship a number of deities, some of them being Iggutappa, Bhagwathi, Mahadeva, Bhadrakali, Subramanya and Ayyappa. Various occupations adopted by the ethnic groups of Kodagu are: Pepper and Coffee plantations, Paddy, artisans, basket and mat-weavers, drummers, wandering musicians, farmers, toddy-makers, etc. Agriculture is the most important factor that upholds the economy of Kodagu and the main crops cultivated in this region are rice and coffee. Coorg was rich in natural resources which included timber and spices. The Kodagu men wear ‘Kupyas’ (knee-length half-sleeved coats) over a full-sleeved white shirt. ‘Chale’ i.e. a maroon and gold sash is tied at the waist and an ornately carved silver dagger known as ‘Peechekath’ is tucked into it. ‘Odikathi’ is yet another knife that is tucked into the Chale at the back. Furthermore, a chain with a minuscule gun and a dagger hanging onto it give them a martial look. The saris worn by women folk are pleated at the back and the pallu fixed with a brooch is also wrapped in a very unique way. They wear either a full-sleeved or three-quarter sleeved blouse and cover their head with a scarf. A traditional gold beaded necklace known here as ‘Kokkethathi Jomale’ is widely worn by the women of Kodagu.
