Grassroots Governance and Tribal Political Well-being: the Role of Oorukoottam among Kurichiya in Wayanad
Author(s): Dr. Biju P. V.
Authors Affiliations:
Principal, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore Arts and Science College, Mathil, Payyannur, Kannur Dt., Kerala, India.
DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202512031 | Paper ID: IJIRMF202512031Abstract
This study investigates the impact of the re-formulated Oorukoottam, a grassroots-level tribal governance mechanism, on the political quality of life of the Kurichiya tribe in Wayanad district. Historically, the Kurichiya community has been noted for its cohesive social structure, strong leadership patterns, and well-defined traditional political institutions, which collectively shaped their internal governance and decision-making processes. Understanding this historical political foundation is essential for evaluating the extent to which the Oorukoottam has transformed the tribe’s contemporary political life. The research first examines the traditional political organisation of the Kurichiya community, highlighting the role of customary leaders, collective deliberation practices, and mechanisms of political coordination that existed prior to policy interventions. It then analyses the post-intervention scenario by statistically assessing changes in political engagement following the implementation of the re-formulated Oorukoottam. A structured questionnaire containing twenty political indicators was administered to Kurichiya respondents, and the data were analysed using the Wilcoxon rank test, t-test, and ANOVA to measure shifts in political participation, representation, awareness, and agency. The findings demonstrate a significant positive impact of the Oorukoottam on the political well-being of the Kurichiya tribe. Improvements were observed in political awareness, participation in decision-making forums, confidence in expressing political opinions, and the strengthening of collective governance institutions. The study concludes that Oorukoottam functions as an effective platform for enhancing tribal political empowerment, although challenges such as limited institutional authority and structural constraints still hinder full realisation of political rights. These results underscore the role of grassroots governance in strengthening democratic participation and promoting political well-being among indigenous communities in Wayanad.
Dr. Biju P. V. (2025); Grassroots Governance and Tribal Political Well-Being: The Role of Oorukoottam Among Kurichiya in Wayanad, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-12, Pp. 210-217. Available on – https://www.ijirmf.com/
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