Alternate Names: Kadu Kurumba, Urali Kurumba
Dialects: A nonstandard variety of Tamil , or Kannada ,. May be same as Betta Kurumba dialect in Coorg District. Lexical similarity: 59%–77% among groups that are called Betta Kurumba.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 32,000 (2003 NLCI), increasing.
Language Use: Central Institute of Indian Languages lists Betta Kurumba as endangered. It is being studied by Annamalai University. Home, work, religion. Positive attitudes.
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 10%–15% in Tamil Nadu, 15%–20% in Karnataka, 40%–45% in Kerala. Favorable attitude toward literacy. Grammar.
Writing System: Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil
Nation of Origin: India
Other Comments: ’Kadu Kurumba’, jungle shepherds. ‘Betta Kurumba’, hill shepherds. 3 subdivisions: Ane (elephant) Kurumba, Bevina (neem tree) Kurumba, and Kolli (fire-brand) Kurumba. A Scheduled Tribe. Hindu.