Tulu people

Tulu speakers are divided into various castes. The major Tulu speaking castes are Shettigar / Padmashali, Mundalas, Mogeras,madiwalas,Bairas, Samagaras, Billavas, Sapaliga / Sapalya, Bunts, Mogaveeras, Kulala's, Devadiga's, Tulu Brahmins, Vishwakarmas and Nayak's, etc. Mangalorean Protestants are also Tulu speakers.[5]

Nagabana: The Nāga deities are worshipped in sacred groves

Ritual dance performing the Buta Kola dance in honour of the deities worshipped by Tulu speakers

Tuluvas follow a matrilineal system of inheritance known as Aliyasantana, where inheritance is from uncle to nephew, except for Brahmins and Vishwakarmas.[6] Other distinctive features include the rituals of Yakshagana, Bhuta Kola, Nagaradhane[7] Aati kalenja and Kambala.[8]

Tuluva New Year is called Bisu parba, which falls on the same day as Baisakhi, Vishu and the Thai New Year.[9]

Tuluva Paddanas are sung narratives, which are part of several closely related singing traditions in Tulu language, Paddans are sung during occasions which describe the evolution of Tulu tribes and Tulu culture.[10]

From India's independence and following the reorganization of states, the Tuluvas have been demanding national language status for Tulu[11] and a separate state for themselves called Tulu Nadu (Land of Tuluvas), based on their language and distinct culture. Though somewhat subdued for a while, this demand has grown stronger in recent years. Several organizations like the Tulu Rajya Horata Samiti have taken up the cause of the Tuluvas, and frequent meetings and demonstrations are held across towns in Tulunadu (such as Mangalore and Udupi) to voice their demands.[12][13][14]

• Mangalorean cuisine
• Udupi cuisine
• Tulu language
• Karnataka ethnic groups