Last modified: 2015-07-28 by ian macdonald
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image by Chrystian Kretowicz, 11 April 2009
Variably called Kodagu, Codava, Kodava, Codagu, or Coorg, Wiki and the
official district's website says "Kodagu", so let me use that name:
"Kodagu
is a district of Karnataka State in southern India. It is also known by its
anglicized name of Coorg. It occupies about 4,100 square kilometers (1,580 miČ)
of land in the Western Ghats of southwestern Karnataka. As of 2001, the
population was 5,48,561, with some 13.74% of the population residing in the
district's urban centers. Kodagu's capital is Madikeri. The district is bordered
by Dakshina Kannada District to the northwest, Hassan District to the north,
Mysore District to the east, the Kannur District of Kerala to the southwest, and
the Wayanad District of Kerala to the south. Kodagu is home to many communities
with diverse ethnic origins, with Kodavas being the main ethnic group. Other
communities include AreBhase Gowda, Malayali,. There are also a number of tribes
such as the Yeravas, Kurubas, Airies and Kudiyas, who are believed to be of
tribal origin. Muslims from the Malabar coast, the Mapilles, have also been
present as traders and entrepreneurs. The Kodava community numbers about
one-fifth out of a total population of over 500,000, speaking the Kodava takk
language. The Kodavas are traditionally ancestor worshipers with a martial
tradition. The Kodava along with other communities like Lingayat, Are Bhashe
Gowda, were once part of the Kodagu King's army, and remain a prominent
Kodagu group.
Chrystian Kretowicz, 11 April 2009
image by Eugene Ipavec, 22 April 2009
There is quite strong sentiment among Kodavas to separate
from Karnataka and to create an autonomous district for themselves. Among many
organizations demanding the change of status is Codava National Council which
has a flag described as:
"kodava flag, depicting the sacred 'pathk' and 'peeche
kathi' within a circular enclosure, guarded by two guns outside and the 'chembooka'
extending its wings underneath. The entire motif is within a maroon-coloured
diamond. maroon represents the prime costume of a 'kodavathi', the diamond
background the tenacity of a kodava, the blue frame represents their cool."
Despite the numerous requests I was unable to obtain the image of that flag,
but the photos of it can be seen at
http://codavanationalcouncil.com/index.html.
James B. Minahan
(Encyclopedia of the Stateless Nations - Ethnic and National Groups Around the
World - volume II) presents another flag, which he describes as follows:
"The
Kodava national flag, the flag of the national movement, is a black field
bearing the traditional seal of Coorg, two crossed swords over a rifle
surrounded by chains."
I managed to reconstruct faithfully the image of this
flag using Minahan's description.
Chrystian Kretowicz, 11 April 2009