Kanikkaran

{{Short description|Semi-nomadic community in southern India}}

{{Infobox ethnic group

| group = Kanikkaran

| image = Castes and tribes of southern India. Assisted by K. Rangachari (1909) (14596909057).jpg

| population = 25,088

| caption = Kanikkar tribal, Travancore, 1905

| total_ref = {{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/ST.html|title=A-11 Individual Scheduled Tribe Primary Census Abstract Data and its Appendix|publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|access-date=2017-11-03}}

| total_year = 2011 census

| popplace = {{flagcountry|India}}

| region1 = Kerala

| pop1 = 21,251

| region2 = Tamil Nadu

| pop2 = 3,837

| languages = Kanikkaran, Tamil, Malayalam

| religions = Folk Hinduism

| related-c =

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| related_groups =

}}

Kanikkaran are a tribal community found in the southern parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu states in India. According to 2011 census there are 24,000 Kanikkars,[http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=kev Kanikkaran A language of India]. The Ethnologue Website, retrieved November 21, 2009 living in several districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They dwell in forests or near to forests in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam in Kerala, and Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts in Tamil Nadu.

Though they cultivate everything and make agriculture as the main profession, they have a special liking for fishing and hunting. Literacy is estimated to be around 53.84%.[http://www.focusonpeople.org/major_tribals_in_kerala.htm#9 Major Tribals in Kerala]. Focus On People, retrieved August 20, 2011 Kaanikkar Nritham is a form of group dance performed as a rural offering. Kokra is a traditional musical instrument used by them.[http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/performingarts.htm Tribal Dances] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806203547/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/performingarts.htm |date=2017-08-06 }}. The PRD Kerala Website, retrieved August 20, 2011