Status of Narikoravar (A Type of Gypsy Community) Women Entrepreneur in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The gypsies are indigenous people whose main occupation were hunting but are also considered as one of the greatest bandit communities in south India. The word gypsies is derived from Europe, which means nomadic people. Tamil Nadu is a home to various categories of gypsies, and among them the nomadic tribes or gypsy named as Koravar (or) Narikoravan (or) Kuruvikaran stands in the forefront. The occupation of Narikoravar community is mostly hunting jackals and other wild animals. Later, due to the government ban on possession of fire arms, the Narikoravar community changed their occupation to selling handicrafts. Narikoravar women has always taken a background role-subordinate to the figure of men as the “bread winner”, and were shut away” in their family home. Comparing with women of other community, the Narikoravar women has more responsibilities that are imposed on her that resists her self-development. The plight of these women is mainly due to their upbringing in their family and culture. The nomadic nature of their culture, pose an obstacle for them to make a permanent income for their livelihood. They are economically poor and have engaged in self entrepreneurial business for their livelihood like selling fancy items, grocery items, soft toys making, ornaments and beads making etc. Even though they have an ability and skill in entrepreneurship business, they lack in upgrading their skills with technological enhancement. Hence, the researcher has focused on socio-economic conditions of the respondents, understanding the problems faced by women entrepreneurs and their awareness about government welfare schemes. The research also throws light on the status of women entrepreneurs, their economic status and their awareness about these schemes by employing appropriate statistical methods.