History of Coorg

Kodagu has been an independent or semi-independent kingdom through much of its known history. Its boundaries varied, often taking in some of the surrounding country, especially toward the east. The modern district of Kodagu was incorporated into the state of Karnataka (then named Mysore) in 1956
The name is Kodagu in standard transliteration. The name has alternative derivations. In one, it is said to be derived from the Kannada kudu, meaning steep or hilly. In the Puranas, Kodagu may be the land called Krodha desa, meaning 'Land of Anger' - the Kodavas here are described as Mleccha, meaning foreigners. It is also said that Kodagu is derived from the word Kodava, Kod means 'give' and avva means 'mother', i.e mother Kaveri, the river Kaveri.

The form often used by Europeans, Coorg is derived from this, by a transformation of the retroflex 'D' to 'r' (cf. MaDikeri to Mercara).The people are called Kodava (sometimes pluralized as Kodavas in English). The people may also be called Coorgs or Coorgi in English. The name of the language is Kodava Takk.

The local and endemic language is Kodava takk. kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and other languages of nearby communities are also spoken or widely understood in the district.

The Kodavas are traditionally warriors and agriculturists. Most of their rituals, traditions, and festivities center around their agriculture and martial bearing. Originally most of their lives were spent in the fields, cultivating and harvesting, wars, hunting for food, and guarding their fields from destructive wild animals. It is in this context that weaponry has become an integral part of their culture, with an emotional and religious significance. There are three main festivals; the Festival of Arms or Kailpoldhu, Kaveri Shankaramana, and the harvest thanksgiving at Puttari (puthari). These three festivals fall during the period of September to December