Ezhu / Ezhugu

Ezhu / Ezhugu in Badaga Belief refers to a psychic or spiritual energy that Kurumbas were believed to control.
This energy could be used for healing OR harming, depending on the intention.
Kurumbas were seen as possessing special powers to communicate with nature spirits, forest deities, and ancestral energies.

To Badagas, Kurumbas were not ordinary humans – they were mediators between the seen and unseen worlds.

Forms of Sorcery Believed

Name (if known)	Purpose	Badaga Perception
Mandikattu	Sending illness or madness to a person	Feared
Ezhu	Spiritual vibration that affects crops, rain, or livestock	Neutral/feared
Kaattu Deyvanga Invocation	Calling forest spirits to punish or protect	Respected
Poisoning via Energy	Not physical but energetic harm	Highly feared

Key Point: Badagas believed Kurumbas could harm without physical contact, using mantras, stones, or forest spirits.

Kurumbas were deeply connected to forests
- They lived in caves, remote valleys, and dense groves believed to be inhabited by spirits.
They possessed secret herbal and spiritual knowledge
- Kurumba shamans could cure snakebites, fever, or infertility using forest rituals.
Natural events were linked to Kurumba actions
- If crops failed or cattle died mysteriously, Badagas often believed a Kurumba was offended.
Badagas saw themselves as “land people” (agriculturists)
- They depended on stable nature cycles.
- Kurumbas were “forest people”, capable of influencing these cycles spiritualy.

Gifts such as grain, ghee, clothes, and sweets were given to Kurumbas during certain times of year.
They were consulted during epidemics or crop failures.
If a Badaga had a bad dream or saw an owl/crow near their house (bad omen), they would call a Kurumba healer.

Effect on Behavior	Explanation
Polite Diplomacy	Badagas treated Kurumbas carefully to avoid spiritual retaliation.
Ritual Dependence	During crises, Badagas turned to Kurumbas for ritual healing.
Psychological Control	Fear of ‘Ezhu’ maintained Kurumba authority without force.
Cultural Influence	Kurumba chants and herbal remedies penetrated Badaga folk medicine.

Feared as sorcerers who could bring misfortune.
Respected as shamans who could cure and protect.
Never treated as enemies, but as powerful spiritual neighbors who had to be kept in harmony.

It was not hatred or casteism—it was a relationship of spiritual diplomacy.

Ezhu is the Badaga belief in Kurumba mystical energy.
It formed a fear-based respect system that kept peace between communities.
Kurumbas were seen as guardians of forest spirits capable of altering destiny.