Ethnographic Perspectives in Kurunthogai

குறுந்தொகையில் இனவரையில்

Abstract

This study explores the ethnographic elements found in Kurunthogai, one of the classical anthologies of Sangam literature. Ethnography focuses on the cultural practices, beliefs, rituals, and daily life of people, and Kurunthogai provides rich insights into the ancient Tamil society. The text reflects various aspects such as nature worship, folk beliefs, food habits, social customs, and material culture. It also highlights practices like offerings to deities, fasting, animistic beliefs, and the significance of natural elements in everyday life. Through a close reading of selected verses, this paper attempts to analyze how ethnographic data is embedded in literary sources. The study reveals that Kurunthogai serves not only as a literary work but also as a valuable document of early Tamil cultural and social history.