Irula, also known as Iruliga, are a Dravidian ethnic group inhabiting the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, and parts of Kerala and Karnataka.

[1] The Irula people practice some sort of Animism where they primarily believe in a Goddess named Inga who lives with her 6 sisters worshipped in the form of stones under trees.

They also work as labourers[8] (coolies) in the fields of the landlords during the sowing and harvesting seasons or in the rice mills.

[4] In January 2017, Masi Sadaiyan and Vadivel Gopal from the Irula tribe of Tamil Nadu were brought in, along with two translators, to work with detection dogs to track down and capture invasive Burmese pythons in Key Largo, Florida.

[10] Irula people face severe discrimination and harassment from other castes and numerous such cases are reported every year.