The anthropologists have conducted research works in the state of Kerala and inferred that there are quite a number of tribes who reside in the heartland of the region. The Various districts where these Paniyan tribes have built their settlements include Kozhikode , Malappuram etc.

According to the survey that has been carried out in the year of 1971, the total population of these Paniyan tribes has been enumerated to be 51,655. Several anthropologists even like to call them in different names like Pania, Paniya, Panya.

Although the origin of the Paniyan tribes are not known, there are few anthropologists who have tried to throw some light on their origination. Since these Paniyan tribes have dark skin, curled hair, big earplugs, and broad noses, they are thought to have been originated from some foreign country. These Paniyan tribes themselves have got no idea from where they have actually originated.

These Paniyan tribes have developed unique style of making their houses. A Paniyan village comprises of rows of huts all constructed from bamboo with thatched roofs. These houses of Paniyan tribes are either single- or double-storied. At the time of rainy seasons, the Paniyan tribes migrate to nearby rivers and cold regions. However, at the end of the season, these Paniyan tribes return to their original village homes.

Maximum of these Paniyan tribes use a dialect of the Malayalam language in order to carry on conversation amongst them. However, the Paniyan tribes who work in the lands also speak the beautiful language of Kannada.

Paniyan has an etymological significance. It represents `laborer`. In fact these Paniyan are amongst those tribal people who have worked as bonded laborers in the ancient period. Naturally, these Paniyan tribes have got life long bondage with the tribal employees.

Thus, it can said that the chief occupation of these Paniyan tribes is to work as farmers in the field of rich owners of the land. Although they have worked as bonded laborers in the ancient period, it was considered to be illegal. In the contemporary period, Paniyan tribes own their individual lands and also produce crops like rice and ragi.

In order to get food items in ample amount, the Paniyan females and children generally take part in digging roots of the forests or `pot herbs`. It is heard that some of these Paniyan tribes, especially those employed by the rich landlords deliver the coffee beans to their landlords applying illegal methods. In the present scenario, these Paniyan tribes are seldom been employed in such kind of activities.

Just like any other tribes of the region , these Paniyan tribes too held the institution of marriage in a high esteem. Usually, the Paniyan marriage is arranged with the aid of parents of both the bride and groom. . The family of the groom chooses a bride. The whole marriage ceremony is quite simple and is carried on by the village priest, better known as chemmi. As part of the ritual, 16 coins and new dresses are given to the chemmi, who again give these items to the parents of the Paniyan bride. Although monogamy is the common practice, instances are no rare when a Paniyan man marries more than one wife.

The Paniyan tribes have a plethora of religious practices and rituals, which they follow with lots of reverence and devotion. These include appeasing evil forces of numerous kinds. Several sacrifices and also worship of diverse animal gods and goddesses are feted though occasionally. Kuli is one such significant deity that a large number of Paniyan tribes worship. What is also interesting is that these Paniyan tribes also revere a Hindu deity , namely , Kad Bhagavadi and there is no image found as such , these tribes worship a wooden box only. . In mostly dense place of the Paniyan village , the shrines of this deity has been built and offerings are being given to appease her.