Sholaga people
A Soliga girl | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 40,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| India | |
| Karnataka | 33,819 |
| Tamil Nadu | 5,965 |
| Languages | |
| First language Sholaga Second language Kannada, Tamil, | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Koraga, Irula, Yerukala | |
Sholaga, (IPA: [ʃoːlɐɡɐ, s-], also spelled S(h)olega, S(h)oliga and S(h)ōlaga), is an ethnic group of India. Its members inhabit the mountain ranges mostly in the Chamarajanagar district of southern Karnataka and Erode district of Tamil Nadu. They are also found in Ramanagara district in smaller numbers. Many are concentrated in the Biligiriranga Hills and associated ranges, mainly in the talukas Yelandur, Kollegal and Chamarajanagar of Karnataka. The Soliga speak Sholaga, which belongs to the Dravidian family. Under Indian law, they are recognised as a scheduled tribe, they have a population of around 40,000.