Human Body Parts in Kodava

The human body is a remarkable and complex system, where every part plays a vital role in sustaining life. In Kodava culture, language is deeply connected to everyday living, making the knowledge of body part names an important aspect of preserving Kodava takk. Many Kodava words show similarities to Tamil and Malayalam, reflecting shared linguistic roots, while in recent times several terms have also been influenced by Kannada due to ease of communication and interaction.

This glossary presents commonly used Kodava terms alongside their Kannada equivalents, helping document, preserve, and pass on this rich linguistic heritage to future generations.

Head and Face

Head — Mande (ಮಂಡೆ)
Skull — Oad (ಓಡ್)
Face — Mood (ಮೂಡ್)
Forehead — Nethi (ನೆತ್ತಿ)
Hair — Thalmi (ತಲ್ಮಿ)
Eyes — Kann (ಕನ್)
Eyebrows — Kuyibhu (ಕ್ಯೂಯಿಬು)
Eyelids — Kann reppe (ಕನ್ ರೆಪ್ಪೆ)
Ears — Kemi (ಕೆಮಿ)
Nose — Mook (ಮೂಕ್)
Cheeks — Dhavade (ಧವಡೆ)
Lips — Kiri (ಕಿರಿ)
Teeth — Pall (ಪಲ್ಲ್)
Gums — Uun (ಊನ್)
Tongue — Naavu (ನಾವ್)
Uvula — Kirnaavu (ಕಿರ್ನಾವ್)
Mustache — Meese (ಮೀಸೆ)
Beard — Thaadi (ತಾಡಿ)

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Neck and Upper Body

Neck — Boole (ಬೋಲೆ)
Throat — Thonde (ತೊಂಡೆ)
Shoulder — Nipp (ನಿಪ್ಪ್)
Back — Benn (ಬೆನ್)
Spine — Benn moole (ಬೆನ್ ಮೂಳೆ)
Hip — Are (ಅರೆ)

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Arms and Hands

Hand — Kai (ಕೈ)
Palm — Angai (ಅಂಗೈ)
Nail — Oyi (ಓಯಿ)
Fingers — Bera (ಬೆರ)

Finger Names

Thumb — Pebbette (ಪೆಬ್ಬೆಟ್ಟೆ)
Index Finger — Chitteka (ಚಿಟ್ಟೇಕ)
Middle Finger — Naanyeka (ನಾಣ್ಯೆಕ)
Ring Finger — Koya bera (ಕೋಯ ಬೆರ)
Little Finger — Chinni bera (ಚಿನ್ನಿ ಬೆರ)

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Lower Body (Legs and Feet)

Leg — Kaal (ಕಾಲ್)
Thigh — Thode (ತೊಡೆ)
Knee — Kaal cherte (ಕಾಲ್ ಚೆರ್ಟೆ)
Ankle — Kaal karad (ಕಾಲ್ ಕರಡ್)

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Internal Parts and Structure

Body — Thadi (ತಡಿ)
Bone — Moole (ಮೂಳೆ)
Rib cage — Bhakkare (ಭಕ್ಕರೆ)
Muscle — Khanda (ಖಂಡ)
Skin — Thol (ತೋಲ್)
Nerve — Neru (ನೆರು)
Blood — Choore (ಚೋರೆ)
Heart — Thombe (ಥೊಂಬೆ)
Intestines — Karr (ಕರ್)
Stomach — Kela (ಕೆಲ)