Chenchu

Abstract

The Chenchu are a very small nomadic forest tribe of Odisha who wander across the borders of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in search of livelihood. It is said that 'Chenchu' is a person who lives under a 'Chettu' (tree). Another interpretation relates to the Chenchu's habit of eating mice (Chenchu). It is believed that the Chenchus and Yanadis (a tribe of Andhra Pradesh) descended from the same ethnic stock.They mainly inhabit the Nallamalai Hill ranges in south eastern part of India comprising parts of undivided Andhra Pradesh. The history says that Chenchus are the first dwellers of Andhra region much before the Dravidians. It is believed that the Chenchus were employed by the kings of the south to protect the river Krishna and Thungabhadra. In Odisha they are largely found in the undivided Koraput district. They speak a language of their own called Chenchu which belongs to the Dravidian language family. Being a semi-nomadic forest dwelling and forest dependent tribe of hunters and food gatherers, they were in the past living in caverns or under the shady trees. Now they live in small huts. Most of the temporary Chenchu settlements are situated at the edge or interiors of forests to facilitate food gathering. Now, they are gradually shifting to the marginal agriculture and allied pursuits.The tribe is divided into several exogamous kinship groups called kulam or intiperu. They practice early marriage and prefer cross-cousin marriage. They either bury or cremate the dead and observe mourning and pollution for ten days. Purificatory rites are held on the 3rd and the 10th day after death.They worship a number of deities and observe rituals and festival as their neighbouring castes do. Their dances have no religious significance but performed for recreation. Presently, tribal development programmes have made some impact in bringing about some changes in their age old way of life. It is hoped that this book will be a valuable document for the tourists, researchers and academicians alike.