SAVARAS - A MONOGRAPH

Abstract

The Savara community, which has been based on the forest for survival and settlement since ancient times, is a replica of the different socio-economic-cultural and traditional modes of living. Though in recent years with the passage of time studies witnessing gradual change in their primitive life styles due to the impact of mass education, modernization, urbanization, the presence of Mass media, growing employment opportunities, globalization, linkage of transport facilities. The monograph which was typed and preserved in bound from during the year 1972 is facing the acute scarcity of its copies. Therefore, it is felt necessary to print the monograph which is reckoned to be as a valuable document for future references. The linear settlement pattern is the distinctive character of the Savaras of Andhra Pradesh. They speak Savara language which belongs to the Kol Munda group of Austro-Asiatic family of languages. Clinging to the traditional forest-economy on the one hand, and depending on improved agriculture on the other, are the oscillating forces of economy sustaining their society, the growth of which depended on the nature of their contact with the neighbouring people, in different conditions. It is very remarkable that the details of kinship structure mentioned in this monograph. Details of marriage rules and prohibitions, and role and position of women in the society, have also been properly discussed. Rituals connected with the life-cycle, marriage, birth and death as have been described. In the field of magical, religious, and festive life, the affinities have been pointed out and others traits of culture to have been well emphasized. Among the Savaras living in the plains the impact of the Great tradition is discernible in the dress patter, language, economic life and even in the religious life. There are many features in the Kapu Savaras, followed by Konda Savaras. Due to their relations with other castes and tribes, they remained some of the main elements of socio-religious and cultural traditions. Their traditional political system has also made a great change, and a new model of power building has emerged in villages, the tribe has a greater understanding of their rights and privileges, and now they are taking part in political life every day. Changes have taken place in the methods of acquiring mates and also in the conduct of the associated rituals. The Savara is still not conscious of not only the development programme that have been intended for his upliftment but also the protective measures that are expected to shied him from outside exploitation. There is need for fabricating official machinery with judicial powers to detect cases of land alienation and unauthorized money lending while simultaneously providing easy and quick credit so as to provide alternative sources of credit either through corporation or through the Cooperative societies after rectifying their defects pointed out earlier. Further, training programmes suited to various types of tribal leaders have to be evolved and intensified so as to provide quality leadership both in their productive and protective activities of life.