Basic Statistics and Brief Ethnographic Profile of Tribes of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

The present Basic Statistics of Scheduled Tribes in Andhra Pradesh illustrates the brief ethnographic profiles of Andh, Bagata, Bhil, Chenchu, Gadaba, Gond, Naikpod, Goudu, Hill Reddy, Jatapu, Konda Kammara, Kattunayakan, Kolam, Mannervarlu, Konda Dora, Konda Kapu, Konda Reddi, Khond, Kotia, Koya, Kulia, Mali, Manne Dora, Mooka Dora/Nooka Dora, Nayak, Pardhan, Porja, Reddy Dora, Rona, Savara, Lambada, Valmiki, Yanadi, Yerukula, Nakkala Kurvikaran, and Dulia groups of Andhra Pradesh. Majority of the tribals are living in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Nellore, Kurnool, Ananthapur and Chittor Districts. Bagata is one of the numerically preponderant and ethnically significant tribe of Andhra Pradesh and their distributed predominantly in the Visakhapatnam district. The Chenchu traditionally food gathering, and hunting tribe and they found in Nallamalai hills spread over in the districts of Kurnool, Prakasham, Guntur. Gadabas are predominantly found in tribal areas of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts. At present Gadabas are cultivators and agricultural labourers. The Goudus are a pastoral tribe in the agency tracts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, and Visakhapatnam districts. The Goudu tribe is divided into twelve endogamous sub-divisions which are further divided into exogamous clans. Jatapus are an acculturated and teluguised section of Khond tribe. The traditional occupation of Kammaras of scheduled areas is black smithy and carpentry, most of them gave up their traditional occupation. Kolam live in exclusive settlements in interior forests and mountainous tracts. They perform Gusadi and Dimsa dances. Konda Dora, they call themselves as KUBING or KONDARGI in their own dialect, which is called KUBI. Levirate type of marriage is customarily practiced in this community. Konda Reddi are primarily shifting cultivators and largely depend on flora and fauna of forest for their livelihood. Khond, they are also known as Samantha, Kodu, Jatapu, Jatapu Dora, Kodi, Kodhu, Kondu and Kuinga. These terms are used for Khonds in different areas of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts. Khonds are experts in podu cultivation. Mali tribe traditional occupation was growing flower plants and making garlands. But now they are settled agriculturists. They grow vegetables and sell in the weekly markets. Porja are found predominately in the tribal area of Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. Porja tribe is divided into 7 endogamous sub-divisions or sub-groups. Nuclear type of family is found in almost all tribal groups and Widow re-marriage and divorce are permitted among the tribals in Andhra Pradesh. In the field of religious activities, Disari or Pujari officiates all the religious ceremonies in the agency areas of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam.