The Banjaras of Bapunagar - A Settlement in the Urban Environs of Hyderabad

Abstract

This paper is intended to assess the changing patterns of cultural and economic life of a pastoral community viz., Banjaras in the urban surroundings. It is with this objective in view a Banjare settlement of Bapunagar was selected for the study. The Banjaras are a colourful tribe inhabiting almost all the districts of Andhra Pradesh. They are also known as Lambadis, Lambani, Banjari, Vanjari, Boyapari, Sugali or Sukali in different regions of the country. They are predominantly found in Anantapur, Guntur, Krishna, Kurnool, Warangal and Adilabad districts of Andhra Pradesh. The Banjaras present a complete picture of transition of a group of people from nomads to settled peasantry. The transition was no doubt marked by their struggle to adopt themselves to the changing conditions. The analysis of the present sample study reveals the details regarding the place and period of migration. A majority of the immigrants are from Nalgonda and Hyderabad districts. The study indicates that in each generation almost equal number of households had immigrated. The study reveals that 78.23% of the population are illiterate and only 21.77% of them are literate and educated. The community under study has been subject to certain changes due to their long association with urban life and of late with the growth off industrial undertaking. There is perceptible shift in their economic structure, i.e a shift from pastoral stage to industrial labour through agriculture and concomitant change in their material, social and religious life. Another note worthy feature is that the Banjaras have given up their traditional calling viz., cattle herding and agriculture and taken up diversified occupations and professions in the industrial society without social, family or individual disorganizations. Thus, the once pastoral tribe could now successfully adopt itself to the industrial and urban environment of variegated ethnic and cultural groups. These people have acquired new tastes of food and dress. Again, due to the basic changes in the structure of their economy certain traits of their religious life also underwent transformation as they lost their functional utility. In spite of all these changes one could notice that the Banjaras are maintaining the group solidarity and ethnic identity.