CHAPTER - II

PROFILE OF SCHEDULED

TRIBES IN ANDHRA PRADESH

1

ANDHRA PRADESH '

PERCENTAGE OF SCHEDULED TRIBE$ TC]

rn!*lMl

a o m r n r * l P

PERCENTME OF ST WPUUTION

percentage of Scheduled Tribes to Total Population, 2001

O ScheduledTribesfom6.59XofhTuhlPopulationofAndhraPradesh at 2001. About 92 percent of the Tfibals live in rural areas.

+ Khammam, Adila bad, Visakhapalnam and Wararrgal districts have registered the largest proportion of Scheduled Tribes population. H y dera bad registered lowest propomon of Scheduled Tribe populabon.

9 The Sex Ratio among me Scheduled Tribes is 972 which is very dose to the state average of 978. Significantly, Sex Ratio among Vie Scheduled Tribes in rural amas is 974 which is more ban the 941 in urban areas.

Andhra Pradesh is one of the Premier States of the lndian Union.

It is the Fifth Largest State in terms of territory and population and it is the largest

State in South India. Before the formation of Andhra Pradesh as a new State its

land area was formed part of the then Madras State and the erstwhile Hyderabad

State. It was on November 1, 1956 the nine Telugu speaking districts of the old

Hyderabad State and the eleven districts of the Andhra region which got

separated from the erstwhile Madras State in 1953' merged into Andhra

Pradesh. This is the first linguistic State in the lndian Republic with Hyderabad

city as its capital.

Andhra Pradesh lies in the Eastern Sea Board of the lndian

Peninsula occupying 2,76, 814 Sq. krns., comprising 8.4 percent of the total land

area including a largest coastal line of 974 ~ r n s . ~ Bounded by the States of

Orissa and Chattisgarh on North, Maharashtra and Karnataka on the West,

Tamilnadu on the South and by the Bay of Bengal on the East, it formed the

major link between South and North ~ndia.~

The total area of Andhra Pradesh is divided into three distinct

geographical region comprising of 23 districts. The first is the 'Coastal region

comprising of nine districts generally called 'Andhra Region', the second is the

'Telangana Region' having ten districts and the third is the 'Interior Region'

consisting of Four districts collectively known as 'Rayalaseema' (Vide Table 2.1).

Table 2.1

. List of Districts In Andhra Pradesh

East Godavari West Godavari Krishna

S.No. 1.

Andhra

7. 1 Guntur 8. [ Prakasam

Name of the District Srikakuiam

Region

9. 10. 1 1. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

22. 1 Kurnool Source: Andhra Pradesh Year Book, 2005, Hyderabad: Data News Features.

20. 1 Chittoor 21, 1 Kadapa

Tribals in Andhra Pradesh:

Nellore Mahaboobnagar Ranga Reddy Hyderabad Sanga Reddy Nizamabad Adilabad Karimnagar Warangal Khammam Anantapur

Rayalaseema

Andhra Pradesh is the traditional home of nearly 33 tribal groups

Telangana

and most of these communities are found inhabiting in the border areas of

Andhra Pradesh in the North and North-East. The list of recognised Scheduled

Tribes of Andhra Pradesh is furnished in Table 2.2, Identical tribal groups are

found in the border areas of Maharashtra in the North and Madhya Pradesh and

Orissa in the North-East. Out of 33 recognised Scheduled Tribes in Andhra

Pradesh, 30 groups are mostly found living in the sprawling 30030 Sq, kms. of

Scheduled Areas in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam,

East Godavari, West Godavari, Khammam, Warangal, Adilabad and

Mahbwbnagar and contiguous non-scheduled sub plan area. The Scheduled

area in the State which is the chief habitat of tribal groups of Andhra Pradesh

constitutes 11% of the total geographical area of the state. The density of

population in tribal areas is 125 persons per Sq. Km. In addition to Scheduled

villages, non-scheduled villages on the basis of contiguity and predominant tribal

population are included in Tribal Sub Plan I I.T.D.As. Visakhapatnam District is

having highest number of scheduled villages and Mahaboobnagar is having the

least. With regard to area, Khammam District is having largest geographical

area under scheduled areas4

On the basis of geo-ethnic characteristics, the tribal areas of

Andhra Pradesh can be divided into the following five geographical regions:

I . Gond-Kolam ~ q i o n ' - the tribal areas of Adilabad district.

2. Koya-Konda Reddi Region - Tribal areas of Karimnagar, Warangal,

Khammam, West Godavari and East Godavari districts - area along

Godavari gorges.

3. Khond-Savara Region - Tribal areas of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram

and Srikakulam districts.

4. Chenchu Region - Tribal areas of Mahboobnagar, Nalgonda, Kurnool,

Prakasam and Guntur districts.

5. Plain Areas - Areas of habitation of Yanadis, Yerukulas and Banjaras or

Lambadas in the four districts of Rayalaseema Region.

1. Gond-Kolam Region:

The Adilabad district situated in the extreme Northern part of

Andhra Pradesh is part of Gondwana region and identical tribal groups are found

in the adjoining districts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. This district has

natural boundaries of important rivers i.e., Penganga in the North, Wardha in the

North-East, Pranahita in the East and Godavari in the South. Most of the rlvers

in and arnund Adilabad are tributaries of Godavari and this river exercises great

influence in socio-religious lives of tribals of the region. The predominant soils

are black cotton and sandy loams. Cotton is .the important commercial crop

grown in this region. The important minerals available in this district are coal,

limestone, manganese and clay. The district is having one of the richest forests

and area covered by forest works out to 42.43% to the total geographical area.

2. Koya-Konda Reddi Region:

The Koyas are found all along the Godavari river starting from

Karimnagar to East Godavari and West Godavari districts. The Konda Reddis

are inhabiting on either side of Godavari banks from Bhadrachalam area of

Khammam district to Devipatnam and ~olavaram areas of East Godavari and

West Godavari respectively. The mighty Godavari greatly influenced the socio-

economic conditions of Koyas and Konda ~eddis. As the lands situated on

either side of Godavari are extremely fertile, non-tribals in large numbers

immigrated to the tribal areas and occupied the fertile lands. Commercial crops

like tobacco and chillies are widely cultivated mostly by non-tribals. This river

facilitated the movement of non-tribals from widely populated plain areas of East

Godavari and West Godavari districts.

3. KhondSavara Region:

The Khond-Savara Region is one of the significant tribal habitat

having common tribal groups in adjoining Orissa State which was formed in

1936. This region spreads from forest and hill tracts of Srikakulam and

Visakhapatnam districts and these hill ranges form part of Eastern ghats. Winter

is extremely cold and summer will be pleasantswith salubrious carnate. The

Nagavalli, Vamsadhara, Suvarnamukhi, Vegavathi, Mahendratanaya, Gomukhi

and Chempavathi (Gosthan) are important rivers in Srikakulam district. These

rivers mostly traverse in the tribal areas of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts

but tribals are not benefited.

Machkund (fish tank) is one of the important rivers whlch forms

boundary between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh in the North-Eastern part of

7 1

Visakhapatnam district. The same t i e r is known as Sileru in Chintapalli and this

river joins Sabari river. The ~achkund.river profoundly influenced the socio-

religious lives of tribals of Paderu region. A section of Bagatas whose name is

Matsya (fish) worship fish of a pond near ~aderu area. Saada river which

originate in the Madugula hills flows through Chodavaram, Anakapalli and joins

into Bay of Bengal. Visakhapatnam .district is rich in its forest resources

especially minor forest produce. The forest is spread over an area of 4,70,813

hectares and this area constitutes 41.50% to the total geographical area of the

district. The maximum height in the hilly areas is 1,680 metres. Southern

tropical semi ever green forests are found in this district. One of the highest

broad-guage railway lines pass through the enchanting mountainous tract$ of

Anantagiri and Araku areas of Visakhapatnam district. Srikakulam District was

formed out of original Visakhapatnam district in the year 1950 and again

Vizianagaram district was carved out of adjoining areas of Srikakulam and

Visakhapatnam in the year 1979.

4. Chenchu Region:

The traditional habitat of Chenchus is found in contiguous forest

tracts of Nallamalai hills In the districts of Guntur, Prakasam, Kurnwl,

Mahaboobnagar, Nalgonda and Vikarabad areas of Ranga Reddy district. Much

of the area of these Nallamalai hills through which Krishna river flows is presently

declared as Tiger Project area.

The Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Sanctuary extends over an

area of 3568 Sq.kms. in the districts of Guntur, Prakasam, Mahboobnagar,

Nalgonda and Kurnool. It covers 124 villages of which 31 are Scheduled

villages. The total population in these villages is 23,404 of which 3,972 are

Scheduled Tribes and they mostly belong to Chenchus, a Primitive Tribe. An

extent of 13,457.50 acres of cultivated area is included in Tiger Project area.

The Chenchus of this area are more or less at food gathering stage

of economy and they largely live by hunting and collection of roots, tubers, honey

.and other minor forest produce.

5. Plain Areas:

Yanadi, Yerukula and Lambadas are the important numerically

predominant tribal groups found in the plain areas of the State. These three

groups were recognised as Scheduled Tribes from 1956 onwards in Andhra

region and from 1977 throughout Andhra Pradesh. Even-though they inhabit the

same area along with other caste groups, their settlements are found in separate

localities or hamlets. The settlements of Yanadis are found on the river and

canal banks as their main source of livelihood is fishing. The Yerukulas who are

mainly pig rearers and basket makers live in mixed villages maintaining symbiotic

relations with non-tribal groups. The settlements of Lambadas are found in

separate hamlets (Tandas) nearer to hill areas or pastures where they could rear

their cattle. Once Lambadas were nomadic group but in modem times, they are

becoming cultivators and rearing of' cattle has become their secondary

occupation. Yerukulas are found throughout the State: Lambadas are mostly

distributed in the Telangana region and sparsely in Rayalaseema and coastal

areas except in Srikakulam, Vzimagaram. ~isakha~atnam and East Godavari

districts. The Yanadis are predominantly found only in Andhra region.

Eventhough these groups are living in the midst of other non-tribal communities,

they are able to preserve their socio-cultural identity of their own."

Demographic proflle of Scheduled Tribes:

In Andhra Pradesh the Scheduled Tribes comprised 3.68, 3.81,

5.93 and 6.32 percent of the State's population as per 1961, 1971, 1981 and

1991 Census respectively. According to 2001 Census this State has returned

7.62 crores population of which the Scheduled Castes Population is 50.24 lakhs

constituting about 6.59% of the total population of the state.' The Scheduled

Tribe population increased f~om 7.67 lakhs in 1951 to 13.24 lakhs in 1961

(72.62%) and to 22.26 lakhs in 1971 (68.13%)3.1.76 lakhs in 1981 (91.67%)

41.99 lakhs in 1991 (32.21%) and 50.24 lakhs in 2001 (19.65%). There was

substantial increase in Scheduled Tribe population in 1961 because these

communities namely Lambada, Yerukula and Yanadi of Andhra area were

included in Scheduled Tribes as per the Scheduled Caste 8 Scheduled Tribe

Modification Order 1956. Similarly the Scheduled Tribe population almost

doubled in 1981 when compared to 1971 census reports because the area

- .

SCHEDULED TRIBE POPULATION IN ANDHRA PRADESH, 2001

Urban 3,77,181 (7.51 %)

4

Rural 46,46,923 (92.49%)

Total 50,24,104-

restriction for the above three tribes was removed in 1976 and these groups

residing in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh also became Scheduled Tribes

with effect from July 27, 1977. Similarly, the Scheduled Tribe population was

chiefly found in only Scheduled districts as per 1951 census reports as hill tribes

were alone included in the list of Scheduled Tribes in the Scheduled Caste and

Scheduled Tribe Order 1950. Out of total population of 7.67 lakhs in the entire

Andhra Pradesh in 1951, 7.05 lakhs constituting 91.92 percent were alone found

in Scheduled districts and the rest of 0.62 lakhs only were found in the plain

d i~ t f ids .~ Basing on the spatial distribution and level of development, the

Scheduled Tribe population in Andhra Pradesh can be categorised into five

groups as detailed below:

(a) Scheduled areas while the tribals living in areas of concentration and covered

by ITDA projects.

(b) Similar but compact pockets of tribal concentration outside ITDA areas

covered by 41 MADA areas;

(c) Tribal population living in 17 still smaller clusters;

(d) Areas inhabited by primitive and isolated tribal groups; and

(e) Dispersed tribal groups living in rural areas.

The Tribal SubPlan which was initiated in the V Five Year Plan to

ensure socio-economic development of tribals and to protect tribals against

exploitation has identified Scheduled Areas for integrated tribal development8

The scheduled areas extend over 31,485 sq.kms. which is about

11% of total area of the State with 5938 villages distributed in Srikakulam,

Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Khammam,

Warangal, Adilabad and Mahaboobnagar Districts. There are no scheduled

areas in the other Districts. There are 33 Scheduled Tribe communities living in

the State (Vide Table 2.2). Of the 50.24 lakhs tribal population, 30.47 lakhs are

found in the above mentioned 9 districts concentrating in and around Scheduled

area. As seen from 2001 Census Reports there are 25.48 lakhs males and

24.76 lakhs females found among the tribals with a sex ratio of 972 females for

1000 males. In Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and

West Godavari districts the female tribal population is higher than male tribal

population. In Nalgonda district the Female Tribal Population is much lesser than

male when compared to other districts in the State. The Scheduled Tribe rural

population in the State is 46.47 persons of which 23.54 lakhs are male and

2292984 are female and constitute 8.39 percent of total rural population in the

State. The highest rural population is found in Khammam (31.03%) District and

the least is found in Kurnool(2.15%) district excluding Hyderabad district which is

fully urban. The Scheduled, Tribe urban population is 37.72 lakh persons of

which 194356 are males and 18.28 lakh are female which constitute 1.81 percent

of total urban population in the district. The highest urban population is found in

Khammam 8.00% District and the least is found in East Godavari 0.87% district.

The highest Scheduled Tribe population is found in Khamrnam

District (6.83 lakhs) and Visakhapatnam district comes second (5.58 lakhs) and

the Hyderabad district is having the lowest population (0.35 lakhs). The

remaining tribal population of 19.77 lakhs is distributed in the other districts which

land outside Tribal Sub-Plan area which are also called as Non-ITDA areas or

plain districts. Except for the rural areas inhabited by Dispersed Tribal Groups

with a population of 17.64 all the other areas like those inhabited by primitive

tribal groups, the remote areas of the ITDAs and Modified Area Development

Agencies (MADAs) are by and large lacking in necessary infrastructural facilities

required for a minimum standard of living. These remote areas in particular have

poor infrastructural facilities including dismal communication network of roads,

drinking water facilities, electrification, health facilities weak land base etc. The

availability of infrastructure facilities in the tribal areas is far below the State and

National averages.

Table 2.3

Occupational Pattern of Scheduled Tribes in Andhra Pradesh

S.

No.

1 1.

12.

I I 1 1

Source: Census of India 1991, Issued by Directorate of Census Operations,

Type of workers

I I ,

Andhra Pradesh.

Trade & Commerce

Transport, storage & communications

An analysis of Table 2.3 shows that the Scheduled Tribe population

Total workers

2.17 13. 1 Other Services

in the district includes 21.31 lakhs (50.74%) main workers, 1.38 lakhs (3,29%)

marginal workers and 19.30 lakhs (45.97% ) non-workers. Of the main workers

8.77 lakhs (41.19%) are cultivators, 99.23 lakhs (46.57%) are agricultural

labourers, 0.46% lakhs (2.18%) depend on livestock, forestry, fishing, 0.09 lakhs

(0.46%) depend on mining and quarrying, 0.55 lakhs (2.62%) as household

industry, 0.34 bkhs (1.60%) on the other household industry, 0.12 lakhs (0.57%)

Percentage to total population

33636

2261 0

461 44

1.58

1.06

on Construction, 0.33 lakhs (1.58%) on Trade and Commerce, 0.22 lakhs

(1.06%) on transport and storate and 0.46lakhs (2.,17%) on other Services.

Table - 2.4

Proportion of Male and Female Wage ~ a m e n ' a m o n ~ Scheduled Tribes in

Rural Andhra Pradesh

Source: Govt. of India, Human Development Report 2001 National Council of Applied Economic Research, Oxford University Press, New Delhi.

An analysis of Table 2.4 shows the proportion of Male and Female

wage eartiers among Scheduled Tribes in rural Andhra Pradesh. The proportion

of Male and Female Scheduled Tribes .in respect of below 91 days is 61.39, 92-

183 days is 38.6 : 61.4,184-274 days is 42.2 : 57.8, and above 274 days is 50 :

50 whereas at State level is 55.8 : 44.2, 52.4 : 47.6, 55.4 : 44.6 and 44 : 56

respectively. In respect-of below 91 days the Male ratio is higher than female,

but in respect of 92-183 days and 184-274 days, the female ratio is higher, and in

respect of above 274 days the ratio is 50 : 50 among Scheduled Tribes.

As against the General Literacy rate of 65.0 as per 2001 census, the

literacy amongst the tribals is 17.16 and amongst tribal women it is 8.68 percent

while the general woman literacy rate is 64.16. The poor infrastructural facilities,

overall backwardness of these areas coupled with poor literacy rate have also

resulted in increased exploitation of the Tribals by non-tribals. Government

accord high priority to the accelerated development of tribals by implementing the

welfare and developmental programs which help the tribals lead a better quality

of life in terms of Health, Nutrition, Education and Employment e t ~ . ~

The details of district-wise predominant tribal groups in the 9

Scheduled districtslOare shown in Table 2.5.

TABLE - 2.5

DISTRICT-WISE PREDOMINANT TRIBAL GROUPS

S. No.

1. 2. 3.

Name of the Scheduled

4.

5. 6. 7. 8.

Govemment of ~ndhra Pradesh,

District Srikakulam Viianagaram Visakhapatnam

9.

Predominant Trlbal Groups

East Godavari

West Godavari Khamrnam Warangal Adilabad

Percentage of STs to total

Savara, Jatapu, Gadaba, Konda Dora -do-

Bagata, Gadaba, Kammara, Konda Dora, Kotia, Khond, Mali, Manne Dora, Mukha Dora, Reddi Dora, Porja,

Source: Performance Budget, 2004-2005, Department of Tribal Welfare, Mahboobnagar

population 5.38 8.49

13.74

Valmiki, Goud, Kulia Koya, Konda Reddi, Kammara, Konda Dora Koya, Konda Reddi, Yerukula, Yanadi Koya, Konda Reddi, Sugali or Lambada Koya, Lambada Gond, . Kolam, Pardhan, Thoti,

3.87

2.31 24.54 12.72 16.69

Lambada, Naikpod, Andh I Lambada, Chenchu, Yerukula 6.35

The total population of tribals in the four districts of Rayalaseema

Region viz., Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa and Kumool is only 3.19 lakhs

constituting 7.59 percent over states' tribal population. A detailed presentation

about Rayaiaseema tribals is made in Chapter V.

Sociocultural Profile of Tribes of Andhra Pradesh:

The Tribal Andhra Pradesh is varied in ethnic composition and

cultural patterns. As stated earlier the Scheduled Areas constitute an important

tribal belt of the Eastern and Western Deccan and sprawl from the scattered hill

ranges of the Adilabad district in the west to the irregular ranges of the great

Eastern Ghats bordering OrIssa through the continuous hill ranges touching the

borders of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in the middle. A small patch of

Scheduled area is situated in the heart of Andhra Pradesh covering the

Amarabad plateau in Mahaboobnagar District and Nallamaiai hill ranges in

Kurnool District. Thus most of the tribal area is bordering on the States of

Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. The numerous tribal groups

inhabiting the region are distributed on either side of the border. The border

tribes who indulge in crossing over the borders in search of better occupation

and marital relations are Gond, Kolam Naikpod, Pradhan, Koya, Bhagata,

Valmiki, Savara, Khond, and Gadaba constituting about one third of the total

scheduled tribes population of Andhra Pradesh. The remaining scheduled tribes

population of Andhra Pradesh, such as Yanadi, Yerukula and Sugali are mostly

scattered amidst the plains living with non-tribals. Even some of the hill tribes

are found living in the adjoining plain areas in symbiosis with plains people.

Amongst the four Southern States, Andhra Pradesh has the largest concentration

of Scheduled ~ribes."

The ethnic, social, economic and cultural complexities of the tribes

of Andhra Pradesh reflect a miniature tribal India. Chenchus and Yanadis exhibit

Negrito strain whereas the Khond and Savara slightly resemble the Monogoloid

stock. The rest of tribes have proto-Austroloid characteristics.

The social' structures of the tribes in Andhra Pradesh is also

marked by bewildering regional and ethnic diversity. Most of the tribal groups

inhabiting the agency tracts of Adilabad District are characterised by a well

developed four fold phratry c:;anisation. At the other extreme of the tribal belt,

the Savara social organisation is peculiar by the absence of clan organisation.

And in between these two extremists exist the tribes like Koya, Konda Reddi,

Bhagata, Mukha Dora, Manne Dora and Valmiki, who have non-totemistic clans.

Again the Khond and the Gadaba depict different social organisation with loose

phratry organisations which is the product of the prescribed marital relations and

the traditional bond friendship. Besides the horizontal stratification in each tribe,

the various tribal groups of the region have been socially stratified into a

hierarchy with superior status groups like Bhagatas occupying the highest rung of

the social ladder and Valmiki occupying the lowest round, with other tribal groups

occupying the intermediary rungs according to the status criteria decreed by

tradition and reflected in their commensal and other behavioural patterns.''

Ritually, there are broad similarities between the various tribal

groups inhabiting Andhra Pradesh. The most striking similarity is the existence

of Bhima cult among all the tribes in the State and many of them trace their

mythical origin to the Pandavas, especially Bhima. Further all of them perform

the first fruit eating festivals, fertility festivals and certain seasonal festivals. The

performance of life cycle ceremonies at the family level resulted in the evolution

of propitiation of ancestral spirits and the consequent individual religious

functionaries. While almost all the tribal groups either ignore or prohibit women

from actively participating in ritual proceedings, the Samanthas bestow special

ritual status on their women as is evident form the institution of 'Pejjini' the

priestess, who plays a dominant role in seasonal as well as life cycles

In the sphere of economy also; the tribes of Andhra Pradesh

present a heterogenoua structure. While the jungle folks of Nallamalai and

Amarabad plateau have a subsistence economy, living by collecting forest

produce for their food and working as forest labour to earn a little money to meet

their meagre requirements, the plains living Mbals, Yerukula and Yanadi are

earning their livelihood by pursuing various professions which include indigenous

and mid-wifery, catching rodents and snakes for skins and venom, pedlery,

domestic work, domestication of pigs,. etc., which compel them to lead

seminomadic life. On the other hand, most of the tribes inhabiting the forest

tracts and billy regions mainly subsist on agriculture of one type or other. The

tribes like Samanthas, Gadabas, Konda Reddis, Savaras etc., which are mostly

confined to hilly tracts mainly subsist on shifting cultivation as the flat land

available for settled cultivation is very limited. The tribals who are confined to

foothills and flat lands of the agency areas thrive on settled plough cultivation and

lead a sedentary life. The Koya, Bhagata, Valrniki and Naikpod are mostly

settled cultivators. But these groups some times resort to shifting cultivation, if

enough land is not available for dry or wet cultivation. In between these food

gatherers and cultivators are pastoral tribes like Banjaras and Goudus who rear

cattle for commercial purposes and the Amarabad bulls are a well known breed

specially developed by Banjaras of the region. Forest plays a vital role in the

economy of all the forest dwelling tribes for forests provide them with food in the

form of tubers, roots, leaves, fruits, flesh of animals and birds and cures illnesses

by supplying medicinal herbs. Skins, hides, horns of wild animals and minor

forest produce are exploited for commercial purposes. This agro-forest based

economy is subject to vagaries of nature. The rocky terrain, infertile soil, freak

nature, extreme seasonal conditions, lack of perennial sources of water

predatory birds and animals and the parasitic hold of money lenders and plains

sowcars forced them to live in perpetual poverty. Especially, with improvement in

transport and communications and eradiction of malaria, many plains people

84 .

have migrated to the hitherto inaccessible and inhospitable areas in search of

livelihood as traders and agriculturists and are mostly responsible for reducing

the poverty stricken tribals to farm labourers by alienating their lands through

usury and deceitful business transactions.14

Since time immemorial the tribal societies developed indigenous

institutions of social control for sustaining'harmonious intra-tribal and inter-tribal

relations in Andhra Pradesh. In the backdrop of their cultural pluralism and social

stratification there is ample scope for friction and maladjustment. This situation

assumes special importance in view of the multi-ethnic composition of the tribal

villages in Andhra Pradesh. But the temporary phases of conflict and tension

never pose a serious threat to the peaceful life in village as these traditional

institutions promptly reconcile the hostile factions. Every tribe has its own

community council presided over by a hereditary head man. The village level

council is composed of such elders drawn from various tribes. While family

feuds, violations of sexual, commensal and other prescribed norms and taboos

are the main concern of the individual tribal council, breaking of the tribe

endogamy, thefts, certain disputes over land and other forms of property and

celebration of village festivals.fall under the purview of the village council. One

distinguishing feature of the tribals of East Godavari, Visakhapatnam and

Srikakulam tribal areas is the existence of 'Muttadari' system' which is a relic of

the British feudal system in which a hereditary 'Muttadat is the head of a group

of village. He collects land revenue and pays a fixed Kattubadi' (revenue) to the

Government. He is the custodian of law and order of the area. For his services

he retains the land revenue collected in excess of the 'Kattubadi' amount and

enjoys rent free lands. In course of time these authoritarian leaders assumed all

pervasive powers and became the supreme authorities in all walks of tribal life.

The prevalence of 'Muttadari' system almost reduced the tribals to serfdom.15

Cultural ~ynarnics"

In spite of long standing contacts between the tribals and non-

tribals the social life of the tribes is still custom-bound as marriage by capture,

elopment, levirate, excommunication and explatory rituals, exogamous phratry

and clan organisation, which are entirely absent among the non-tribals of the

region but are socially approved among the tribals.

The ritual practices in Andhra Pradesh are more characterised by

bloody practices, ritual dances, music and song and strict observance in every

detail of the ritual on every important social and religious occasion. Their

religious practices are nearer to animism. Another noteworthy feature of tribes of

Andhra Pradesh is that only a handful of them are converted to other faiths. As

such adherence to conflicting religious faiths and consequent frictions have

seldom posed serious threat to the social harmony in the tribal villages. Further,

many of them worship even non-tribal deities and it is a common sign that the

idols like Ram, Hanuman and Ganesh find a place along with the tribal deities.

86

Education is a vital factor in accelerating integration. While non-

tribal societies are progressing at a general speed, the tribal societies are moving

at snail's peace and the gap between the two societies remains as wide as ever,

if not more.

Unlike non-tribal societies, the tribal societies in Andhra Pradesh

suffer from lack of enlightened leadership to fill the political vacuum created by

the introduction of Panchayati Raj. Most of the tribal Mandal Presidents and

Village Sarpanches belong to neo-traditional category of leadership as the

traditional leaders could successfully capture the statutory leadership because of

their long standing traditional hold. But when it comes to actual discharge of their

duties according to statutory provisions, these neo-traditional leaders have been

floundering as neither traditional decrees nor thorough knowledge of the

intricacies of the rules and regulations come to their rescue because the former

are out of context and in the latter they are ignorant. A tribal Sarpanch is more

successful as traditional leader rather than as a satisfactory leader. At the

Mandal level the situation is still ambiguous. Plains settlers play a dominant role

in the election of the tribal. Mandal President. Such a President functions without

spontaenous popular support or the skill of a seasoned politician."

Protective Legislation

It is into this vacuum that certain leftist movements infiltrated taking

advantage of simmering discontent caused by the nefarious activities of non-

87.

tribal merchants, money lenders and agriculturists who alienated fertile tracts and

tribal lands through illegal and repreherisive means of money lending and

business and the consequent reduction of the real tribal owner to the position of

farm labourer. A two dimensional approach has been adopted for tribal

development by the Government of Andhra Pradesh i.e., promotion of

development progress through participafory management and protection of

interests of Scheduled Tribes through appropriate legal and administrative

support. Under the provisions of Para 5 of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution

of lndia several regulations have been made by the Governor in Andhra Pradesh

to protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes in land and protect them from other

types of exploitation. The important regulations are discussed in Chapter IV.

Even after the enactment of all these protective legislations, neither land

alienation nor the activities of private money ;~,rders could be effectively curbed

due to cunning maneuverability of the provisions of the Acts by the money

lenders. The end product of this situation is the formation of a psychological

chasm between tribal and non-tribal or in other words aggrieved and oppressor."

Communication and Contact of Tribals in Andhra Pradesh:

Until the first quarter of the Twentieth Century the tribal areas had

been in virtual isolation but for the contacts with an insignificant number of plains

inherent traders who used to sell salt, spices and clothes to the tribals in

exchange of their hill produce. After stabilisation of British rule all over lndia in

the later half of the 19" century the wing5 of the government administration had

been slowly extended to the tribal areas. Tfie British started a sort of indirect rule

over these inaccessible and unhealthy areas through feudal intermediaries like

the local Rajas, Zamindars and Muttadars who are directly responsible to the

Government Agent of the district. Only in times of disturbances the government

directly came into contact with local tlibals and passed certain pacifying

legislations. Thus the British exercised loose administrative control over the

tribal areas.lg

The advent of independence heralded a new era of positive

approach by directly coming into grips with the problems of tribals. For the first

time, the government administrative machinery directly came into contact with

the tribals. The activities of certain v~:,~;tary organisations like Bharatiya

Adimjati Sevak Sangh, Sramika Dharam Rajya Sabha and Servants of India

Society received impetus due to the benevolent attitude of the government by

way of liberal grants and the sincere efforts of social workers in promoting tribal

education and associated welfare programmes. Further, the extension of

Community Development Programme into tribal areas gave fillip to the

development of communication on a large scale and the consequent relations

with the tribals. Construction of major Hydro-electric projects like Machkund and

Sileru and large scale exploitation of forest wealth and minerals such as iron ore,

manganese, lime stone and coal opened up tribal areas by laying up of all

89

weather 'pucca' roads and railway tracks'through the length and breadth of the

tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh and the neighbouring states. A giant step forward

in this direction is the laying of the prodigious D.B.K.Railway cutting across the

hitherto inaccessible and isolated tribal habitations' of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa

and Andhra Pradesh, connecting important iron ore and other mineral mines with

the major sea port of Visakhapatnam and.other nerve centres' of transport and

communications and industries of the country.

Further, the introduction of a net work of communications on a

large-scale and welfare institutions like Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Tribes

Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation has resulted in rapid

monetisation of the economic transactions, by supplanting the traditional barter

system of the tribes. This switch over to monetary economy resulted in

multiplication of wants without a corresponding increase in means to satisfy

theme2'

It was to this socio-cultural matrix that a new dimension has been

given by the introduction of Community Development Programme and the

consequent instrumentality of Panchayat Raj intended to uplift the tribals and

achieve rapid integration with the larger society of the region and the nation. The

integrated approach has been envisaged for the all round development of tribals

during the plan periods with the inauguration of Multi Purpose Projects like

Integrated Tribal Development Projects in Scheduled Tribal areas in Srikakulam,

90

Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Gbdavari, West Godavari, Khammam,

Warangal, Adilabad and Kurnool ( S r i ~ a i l a ~ l where the largest number of Tribals

are concentrated. Today there are as many as 9 ITDAs established under Tribal

Sub-plan. Alongwith this, A.P. Tribal ~evelopment Project is also being

executed, a programme covering 2077 villages and 63,000 Scheduled Tribe

families out of Nine ITDAs in the State. Here it is very important to note that only

40% of the Scheduled Tribes are deriving the benefits of the intensive

programme of tribal development as they are living in Tribal Development Blocks.

The rest of the Scheduled Tribes inhabiting plains and tribal pockets are denied

the benefits of the tribal development programmes. Spectacular results have

been achieved in the introduction of improved agricultural practices like use of

improved seeds, implements, fertilisers and insecticides, transplantation of

seedlings and some of the comil,=icial crops like chillies, tobacco, sugar cane,

potato etc. Another noteworthy feature is rejuvenation of the Cooperative

Movement by introducing a new institution namely, the 'Andhra Pradesh

Scheduled Tribes Cooperative Finance and ~evelo~ment Corporation' which is

largely contributing for infusing vitality into tribal economy by arranging organised

marketing system and providing agricultural credit facilities through a network of

Primary Cooperative Societies and Purchase and Sales Depots for the exalusive

benefit of triba~s.~' The overall performance of the prwrammes did not yield the

expected results in other fields like industry, social education, women welfare

and youth welfare. The programme sometimes fell short of targets because of

obvious reasons.

However, it is very important to remember that the common

principle cannot 'be applied for evolving comprehensive programmes of

development aimed at integrating the tribal groups with the society at large as the

factors of discontent and maladjustment and the nature of felt needs vary from

region to region. The existing hiatus between tribals and non-tribals must be

bridged to achieve integration. The modus-operandi for this herculian task is by

the fruitful exploitation of the natural resources to the advantage of local tribals,

linking every nook and comer of the tribal areas through a network of

communication facilities, dispelling ethnocentricism of non-tribal communities, by

initiating a process of cultural exchange between the tribal and non-tribal and

providing good education facilities by establishing craft based residential schools,

in Tribal and non-Tribal areas.22

An Overview:

Andhra Pradesh is one of the Premier States in India having

considerable Scheduled Tribe population. The Scheduled Areas constitute an

important tribal belt of the Eastern and Western Deccan. On the basis of geo-

ethnic characteristics, the tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh could be divided into

Goud-Kolam Region, Koya- Konda Reddy region, Khond-Savara region, chenchu

region and plain areas.The ethnic, social, economic and cultural complexities, the

tribes of Andhra Pradesh reflect a miniature tijbal India.

The social structure of the Tribes in Andhra Pradesh is also marked

by bewildering reegional and ethnic diversity. However, ritually there are broad

similarities between the various tribal groups in the State. In the sphere of

economy also, these tribes present a heterogeneous structure. Keeping in view

above socio-cultural and economic profile of Tribes, the Government of Andhra

Pradesh has adopted various measures for their development and welfare

through extending appropriate legal and administrative support and designing

and implementation of various developmental programmes including educational

welfare programmes. The administrative structure designed at Central and State

levels for policy formulation and execution for tribal development and welfare is

discussed in the next chapter.

Table 1 2.2

List of Scheduled Tribes in Andhra Pradesh

(Vide Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act

1976, No.108 of 1976, dated 18'~ September 1978)

S.No. 1. 2.

3. 4.

I 1 I Visakhapatnam, East and West

Name of the Tribe Andh Bagata

5.

6. 7.

8. 9. 10.

Districts of Habitation Hill tracts of Adilabad District Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram,

Bhil Chenchu, Chenchuwar

1 . . . . -. . . . . . - . .

16. I Kondh. Kodi. Kodhu. Desaya 1 Srikakulam, Vizianagaram,

~rikakulam -

Adilabad Kurnool. Prakasam,

Gadaba

Gond, Naikpod, Raj Gond Goudu (in the Agency tracts)

Hill Reddi Jatapu Kammara

11. 12. 13.

1 4

15.

~ahabu'bna~ar Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam Adilabad (Utnoor) 8 Sirpur area Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Araku Valley, Paderu Khammam Srikakulam, Vizianagaram Srikakulam, Vizianagaram,

Kuttunayakan Kolarn, Mannervarlu Konda Dora

Konda Kapu

Konda Reddi

17.

18.

Godavari Migrated from Tamil Nadu Adilabad Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari East and West Godavari, Khammam

94 '

~ondh; ~ o n k i a ~ondh, ~ i k i a , Kondy, Yenety Kondh Kotia, Bentho Oriya, Bartika, Dhutia, Dulia, Holva, Palko Putiya Sanrona, Sidhopalko Koya, Gond, Rajah Rashakoya, Lingadhari Koya (Ordinary), Bhine

Visakhapatnam -

Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam

East & West Godavari, Kharnmam Warangal

19. 20.

I 1 Godavari 22. ( Mukha Dora, Nooka Dora I Srikakulam, Visakha, East

21.

Koya, Raja Koya Kulia . Mali -

Karimnagar, 1 gKham;ml Mahboobnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Waran al

Manne Dora Srikakularn, Visakha,

Visakhapatnam (excluding Adilabad, Hyderabad,

23.

24.

Nayaks

25.

26.

I Warangal Districts 31. 1 Valmiki 1 In the A~ency tracts of Visakha,

Godavari Srikakulam, Viziangaram, Visakha, East and West Godavari,

Naik Pod

27. 28.

29.

30.

Khammam Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam, East and West

Pardhan

Porja, Parangi Peria

Tribal ~elfare'~epartment, Tribal Cultural Research and Training Institute, Govt, of Andhra Pradesh.

Godavari Visakha, Srikakulam, East Godavari Visakha, Srikakulam, East

Reddi Dora Savara, Kapu Savara, Maliya savara, Khutto Savara. Sugali, Lambada

Thoti

32. 33.

Godavari Visakhapatnarn Srikakulam, Vizianagaram

All districts except East Godavari, Visakha, Vizianagaram, Sr'ikakulam Adilabad, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahboobnagar 81

Source: Socio-cultural profile of Tribes of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad :

Yanadi Yerukula

East ~odavarc Srikakulam Nellore, Chittoor, Kadapa Throughout Andhra Pradesh

REFERENCES:

1) Ram Reddy G. And Sharma B.A.V. '(~d.), State Government and Politics, New Delhi: Sterling, 1979, P.8.

2) Prasanna Kumar et-al., Government and Politics in Andhra Pradesh, New Delhi: S.Chand, 1982, P.1.

3) India - 2003, New Delhi, Govt. of India, Ministry for Information and Broadcasting, Publication Division, P.724,

4) Mohan Rao, K., Socio-Cultural Profile of Tribes in Andnra Pradesh, Hyderabad: TCRT, Department of Tribal welfare, 1999, P. 1.3.

6) Census of Andhra Pradesh, 2001.

7) Mohan Rao, K., Op.cit., P.12.

8) Eighth Five Year Plan 1992-97, Vol.1, Finance and Planning (Planning Wing) Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, PP.27-30.

9) Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Performance Budget, 2004-2005, P. 1.

10)Annual Report of the Governor on the Administration of Scheduled Areas in Andhra Pradesh, 2004-2005, Hyderabad: Tribal Welfare Department, Govt, of Andhra Pradesh.

11)Government of Andhra Pradesh, 'Report on the Tribes of Andhra Pradesh', Hyderabad Department of Tribal Welfare, Tribal Cultural Research and Training Institute, 1986, p.6.

12) Shashi, S.S., Encyclopaedia of Indian Tribes Series - 02, 'Tribes of Andhra Pradesh', New Delhi: Annual, 1995, P.6.

14)Thorstone, E., Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Vol.lll, Madras, 1909.

1 S)Chauhan, Brij Raj, 'Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes', Economic and Political Weekly, Vo1.14, 1969, P. 16.

16)Yadav, C. P., Encyclopaedia of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, New Delhi: Anmol Publications, 2000, P.165.

17) Annual Report of the Governor on the Administration of Scheduled Areas, Op.cit., PP. 19-28.

18)Basu, S.K., Planning in Tribal India, New ~e lh i : ' ~ .~hand , 1982, P.14.

19)NIRD: Workshop on Development Perspectives for Tribals, October- November, Hyderabad: 1990, Background material.

21) Tenth Five Year Plan, Vol.ll, Hyderabad: Government of Andhra Pradesh, Op.cit., PP.320-322.

22) Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Report on Working Group on Tribal Development, 6973-83, New Delhi, P.102.