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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:
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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.