The others belong to the extended areas of the doab between
the rivers Krishna and the Godavari. The foresters answer
to the description of the Australoid sub-race. The Chenchus
of Srisailam hills belong to this class. They are short, with
elevated long heads and possess clear and well-defined eyebrows,
with protruding mouths and snub flat noses. The general colour
of the skin is wheat-gray and the hair is black and crinkled.
Gadabas, Savaras and Koyas belonging to the Bhadrachalam and
Simhachalam hilly areas, bear the complex features of Mongolids
and Australoids. From the earliest times, the Telugu land
included among its inhabitants foresters and hill-men and
other tribals. Some tribals inhabited the sea-board region.
Today there are nearly 32 lakh tribals and 50 lakh nomads
and other backward people in Andhra Pradesh. Their habitat
spreads along the coastal and mountain strip of the Bay of
Bengal from the Bhadragiri agency in Srikakulam district to
the Bhadrachalam agency in Khammam and Godavari districts.
From there it spreads north-east wards to the Adilabad region.
This tribal area is contiguous to the tribal areas of Bastar,
Dandakaranya and Vidarbha. There are about thirty-three kinds
of tribals in eight districts of Andhra Pradesh. Important
among them are the Khonds, Kolamis, Nayakpods, Koyas, Kondadoras,
Valmikis, Bhagatas, Savaras, Jatayus, Gadabas, Yanadis and
Chenchus.
These tribes have absorbed elements of Hinduism. The tribal
people worship their own pantheon of nature gods and goddesses
and continue to revel in their ancient customs and manners.
Their languages do not have scripts and are essentially verbal.
Tradition has a firm grip on them. The laws of tradition are
always obeyed scrupulously and any breach is strictly censured.
Their social life is obedience to the leader who commands
immense respect and holds sway over all aspects of tribal
life. They do not hesitate to participate in the feasts and
festivals of the community. They sing and dance. The Yanadis
along the coastline, the Chenchus of the Srisailam hill area,
the Koyas and Savaras of Godavari and Srikakulam forest areas,
and the Khonds of Adilabad forests are typical in ancient
habits. Their beliefs are simple and seek direct uninvolved
expression. They are honest and frailties in character. |
