Tribes in Andhra Pradesh Diversity and Social Organization • 23

5. Tribal Diversity
‘Diversity’ is how the tribes of Andhra Pradesh can best be characterised. Their livelihood
activities, the technology they use, the religious and ritual practices they follow, the health
and hygiene practices they undertake, the marital and political aspects they live with, etc.
give us an impression that they are at a different level of development. Some tribes are
relatively isolated from the mainstream, while others are at significant degree of integration
and assimilation. These diverse aspects are discussed below.

5.1. Demographic Profile

Demographic facts of the tribes of Andhra Pradesh add to their diversity. They are
differentially distributed over various districts when their population is considered. While
the female ST population in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari
1 and West Godavari is higher than that of males, the pattern is reversed in case of the
8 other
eight districts. While Visakhapatnam district holds the highest percentage of ST population
in its total population, Kurnool holds the least. The table 1 shows the details population
of the Scheduled Tribes of Andhra Pradesh by district and gender:
Table - 1: District and gender-wise Scheduled Tribe Population of Andhra Pradesh

Percentage
S. Total Total ST Male ST Female ST of ST in
District
No. Population Population Population Population Total
Population

1 Srikakulam 27,03,114 1,66,118 81,382 84,736 6.15

2 Vizianagaram 23,44,474 2,35,556 1,14,687 1,20,869 10.05
3 Visakhapatnam 42,90,589 6,18,500 3,02,905 3,15,595 14.42
4 East Godavari 52,85,824 2,97,044 1,44,548 1,52,496 5.62
5 West Godavari 39,94,410 1,33,997 65,439 68,558 3.35
6 Krishna 45,17,398 1,32,464 66,734 65,730 2.93
7 Guntur 48,87,813 2,47,089 1,25,105 1,21,984 5.06
8 Prakasam 33,97,448 1,51,145 76,677 74,468 4.45
9 SPSR Nellore 29,63,557 2,85,997 1,45,168 1,40,829 9.65
10 YSR Kadapa 28,82,469 75,886 38,571 37,315 2.63
11 Kurnool 40,53,463 82,831 42,052 40,779 2.04
12 Anantapur 40,81,148 1,54,127 78,573 75,554 3.78
13 Chittoor 41,74,064 1,59,165 79,756 79,409 3.81
Andhra Pradesh 4,95,75,771 27,39,919 13,61,597 13,78,322 5.53
Source: Census of India, 2011. ST - Scheduled Tribe

5.2. Geographic Distribution

Tribes are not equally distributed over the land of the state. While some tribes are only
found in some districts, some others like Bhils, Lambadas and Yerukulas are distributed
across many districts or all the 13 districts of the state. While some tribes of Andhra
24 • General Themes Tourism for Tribal Development

Pradesh are hardly found in other states, others are significantly found in other states too.
Not all the tribes that are recognised as Scheduled Tribes in Andhra Pradesh hold the
same constitutional status in the other states. Some STs of Andhra Pradesh are not STs in
other states and vice-versa. While most of the tribes live in the Scheduled Areas in the
states, some tribes like Lambadas and Nakkalas are distributed in the general and plain
areas also. Following Table represents the geographic distribution of various tribes in
Andhra Pradesh:
Table - 2: Geographic Distribution of Scheduled Tribes in Andhra Pradesh
SKL VZN VSP ESG WSG KSN GNR PSM SNL YKD KNL ANP CTR
Andh 4 1 42 9 10 23 2 1 4 219
Bagata 71 174 1,29,772 849 33 41 22 8 13 21 1 29 13
Bhil 11 2 13 5 38
Chenchu 209 287 493 1,187 2,045 2,466 13,501 15,245 458 1,636 9,266 80 442
Dhulia 162 503 162
Gadaba 1,311 20,962 14,943 487 15 9 32 4 22 10 2 1
Gond 123 13 245 22 5,522 216 190 12 31 17 23 182 95
Goudu 7 255 6,533 196 6
Hill Reddi 6 9 14 9 6 19 12 2 6 4 34 36
Jatapu 27,455 98,718 205 59 43 131 17 13 2 3 2 11
Kammara 160 195 22,771 20,963 391 1,299 1,154 493 501 92 389 306 198
Kattunayakan 1 1 2 4 1 1 3 44
Kolam 83 4 8 1 6 5
Konda Dhora 5,507 53,892 1,35,583 12,563 1,257 1,434 130 22 61 11 2 3 44
Konda Kapu 132 116 2,392 4,693 202 1,655 49 63 23 123 135 323 148
Kondareddi 30 64 1,983 77,937 8,218 843 563 186 206 142 432 68 265
Kondh 2,564 673 97,899 816 85 39 40 11 83 45 16 14 93
Kotia 14,869 186 29,961 77 47 63 20 3 7 4 15 18 21
Koya 112 750 2,892 45,193 50,133 1,807 1,179 1,330 146 307 105 50 344
Kulia 15 332 17 7 2 3 2 2 4 1
Mali 61 100 2,986 33 176 20 41 21 17 25 623 1,014 127
Manna Dhora 427 4,546 5,344 3,123 32 13 29 2 22 2 1 10 87
Mukha Dhora 74 6,806 35,342 59 3 10 13 4 13 2 27 4
Nakkala 121 92 4 83 103 73 89 1,291 126 15 92 2,679
Nayak 48 8 185 51 1,578
Pardhan 0 0 11 1 0 21 1 1 1 2 0 5 4
Porja 4 201 33,626 2,282 18 2 5 4 3
Reddi Dhora 3 858 23 23 4 4 9 1 5
Rona 64 225 437 70 55 116 38 1 1 4 1
Savara 1,04,652 31,290 338 379 181 208 176 131 96 8 15 10 129
Sugali 173 71 1,122 582 8,595 60,611 85,429 21,183 710 21,172 35,442 1,00,182 26,248
Valmiki 77 1,452 54,641 14,177 166
Yenadi 468 257 569 3,941 8,159 18,233 63,032 73,469 2,43,001 27,859 607 1,370 92,781
Yerukula 3,692 7,704 7,455 20,345 20,388 38,649 77,615 36,822 34,094 21,259 31,437 45,829 29,920
Source : Census of India, 2011
SKL - Srikakulam, VZN - Vizianagaram, VSP - Visakhapatnam, ESG - East Godavari, WSG -West
Godavari, KSN - Krishna, GNR - Guntur, PSM - Prakasam, SNL - SPSR Nellore, YKD -YSR Kadapa,
KNL - Kurnool, ANP - Anantapur, CTR – Chittoor.
 Tribes in Andhra Pradesh Diversity and Social Organization • 25

5.3. Social Organisation

Different tribes have different characteristics and diverse cultural patterns. Their diversity
is more visible in the social organisation. Even though all the tribal groups are divided
into some named or unnamed descent groups, they are diverse in terms of the number of
those divisions, the associated descent principles and the attached marriage rules among
those divisions. Some tribes have moiety system. Some tribes have phratry system. Most
of the tribes have clan organisation. Lineage is a general pattern. Descent groups derived
from a known ancestor are called lineages, while those derived from a mythical ancestor
are called clans. Many of the tribes follow totemism, i.e. worshiping of the animal, bird,
material object etc., considered to be the mythical ancestor of the clan.

Table - 3: Recognised Descent Groups among Major Tribes of

Andhra Pradesh
S.No. Tribe Clans / Lineages
1 Bagata Killo, Chitrapuli, Mattam, Padal, Bonangi, Vanugu, Pasupuleti,
Koudam, Racha, Challa, Varthana, Kunthuru, Vantenabha,
Pujari, Gaduthuri, Adangari, Mamidi, Lochali, Vanthala, Gamu,
Samari, Kincha, Vanakidu, Bodigi, Gemmeli, Vanjara, Siragam,
Sagina, Gobbilam, Tamaria, Lake, Matyarasa, Muttam,
Kankipati, Adapu, Kimudu, Soba, Gollari, Ullangi, Desigiri
2 Chenchu Thokala, Nimmala, Erra, Signla, Maindla
3 Dhulia Vantala, Killo, Pangi, Kinbudi, Goluri, Korra, Burudi
4 Gond Sedmaki, Seedam, Naitham, Chahkati, Parchaki, Tekam,
Talenda,Poyam, Poosam, Kova, Ada, Kumra, Kinaka, Surpam,
Arka, Kursenga, Jugnak, Soyam, Kanaka, Dhurva, Pusnaka,
Valku, Anaka, Karpetha, Chikram, Athram, Gedam, Thodasam,
Kotnak, Veladi, Koscheda, Udde, Vuyka, Yerma, Korenga, Koram,
Urvetha, Pendor, Verkade, Arram, Duggam, Korketa, Vadde,
Kudmetha, Thumram, Kodapa, Vetti, Salam, Rayaseedam,
Marrapa, Herekumra, Mandadi, Madavi, Marskola, Purka,
Korvetha, Pandra, Vedama, Tadam, Misram
5 Goudu Korra, Pangi, Killo, Vanthala, Samardhi
6 Jatapu Biddika, Kumbirika, Gedala, Kondagorri, Addakula, Mutaka,
Thoyika,Mandangi, Vulaka, Kurangi, Nimmaka, Arika, Biddika,
Kondagorre, Himarika, Palaka, Pallerika, Arinagi, Adalle, Chitti,
Pilli, Rayila, Gedala, Tadangi, Vataka, Mutaka, Addakula,
Kondangi, Kadraka, Yelagavalsa, Padi, Soragali
7 Kammara Korra, Killo, Bhalu, Samardhi, Pangi
8 Konda Dhora Korra, Killo, Swabi, Pangi, Paralek, Mandelek, Kimudu, Ontalu,
Bidaka, Somelunger, Surrek, Goolorigune, Olijukula
9 Kondareddi Duchai, Jampa, Konala, Gudanala, Gadabala, Tammala,
Mutiwada,Gatreddi, Kelala, Kondla, Veluguni, Mula, Pallala,
Sadala, Kakuri, Kopal, Golla, Karakala, Boli, Gogula, Gugunta,
26 • General Themes

S.No. Tribe Clans / Lineages

Madkam, Sagina, Kittula, Ketchala, Barchea, Kalmuka, Andala,
Damala, Matla, Radala, Chendala, Tammila, Cholea, Murala,
Sukura, Bhattu, Kotla, Chedala, Revula, Bisala, Valala, Kanabala,
Arusukula, Kuria, Vendula, Agedela, Dasakattula, Ventla, Patla,
Pogula, Purari, Poteri, Boduluru, Thumbaudu, Sambaudu,
Arecell, Vinela, Pitla, Chintala, Sidi, Sonkala, Kondamodalu,
Sintalavada, Parchika, Korukodi, Koppu, Suntru, Madi, Tumuru,
Kanugula, Dipala, Upochoti, Buzur, Peeru
10 Kondh Melleka, Mandinga, Sirika, Hooika, Vingoda, Hareka, Niska,
Praksha,Killeka, Holka, Mutaka, Boikinga, Kumrika, Limmaka,
Miniyeka
11 Kotia Matya, Naga, Geedh, Gorapitta
12 Kulia Naga, Surjo, Matya, Killo, Gollori, Pangi
13 Mali Bodo (Khandya, Pondra, Thagoor), Sano (Pannari, Sarukava,
Donguradiya, Kosalya)
14 Manna Dhora Killo, Matya, Gollori, Rambi, Pangi, Korra, Naga
15 Mukha Dhora Korra, Gammela, Kakara, Kinchoyi, Sugra, Yamali, Chikudu,
Mamidi
16 Nakkala Datto, Dalkhai, Manne, Makryo, Kheta, Bhoko, Mevado, Nand,
Neelajee, Dharkyo, Veethyo, Hajo, Pithyo, Kalching, Ubariyo,
Lambo, Dambo, Seliyo
17 Porja Killo, Kimudu, Korra, Rambi, Pangi, Ontala, Gollori
18 Savara Arika, Biddika, Kumbirika, Gedala, Korangi, Kondagorri,
Addakula, Mutaka
19 Sugali Korra Saphaval, Keluth, Lavudya, Palthya, Aloth, Jatroth, Muna,
Muchalo, Banoth, Bhukya, Dharamsot, Loheda, Gaida, Kumbani,
Dhanth, Vadiyajith, Jagathe, Hathya, Raja, Puna Ratbhani,
Adabbu, Lokaval, Nunavath, Dharavath, Ghukaloth, Halavath,
Tejavath, Ajemera
20 Valmiki Naga, Matya, Pangi, Vanthala, Korra, Bhallu, Chilli, Poolu, Killo
21 Yerukula Sathupadi, Kavadi, Manpadi, Mendraguthy

5.4. Linguistic Pattern

Language is a medium for communication. But, the function of language doesn’t end there.
Language has multiple structures and functions. Deeply studying and analytically
understanding a language enables us to understand the society and culture to which the
language is related. Most of the tribes have their own language or dialects while they also
speak the native language. The languages of some tribes have their own script also. The
dialects and languages spoken by a tribe are generally influenced by the geographic area
they live in. While some tribes speak a language highly distinct from the language of the
 Tribes in Andhra Pradesh Diversity and Social Organization • 27

nearby non-tribals, other tribes speak a mixture of the two. Further, in some cases, the
tribes are called with different names in different states. For example, the tribe which is
called Savara in Srikakaulam and Vizianagaram districts of Andhra Pradesh is called
Soara in Gajapati district of Orissa. These variations have multiple facets. Understanding
and deciphering the code of language has been a very critical and important analytical tool
in the process of clearly and vividly understanding any culture. Following table represents
the primary language of each tribe of Andhra Pradesh and the other languages spoken by
them:

Table - 4 : Languages Spoken by the Tribes of Andhra Pradesh

Other Other
S. Language S. Language
Tribe Languages Tribe Languages
No. Spoken No. Spoken
Spoken Spoken
1 Andh Andh Telugu 18 Kotia A version
of Odiya
2 Bagata Bagata Telugu,
Adivasi Odiya 19 Koya Koya Telugu
3 Bhil Bhil 20 Kulia Odiya Telugu
4 Chenchu Chenchu Telugu 21 Mali Telugu
5 Dhulia Telugu 22 Manna Telugu,
Dhora Manna Odiya
Dhora
6 Gadaba Gutub Telugu 23 Mukha Telugu,
Dhora Mukha Adivasi
Dhora Odiya
7 Gond Gondi 24 Nakkala Nakkala
8 Goudu Adivasi
Odiya Telugu 25 Nayak Telugu
9 Hill Reddi Telugu 26 Pardhan Telugu
10 Jatapu Khond Telugu 27 Porja Telugu Adivasi
Odiya
11 Kammara Telugu 28 Reddi
Dhora Telugu
12 Kattunaya- Dravidian 29 Rona Odiya
kan language
mixture
13 Kolam Kolami 30 Savara Sora
14 Konda Telugu Adivasi 31 Sugali GorBoli
Dhora Odiya
15 Konda Telugu 32 Valmiki Telugu A version
Kapu of Odiya
16 Kondareddi Telugu 33 Yenadi Telugu
17 Kondh Kui 34 Yerukula Yerukula Telugu