Context:
The Konda Reddis, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Gillaram village, have lived in harmony with nature for centuries. As they face the pressures of modernity, improving access to infrastructure and services is vital to help them preserve their unique way of life amidst growing challenges.
About Tribe
- The Reddy community, traditionally part of the Sudra varna in Hindu society, is a prominent group in Karnataka and other regions like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.
- The Konda Reddis inhabit the banks of the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh and They speak Kannada and Telugu.
- They follow an ancient pattern of life, relying on forest products for livelihood and preserving the environment.
- The tribe builds circular mud-walled houses with thatched roofs, similar to Gujarat’s Bhunga architecture.
Lifestyle
- The Reddy are mainly landlords and farmers, engaging in agriculture and animal husbandry.
- They are mostly non-vegetarian, with rice as their staple food, and also consume jowar, wheat, bajra, and ragi.
- Their society is structured around caste councils and divisions, which regulate marriages. They allow cross-cousin marriages but prohibit widow remarriage.
- Both men and women smoke homemade cheroots, leading to health issues like mouth and throat cancer.
Agriculture and Commercial Crops:
- The tribe is known for its eco-friendly practices, such as using bamboo for household items and cultivating crops in a distinct way called quotPoduquot.
- The Konda Reddis are primarily shifting cultivators, relying heavily on the flora and fauna of the forest for their livelihood.
- Farmers also grow cashew, Niger, chilli, and cotton, using the Podu cultivation method (forest clearing for farming).
- Paddy yields are low, with families owning less than half an acre for cultivation.
Political Organization
- The Konda Reddis have a traditional system of social control known as the Kula Panchayat.
- Each village is led by a hereditary headman Pedda Kapu, who also serves as the Pujari (priest) for the village deities.
- This dual role of leadership and spiritual guidance is passed down through generations.
Beliefs
- The Reddy are Hindus, worshiping many deities. Their key festivals include Ugadi, Akshade, and Dussehra, during which they sing bhajans and kirtans.
Conservation and Sustainability:
- Cow dung paste preserves mud houses, preventing insect infestations and keeping homes cool in summer and warm in winter.