Chenchus of Nallamala: Tradition, Challenges, and Future

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Context

Recent observations highlight how Chenchus have been caught between their ancestral past and uncertain future in Andhra Pradesh.

Background

The Chenchus of Penukumadugu have lived in the dense Nallamala forests for centuries, their existence intertwined with the wilderness around them. However, their inability to keep up with the relentless pace of modernisation has led to dwindling work opportunities under the MGNREGA.

Chenchus are caught between an ancestral past and an uncertain future and are grappling with isolation, poverty, and an erosion of their traditional way of life.

About Chenchus

Category	Details
Region	Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha.
Language and lifestyle	Chenchu language (Dravidian language family).
Lifestyle	Traditionally based on hunting and gathering. The Chenchus collect jungle products like roots, fruits, tubers, beedi leaf, mohua flower, honey, gum, tamarind and green leaves and make a meagre income.
Interaction with Non-Tribal People	Largely symbiotic relationship; some specialize in collecting forest products for sale to non-tribal people
Status	Listed as Scheduled tribe and the tribe’s origin is linked to Lord Malikarjuna of the Srisailam temple.
Habitat	Nallamala forest of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh (sparse and deciduous forests).
Primitive Tribal Group	Identified as a Primitive Tribal Group, still dependent on forests, hunting for livelihood and not engaged in cultivation.
Land Use by Non-Tribals	Non-tribal people rent land from Chenchus and share part of the harvest.
Cultural Exchange and Kinship pattern	Other people settled among the Chenchus and learned agriculture from them. A Chenchu village is known as "Penta". Each penta consists of few huts that are spaced apart and are grouped together based on kinship pattern.
Interaction with Nomadic Tribes	Banjara herders graze their cattle in the forests and have been allotted land.
Socio-cultural aspects	The Chenchus are a broad exogamous group that is sub-divided into various clans. They follow the ancient system in Hindu tradition of gotras, which represents the lineage and descent of clan members. They never marry within the gotra or clan and intermarry with other clan members. Marriage is known as “Pelli”.
Worship and Religion	Belongs to Hindu Religion and worship Lord Eshwara among them is known as "Lingamayya", and Shakti as "Maisamma" or "Peddamma".

READ IN DETAIL-

Paruveta Festival

NREGA

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/mgnregs-37.

ALSO VISIT-

PVTGs IN INDIA UPSC

Source:

https://www.peoplesoftheworld.org/text?people=Chenchu

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/a-tribe-out-of-time-how-chenchus-have-been-caught-between-ancestral-past-and-uncertain-future-in-andhra-pradesh/article68714155.ece

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about Chenchus:

The Chenchus are a nomadic tribe inhabiting the Eastern Ghats of India.
The occupation of this tribe is hunting-gathering and rely on forest produce for their livelihood.
The Chenchus are listed under the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India.
They speak a dialect of the Telugu language.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 2, 3, and 4 only

Answer: d

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Chenchus are not a nomadic tribe; they are a semi-nomadic tribe and primarily inhabit the forests of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the Nallamala Hills region of the Eastern Ghats.

Statement 2 is correct: The Chenchus are traditionally hunter-gatherers and depend heavily on forest resources.

Statement 3 is correct: The Chenchus are recognized as one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India.

Statement 4 is correct: The Chenchus speak a dialect of the Telugu language.

CHENCHUS

Context

Background

About Chenchus