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Gutti Koya Tribe

6th July, 2023

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Context

  • Stone memorials erected in village Ramachandrapuram, inside forest on A.P.-Chhattisgarh border by people of Gutti Koya Tribe.
  • It is erected to give tribute to three most important dignitaries - physician, priest and village leader and in this way tribal people express their gratitude for their services.
  • These community servants served the tribal people in Ramachandrapuram village which is situated in Kunavaram Mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju District.

Other Details

  • The village Ramachandrapuram is inhabited by 40 families of Gutti Koya tribe.
  • During 2005-11, following a series of clashes between Salwa Judum and Naxalites, these families migrated here from Dantewara district in Chhattisgarh.
  • Dantewara district falls in Left Wing Extremist active region, also known as red corridor.
  • Only 3 people Vejji (physician), poojari (priest) and the community head are buried, rest are cremated.

Process

  • After death of any of these persons, a stone of the size of the deceased person is searched.
  • Then it is kept in forest in the memory of the person.
  • When the memorial is installed, a feast is organized by the family of deceased.
  • Thing like a knife, a sickle, Mahua liquor, which were dear to the deceased, are placed under stone memorial.

Gutti Koya Tribe

  • It is a tribal community which is spread in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
  • Their livelihood sources are animal husbandry and minor forest produce.
  • They appoint only males to the position of physician, priest and village leader.
  • Earlier this tribe was in news when some people of this tribe killed a forest range officer in Telangana.

Must Read Article:

GUTTI KOYA TRIBALS

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/gutti-koya-tribals

Salwa Judum

  • In Gondi language, it literally means peace march.
  • It is a militia developed and deployed to counter Naxalite activities in the Red corridor.
  • It is a government backed movement, started in 2005, present in Chhattisgarh, India.
  • In this generally authorities arm tribal villagers to fight the Naxalites.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements about Gutti Koya Tribe:

1. It is tribe community belonging to state of Tamilnadu.

2. This tribe appoints only male to the position of physician.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (B)

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/in-red-corridor-along-ap-chhattisgarh-border-a-tribe-keeps-its-customs-memories-alive/article67034590.ece