Source: The post on Chenchu Tribe is based on the article “A tribe out of time: how Chenchus have been caught between ancestral past and uncertain future in Andhra Pradesh” published in “The Hindu” on 4th October 2024.
Why in the News?
The Chenchus of Penukumadugu who are long residents of the dense Nallamala forests face dwindling employment opportunities under MGNREGA.
About Chenchu Tribe
1. About: The Chenchus are an aboriginal tribe residing in the Nallamala Hills, part of the Nagarjuna Sagar Tiger Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh. They are recognised as a Scheduled Tribe in Andhra Pradesh.
2. The tribe’s origin is linked to Lord Malikarjuna of the Srisailam temple. They also have smaller populations in Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
3. Social Structure and Living Pattern: The Chenchus live in small villages known as “Penta,” consisting of several huts grouped based on kinship patterns. Villages are overseen by a village elder called “Peddamanishi,” whose word holds the highest social authority.
4. Occupation: Traditionally, the Chenchus rely on hunting for their livelihood. They hunt animals such as deer, wild boar, rabbits, wild cock, and birds, using bows and arrows. Jungle products like roots, tubers, fruits, beedi leaves, mahua flowers, honey, gum, tamarind, and green leaves are collected and sold to traders and government cooperatives.
5. Livelihood: They also craft leaf cups and plates from tobacco leaves and sell items like tamarind and mahua flowers in local markets, which are in high demand. Honey is especially favored among the Chenchus and forms a significant part of their diet.
6. Marriage: The Chenchu society is divided into clans, with 26 gotras found within their community. Marriages within the same gotra are prohibited. Marriage is known as “Pelli”. It is often arranged by elders or chosen by the youth. The maternal uncle performs the ‘sampradaan’ ceremony (handing over of the bride).
7. Religion and Beliefs: The Chenchus worship Bhagwan Taru, a sky god who oversees their well-being, and Garelamai Sama, the goddess of the forest who protects them from danger. Other deities worshipped include Lord Shiva, Hanuman, and the Goddess of Fire.
8. Language: They speak Chenchu language variants such as Chenchucoolam, Chenchwar, Chenswar, and Choncharu, which have a Telugu accent.
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