Indigenous people of South India

I have created forums. Express yourself.

http://yerukala.info/forum/index.php

Found a new matrimonial web site/agency just for Yerukalas. Check it out.

http://ekalavyamarriage.com/

The current topic is about Caste & Politics/Government.

I recently stumbled upon a consolidated list of communities of Tamilnadu in Tamilnadu Public Service Commission website. Click here to have a peek. There are around 30 different castes with names which sounded and looked like Koravar. And almost all the academics (sociologists and anthropologists alike) have agreed and accepted that Koravar is just one big community with same Gotras and surnames. Upon curiosity, checked the sub castes of Reddy community which is a caste group (falls under General Category) in Andhra Pradesh. With all due respect, the disclaimer here is, Reddy community has been referred here just as an example. Click here to have a peek about the Reddy sub castes.

A Dobba Koravar has to get a caste certificate with his caste name as Dobba Koravar. A Vetta Koravar has to get his caste certificate with his caste name as Vetta Koravar. But in the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh, a Kodithi Kapu will get his caste certificate as a Reddy not as Kodithi Kapu and Gone Kapu will get his caste certificate as Reddy not as Gone Kapu.

The question is, Why the Government is issuing caste certificates like that and are also following the same Divide and Rule policy of the white people?

Click here to see the castes in Andhra Pradesh alone from a government website. It says there are 365 sub castes. But it forgot to consider Kodithi Kapus and Gone Kapus as sub castes. All these guys are under Reddy category. It is the same case with other forward castes like Brahmins, Kammas etx.

The koravars are still being called with different caste titles which are supposedly been given by the administration from the dark ages of colonial India.

The consequence is, because of Dobba Koravar and Vetta Koravar caste names, the Koravar people are divided into small communities and became minorities with no real strength. Koravars are not as lucky as Reddys or Kammas of Andhra Pradesh. The Reddys and Kammas became stronger because of this policy of unifying them under common name. Out of the total 19 Chief Ministers of AP so far 11 are from Reddy caste and 3 are from Kamma caste.

Narikoravar
Dabi Koravars
Gandarvakottai Koravars
Inji Koravars
Koravars
Kalinji Dabikoravar
Kala Koravar
Monda Koravars

and so on..

Arava Reddy
Ayodhi Reddy
Bhumanchi Reddy
Chowdary Reddy or Saudary Reddy
Chitati Reddy
Deshmukh Reddy
Dodla Reddy
Desuru Reddy
Gandla Reddy
Ganjam Reddy
Gone Kapus

and so on..

http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/04/14/stories/2005041403990400.htm

The above link will lead you to a section of news items briefly. Scroll down a little and look for Nari Korava shot dead. The incident is about a domestic argument leading to the death of one guy.

Now imagine something like this. No disrespect or offence to Brahmins. This is just for illustration purpose only.

Brahmin shot dead

VILLUPURAM: A. Suman, a Bramhin residing at Nathamedu near Tindivanam, was allegedly shot dead by his brother-in-law A. Ramesh (20) with a country-made gun on Tuesday night.

The police arrested Ramesh and his father S. Anjumani (45). The incident occurred following a petty quarrel between Suman’s son, Arunkumar, and his nephew in the school.

Suman’s wife, after an argument, complained about his rude behavior to her father and brother. Later, in a clash Suman was shot dead. — Special Correspondent

What is wrong with these reporters? Where are your ethics and respect for law? Caste system is banned in India. Why do they have to mention about the caste there? Do they imply to say that domestic violence occurs only in Nari Korava community?

http://www.global12project.com/2004/profiles/p_code1/644.html

The above link is the one which is on the TOP OF THE LIST if one searches in Google with Yerukala as the keyword.

The first point to consider is it is a western Christian missionary website and their motives are well known.

I found the certain portions of the profile about Yerukalas as offensive, derogatory, denigrating and outdated information.

I couldn’t help but wonder why they are living in the memories of the past. I understand that these people live on the other side of the globe, but they should open their eyes and realize that it is 21st century not 19th century.

1) They are primarily located in the Godavari district. - Please look at this link for the population distribution of Yerukalas. http://www.yerukala.info/html/demographics.html. And it is just not a Godavari district, it is split into two districts (East Godavari and West Godavari) in 1925.
 
2) The Yerukala were previously nomads who acted as spies for the rulers of the land. - I have never came across any statement like this before. Not even in the sinister publications of British Rulers.
 
3) Today, the Yerukala deal in salt, tamarind (plant used to make curry), and curry leaves. - Are you considering 2007 or 1927 as today? Do they have any idea how many doctors and engineers are graduating from this community including institutes like IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) every year?
 
4) Although the Yerukala are considered an ex-criminal tribe, 40% of them are still involved in crime, both out of tradition and necessity. They are a threat to the neighboring peoples and are known as burglars, thieves, and highway robbers. - Are you considering 2007 or 1927 as today? May be you should check police summary reports of 2007 not of 1927. And these guys intented to remove that threat by converting them to Christianity? I wonder, how?
 
5) Their primary occupations are farming, crime, agricultural labor, and some government jobs - Primary occupation is Crime? And some government jobs? Refer to http://www.yerukala.info/html/distinguished.html.
 
6) If he does, he must “be purified” by having his tongue burned with a gold-piece - Are they referring to 15th century by any chance?
 
7) One distinctive trait of the Yerukala is that if a man goes to jail, his wife selects another partner for the period of her husband’s absence. She then returns to her original husband upon his release. - Do they want the entire world to believe that? We are in 21st century I believe.
 
And etx etx…

I have approached this website administrator numerous times to remove/edit the profile about Yerukalas. But there was no success in my efforts. They just ignore.

Why the information in the profile should be removed?

• The information is out of date.

• The information has been collected from books written during the British Imperialist Rule, like ages ago.

• It gives a totally false image about Yerukalas.

• The information is of offensive and derogatory nature.

Past is important. But one should not live in the past. Present is there to live and future to look forward to.

http://www.aptribes.gov.in/html/tcr-studies-eci-yerukalas.htm

The above link takes you to the only reference found about Yerukalas on the Andhra Pradesh Tribal Welfare Department website.

I couldn’t help but wonder why the sub-heading is Yenadis when the profile is about Yerukalas.

Scroll down a little down and the last 9 paragraphs are not about Yerukalas but they are about Yenadis.

I am amazed about the gross ignorance and negligence of the person who wrote this profile with such outdated information.

Past is important. But one should not live in the past. Present is there to live and future to look forward to.

There is absoultely no information about this ancient community anywhere on the Internet except www.yerukala.info.

The Gujjar or Gurjar are an ethnic group and caste of the Indian subcontinent. Alternative spellings include Gurjara, Gujar and Goojar. Traditionally, the Gurjars belong to the Kshatriya varna in Hinduism. Over the years, the Gurjars were assimilated mainly into the castes of Kshatriya varna, although some Gurjar groups (such as Gaur Gurjars of central India) are classified as Brahmins.

In the eighteenth century (during the british rule), several Gujjar chieftains and small kings were in power.

In India, Gujjar populations are found mainly in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, northern Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. The semi-nomadic Gujjar groups are found in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and north-western Uttar Pradesh. The name for the state of Gujarat has derived from “Gurjar”. Gujjars in North India are now considered as a vote bank by some political parties. Late Sardar Patel, Rajesh Pilot were major Gujjar leaders in North India. The Gujjars were classified as a Scheduled Tribe in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, and as Other Backward Class in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujjar.

Our community people are brave, hardworking and independent minded people who have desire to excel. The Gurjars are characterized by their strong and large build. The Gurjars have a very good self esteem and they are a proud people. They posses both the desire and ability to rule the world. In the ancient time we had blessed with the great leaders like King Mihir Bhoj, Vijay Singh Pathik, Sarder Vellabh Bhai Patel and many more. As per the Varna (Caste) system, the Gurjar/Gujar/Gujjar are traditionally belonged to the Kshatriya Caste or the warrior class, and formerly ruled the Gurjara-Pratihara Kingdom, which included much of northern India during the 8th and 9th centuries.The Gurjars of today are mainly a combination of local South Asian peoples who have absorbed some Central Asian elements over time. Many Gurjars are well represented in agriculture, the urban professions, civil service and officer class. They are now settled on large tracts of lands in northern India and Pakistan.They are also known as very good farmers.

The Total Population of Gurjars in India is 5.3 Crores and 3.2 Crores in Paksitan.In India gurjars are mainly reside in UP, Rajastan, Gujrat, MP, Haryana, Karnataka, Jammu and kashmir and Orissa.But the majority of population resides in UP, Rajasthan and Gujrat.In India most of gurjars are Hindus except Gurjars in Jammu and kashmir. The Gurjars of JK are Muslims. While in Pakistan Gurjars are found mainly in Attak, Peshawar, Jhelam, Rawal pindi, Gujranwala, Sialokote, Lahore and Gujrat. All of the Pakistani Gurjars are Muslim Gurjars. Gurjars have some Popolation in afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Chechan and Georgia also but Gurjars are in minorities in these countries. These Countries have all together 50 lakhs of gurjar population.

Read more at http://www.gurjarsonline.com.

Couple of points..

1) Do these people need ST status? Reservation is for the communities which have been suppressed for ages, not for the suppressors. From the data that can be read above, theirs is royal blood. The criteria of ‘Tribalness’ in this case is that they are descended from the nomadic Khazar tribes some 3000 years ago.

2) The total ST population, all the communities which come under ST category, in the entire country is around 8 crores. They have been allotted the reservation quota as 7.5% proportionate to their population. Will they be an increase in that percentage?

3) Why ST quota? Why not SC quota? - One wonders’ if this is because Dausa (Sachin Pilot’s Lok Sabha constituency) is going to be made S.T reserved, not S.C reserved.

4) The whole idea behind the reservation system is to make the poor the better, it is not to help the rich to become richer.

A high-level official committee has rejected the demand by Gujjars in Rajasthan for Scheduled Tribe status but suggested a special package to members of the community living in under-developed and remote areas of the state.

The Gujjars had waged a violent campaign across Rajasthan for ST status in May and June this year which 26 people were killed in police firing and clashes with Meena community members.

Read more at http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/dec/18rajriot.htm.

With a high-level panel rejecting their demand for Scheduled Tribe status in Rajasthan, Gujjars on Tuesday threatened to launch afresh a stir even as BJP high command promised to talk to party’s government in the state to resolve the matter.

Read more at http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/dec/18rajriot1.htm.

Two and half decades ago, two illiterate tribal families of Yerukala community settled down in a small village of Pesarakunta in Rapthadu mandal of Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, which today has 58 families.

Unlike habitations of Yerukala community, this village boasts of highly educated younger generation. It has five engineering students of them one is studying in IIT, Kharagpur, two medical students and others pursuing various courses. All the children are pursuing their education in prestigious schools and colleges. The entire first generation of the village is illiterate and eked out a living by making baskets and working as farm hands.

It all changed in 1993, when two Self Help Groups formed by the village women were given revolving fund of Rs 15,000 each and a loan of Rs 15,000 by DRDA. Sheep was bought and reared. Canara Bank’s Rs 2 lakh loan to the SHGs for procuring cows had ushered in a white revolution in the village and in a short time every household boasts of having two to three cows producing 20 liters of milk a day. On an average 2,000 liters’ of milk is supplied to the milk collection centers and the economy of the village has improved tremendously. Every household is getting an income of Rs 7,000 to Rs 15,000 per month.

The new earned respect had prompted the tribesmen to take a unanimous decision to give up drinking, for which the community was infamous for.

Read more..

Most of the people in Yerukala community are still living in sub-human standards and unaware of the opportunities/government schemes that are available for them. The awareness about these opportunities needs to be created among them. If you happen to know anyone from these backward communities, tell them about these opportunities.

The above article is proof enough that given an opportunity, this community people are capable of progressing economically.

All they need is a shot at it.

Ahukuntika clan is a gypsy community in Srilanka. They are mostly visible in the districts of Anuradhapura, Puttlan and in Colombo. There are around 410 families of this gypsy community. Their occupations include snake charming and their women are engaged in fortune telling/palm reading, ’saasthare’. For the last 15 years or so, this nomadic community is gradually becoming a sedentary community.

The only online reference available regarding this community online is Gypsy touch to combat snake-bite.

Chamarti Muralidhar, a News Today (Eenadu) reporter, reports that the Ahukuntika gypsy community is from Telugu speaking areas.

Some of his findings are..

• Ahukuntikas have migrated to Srilanka more than 400 years back.

• Ahukuntikas don’t know that there is a script for the language they speak.

• Ahukuntikas don’t know that there are 80 million more people who share their language.

• Some of the Ahukuntikas are still nomads, they barely stay each place for more than a week.

• Ahukuntikas are gradually getting settled into sedentary lifestyle.

• Ahukuntikas are venturing into new field like agriculture, business and fisheries.

• Ahukuntikas speak mostly rugged telugu but some of the families speak rugged tamil.

• Ahukuntikas are slowly drifting away from their culture, language and religion.

• Ahukuntikas belong mostly to kurava, vaddera and Yerukala castes.

• Ahukuntikas would like to come back to their roots/their country.

• Ahukuntikas as a race are in the last stages of extermination.

Click here to read. This link will be available only for the next 90 days.

Some of their images..

http://www.reddyonline.in/reddyonline_aboutus.html

Reddy Community Around the World: ReddyOnline is an organization for Reddy Community in Abroad and India to take pride in Reddy Community, Caste System, Culture by discussing issues relevant to our generation such as Reddy History, Reddy Success Stories, Technology, Reddy NRIs, Higher Studies, Job Opportunities, Voluntary Works, Help Desk around the world, Identity, Politics, Reddy Matrimonials, Career Guidance, love/dating/marriage, discrimination, Community service, as we inherit the mantle of Leadership from our parents.

Do they really take pride in Caste System and Caste Discrimination? Man oh man.