Gutti Koya Tribe

6th July, 2023 History

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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.

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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.