The Chenchus of Penukumadugu have lived in the dense Nallamala forests for centuries; however, their inability to keep up with the relentless pace of modernisation has led to dwindling work opportunities under the MGNREGA.
About Chenchus:
The Chenchus are a Telugu-speaking food-gathering tribe living in the Nallamalai forests of Andhra Pradesh.
They are listed as Scheduled Tribe in Andhra Pradesh.
They are a conservative tribal group and have not made many changesin their lifestyle or tried to adapt to modernity.
They live in an enclosed space and geography, leading a life of an unbroken continuity.
The Chenchu live life with exemplary simplicity. Most of them still gather food from the forest and roam in it to find things to meet their needs.
The bow and arrow and a small knife are all the Chenchus possess to hunt and live.
The Chenchus collect forest products like roots, fruits, tubers, beedi leaf, mohua flower, honey, gum, tamarind and green leaves and make a meagre income from it by selling these to traders and government cooperatives.
A Chenchu village is known as “Penta”.
Each penta consists of a few huts that are spaced apart and are grouped together based on kinship pattern.
"Peddamanishi", or the village elder, is generally the authority to maintain social harmony in a family or a village.
Generally, his counsel and word are final in all matters of the village.
Small conjugal families predominate, with women taking equal rank with men and marrying only upon maturity.
Chenchus worship a number of deities. Chenchus have also adopted certain religious practices from Hindus.
For ages, the Chenchus have been associated with the famous Srisailam temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva and Devi Brahmaramba) in Andhra Pradesh, situated at the heart of Chenchu land.
The Chenchus enjoy special privileges at Srisailam temple.
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