Konda Reddy(A.P & TELANGANA)

GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Konda (Hill) Reddis are recognized as a primitive tribe of Andhra Pradesh. They are disbursed over a large part of Eastern Ghats and their habitat extends from Sileru River in the north to the Sabari River in the west and plains of coastal Andhra in the East. There as settlements of Konda Reddis in the districts of Khammam, East and West Godavari Districts. The Konda Reddi hamlets are wholly inaccessible and out of contact with the rest of the world. They live in hill settlements, quite a few of which are even today inaccessible by road. Because of living in isolation and also situated on hill tracts they have largely remained food-gatherers and shifting cultivators. Konda Reddis speak telugu as their mother tongue in the same dialect and accent as the non tribal of the East Godavari District.

LIVING CONDITIONS

The population as per 2011 census is 1,32,569. The total literacy rate among Konda Reddi is 21% and the female literacy rate is 11%. They eat a variety of tubers, roots, leaves, wild fruits etc. They collect and sell in the market like tamarind, adda leaves, myrobolan, broom sticks etc. Jowar and Corn are cultivated on the hill slopes. It is their staple food. They also grow chodi, red gram, bajra, beans, paddy and pulses. This type of tillage, in which the axe and not the plough is the primary instrument, is in Andhra Pradesh known as podu, but there are important differences among the various forms of shifting cultivation. They also hunt with bow and arrow, and those living on the banks of the Godavari add to their food supply by fishing, often from dug-out canoes.

FAMILY & MARRIAGE

The Konda Reddi family is patriarchal and patrilocal. Monogamy is a rule but polygamous families are also found. Marriage by negotiations, by love and elopement, by service, by capture and by exchange are socially accepted ways of acruiring mates. Levirate is in vogue. They worship muthayalamma (Village Deiy), Bhudevi (Earth Goddess), Gangamma Devi (River Goddess) etc., and celebrate festivals like Mamidi Kotha, Bhudevi Panduga, Gangamma Panduga and Vana Devudu Panduga. The men and women folk jointly perform dance on festive and marriage occasions.

HEALTH PROBLEMS

Malaria, Typhoid, Skin Diseases, diarrhea, Pneumonia, T.B, Anemia, HIV-AIDS, Eye Problems, General Weakness (Less B. Complex) are common in the villages.

NEEDS OF THE KONDA REDDI PEOPLE GROUP

  • Education for Children
  • Evangelism and Discipleship
  • Financial support for sustainability
  • Cloths for Children and Women
  • Food to eat
  • Economical Sustainability activities
  • Free Medical support
  • Income Generating Activities
  • Love & Affection
  • Blankets & Mosquito Nets

To Reach this people group we need $10,000 per year.