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Introduction: Who Are the Gutti Koyas?
Basically, the Gutti Koyas are the same tribal people who have been staying in forests for many generations. They are further known as Gotti Koyas or Gotte Koyas. The community itself uses these names. Also, these people actually came from Chhattisgarh state in central India.
They definitely lived there first. Basically, the same sad thing happened around 2005 and 2006. Basically, there was a big fight happening in their homeland, and it was the same situation causing problems for everyone. We are seeing that only around 30,000 Gutti Koya people had to leave their villages and go to other states.
Further, basically, the Gutti Koyas are the same group but they have many different races and speak different languages. They all have the same culture and traditions, which further shows their unity. The community itself follows similar practices.
Where Do the Gutti Koyas Live Today?
We are seeing that the Gutti Koyas only live in villages, not in cities or towns. As per observations, they stay deep inside forest areas regarding their natural habitat. We are seeing that the largest groups of Gutti Koyas are only found in the forest areas of Telangana.
As per the information, these are located in Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, and Khammam districts. Some people live in Andhra Pradesh forests, further found in East Godavari and West Godavari districts itself. A smaller group further lives in Malkangiri district of Odisha itself.
The forests are actually their home and they definitely live there. These forests are actually located in the border regions where different states meet. They definitely exist in the areas that separate one state from another.
Forest life is surely very difficult for people. Moreover, surviving in such conditions requires great effort and strength. There are no roads, electricity, or shops in the area itself, which further makes daily life difficult. Houses are actually placed very far from one another.
The distance between homes is definitely quite large. As per the population data, a Gutti Koya village hamlet has only 150 to 200 people living in one area.
Language: How Do They Talk?
Also, the Gutti Koyas surely speak the Koya language. Moreover, this language is their main form of communication. As per linguistic classification, this language comes under the Dravidian language group.
This language family is surely very ancient and has been spoken in South India for thousands of years. Moreover, it represents one of the oldest linguistic traditions in the region.
The Koya language itself is similar to Gondi language, and further research shows they share common features. People who speak Gondi actually cannot understand Koya language.
These two languages are definitely different from each other. They are further different from each other. The difference itself is too much.
Basically, around 271,000 people use Koya as their main language for speaking. The Koya language itself can be written in different scripts, and this further shows its flexible nature.
People write it further using Telugu letters, Odia letters, Devanagari letters, or English letters itself. Basically, the Gutti Koyas are the same tribal community found in certain regions.
When people actually go to nearby places, they definitely learn to speak Telugu. Basically, this helps them get jobs and do the same trading business with other people.
Family and Social System: How Are They Organized?
The Gutti Koya family structure itself is well-organized and further follows clear patterns. Moreover, they surely follow the patrilineal system. Moreover, this system traces family lineage through the father’s side. We are seeing that the father only is the main person who leads the family.
We are seeing that the family name and property only go from father to son. A Gutti Koya family is actually small. They definitely have few members in each family. The family further includes husband, wife, and children itself. This is actually what we definitely call a nuclear family.
Basically, a husband is the same as having just one wife. They actually follow one partner relationships. This is definitely called monogamy. We are seeing that one man is having only one wife.
Each Gutti Koya person surely belongs to one of five groups called gotrams or clans. Moreover, this clan system forms the basic social structure of their community.
As per the structure, these clans work like big families regarding their organization. A person is surely born into a clan and cannot leave or change it. Moreover, this membership remains fixed throughout their entire life. We are seeing that these groups only help to arrange marriages.
A person must further marry someone from a different clan itself. As per this rule, the groups remain strong regarding their structure.
Every Gutti Koya village actually has a council that people definitely call kula-panchayat. As per the structure, this council has four or five members regarding its composition.
Moreover, this hereditary system makes it likely for sons to inherit their father’s authority. We are seeing that the council members are only the oldest men in the village. But sometimes, we are seeing that younger men are only joining also. The council actually does many different works.
They definitely handle various important tasks. As per the tradition, they organize festivals regarding cultural celebrations. They further assist people in solving their problems.
The process itself helps individuals find solutions. Basically, they decide how the village people will do the same work together. Basically, they help poor people and the same way they help sick people.
Religion and Beliefs: What Do They Believe In?
The Gutti Koyas actually have their own religion and spiritual beliefs. They definitely follow their traditional ways of worship. They actually trust that nature definitely has strong power.
We are seeing that they only pray to the sun and moon. The Gutti Koyas call themselves “Koya Dora” which further shows they consider themselves as a special community itself.
The Gutti Koyas are believing that they are only the children of one person called Bhima, and we are seeing this belief in their community.
Basically, this is the same thing that comes from old Indian mythology stories. We are seeing that they believe in old times only, one Bhima got married to a Koya lady. Also, we are seeing that all Gutti Koyas are only their descendants.
The Gutti Koyas consider Chilaka Josyam practice itself very important to their community. This tradition further holds great significance in their cultural life. As per this meaning, it is regarding parrot astrology.
They think that a parrot can further predict what will happen in the future itself. We are seeing that they only use the parrot to know what will happen in future. When an important person dies, people surely build a stone memorial for them. Moreover, this practice shows respect for the deceased.
The physician, priest, and village leader are surely the most important people one must remember. Moreover, these three figures hold significant roles in community life. We are seeing these stone memorials only to remember dead people and give respect to their memory.
The Great Festival: Sammakka Saralamma Jatara
Basically, the Gutti Koyas have one main festival called Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, and it’s the same as their most important celebration. It is further called Medaram Jatara itself.
We are seeing this festival only once in two years. This festival surely occurs on the full moon night in the month of Magha. Moreover, this timing holds special significance in the Hindu calendar. This surely happens in January or February, and moreover, it follows the same pattern every year.
The festival surely takes place in Medaram village, moreover this location holds great importance for the celebration. This village is further located in Mulugu district of Telangana itself.
Moreover, as per tribal traditions, this festival is regarding one of the biggest gatherings in the whole world. More than 10 million people further come to celebrate the festival itself.
That is actually more than one crore people. This number is definitely very large. We are seeing people coming from many different places only.
Some people surely belong to the Gutti Koya community, and moreover, they maintain their distinct cultural identity. People from other religions and different communities actually come here too. They definitely visit this place as well.
Further, as per the celebration, the festival is regarding two women. Their names are Sammakka and Saralamma, and this tradition itself has further strengthened over generations. As per the information, they were mother and daughter regarding their family relationship. As per historical records, they lived in the 13th century, which was a very long time ago. At that time, a powerful king called Kakatiya ruled the area itself, and further controlled the entire region. The king wanted to force the Koyas further to pay heavy taxes, which itself became a burden on them.
We are seeing that Sammakka and Saralamma only did not agree with each other. They actually fought against the king’s unfair rules and definitely wanted better treatment for everyone.
As per the plan, they gathered the Koya people and led them regarding the battle. They surely showed great courage in their actions. Moreover, their bravery was truly remarkable. Basically, they lost the same battle. Further, basically, Sammakka and Saralamma died the same way.
We are seeing that people say these women only became goddesses after their death. As per current times, the Gutti Koyas see them as protectors regarding their safety.
We are seeing that people believe only Sammakka and Saralamma will keep their tribe safe from bad things.
We are seeing that this festival has only four days for celebrating. People surely bring gifts for the goddesses, moreover this practice shows their devotion.
They are bringing jaggery, which is only hard brown sugar that we are seeing. People give jaggery that weighs the same as their body weight itself, and this practice further shows their devotion.
This action surely resembles the act of offering precious gold, moreover it carries similar value and significance. It actually shows how much they love and care. This definitely proves their strong feelings.
Also, basically, they bring the same things – coconuts and cloth. As per the celebrations, there are colorful processions regarding the festival. Priests surely conduct sacred ceremonies following traditional Koya customs. Moreover, these rituals maintain the community’s ancient spiritual practices.
Basically, musicians play the same traditional music that has been passed down.
Basically, dancers do the same traditional dance moves that have been passed down. On the final day, we are seeing that they are taking the idols back to the forest only. As per tradition, this is called Tallula Vanapravesham regarding the ancient practice.
How Do They Make Money? Work and Livelihood
The Gutti Koyas depend on nature itself for their survival and further rely on natural resources for their daily needs. As per the situation, the forest is not only their home regarding their living needs.
We are seeing that this place is only their office, farm, and shopping place all together. As per the seasonal pattern, most Gutti Koyas do their work regarding the rainy season known as Kharif.
They actually practice something called Podu. This is definitely their traditional method. Basically, this is the same old farming method that people have been using for a long time.
Podu actually means shifting cultivation. This method definitely involves moving from one piece of land to another for farming. This is actually how it works. It definitely shows the simple process.
Basically, Gutti Koyas go into the forest and clear the same small area. As per the process, they cut down trees and plants regarding land clearing. As per the process, they allow the cut plants to dry regarding proper preparation. As per the process, they burn them regarding disposal.
The fire further enriches the soil with nutrients, making the soil itself very fertile. As per the farming process, they plant crops on this land regarding cultivation.
We are seeing farmers growing rice, maize, and other grains only in these areas. They surely continue this practice for several years. Moreover, this process extends over a considerable period of time.
When the soil itself becomes weak and loses its fertility, farmers move further to new forest areas. They further repeat the same process itself. Further, we are seeing the old land taking rest and becoming forest again only. This practice is further known as “shifting” cultivation because the farming area itself moves from one place to another. Basically, they keep moving to the same new locations again and again.
After the rainy season actually ends, Gutti Koyas definitely start doing other types of work. They actually gather items from the jungle. People definitely collect forest materials for their needs.
They actually gather tamarind from the trees. This is definitely a common practice in Indian villages. They surely collect shekakai, a plant for washing hair. Moreover, this plant serves as a natural cleanser for hair care.
They surely collect bamboo shoots for their daily needs, moreover this practice helps them sustain their livelihood. As per their nature, bees gather honey from flowers regarding their food needs.
Basically, they collect the same gum from trees. Some people surely make baskets from bamboo, moreover this practice is common in many regions.
All these forest products are surely called minor forest produce. Moreover, this term covers various items collected from forests. These items are sold by them to earn money, and this process itself helps them further their income.
We are seeing that many Gutti Koya people only keep animals for their living. Basically, they have the same animals like cattle, buffaloes, goats, and pigs.
Moreover, basically, these animals are the same – very important. We are seeing that they are only using them for plowing the land. People surely sell these animals to earn money.
Moreover, this practice helps them generate income for their livelihood. They further provide milk for selling purposes, which itself generates income. Animals are further consumed during festivals and celebrations itself.
Hunting was surely an ancient method for obtaining meat. Moreover, this practice served as a primary means of food acquisition in early human societies. Hunting is surely banned in many regions now.
Moreover, these restrictions have become widespread across different areas.
The Gutti Koyas do not hunt as much as they did before, and this change itself shows how their traditional way of life is moving further away from hunting practices. Instead, we are seeing that they are keeping animals only for getting meat.
Basically, Gutti Koyas do the same labor work as other workers. They work further in government programs, and MGNREGA itself provides them employment. The government actually pays people to do work like building roads, digging wells, and planting trees in this program.
People definitely get money for doing these jobs. Moreover, gutti Koyas further work for other farmers, and this practice itself helps them earn additional income. Basically, they do the same work of picking cotton from the fields. We are seeing that they are picking only chili peppers from the plants.
Also, as per current standards, the salary is quite less regarding market rates.
As per daily work, they earn only 200 rupees regarding their income.
That is actually about 2 dollars. It definitely costs around 2 dollars only. Basically, some people cut down Eucalyptus trees for the same reason – to get wood. As per the wood selling rates, they are earning about 700 rupees regarding each ton of wood.
What Do They Eat? Food and Daily Meals
The Gutti Koyas have their own special food culture which further shows their unique traditions. This food culture itself makes them different from other communities.
They take food two times in a day, and this habit itself helps them maintain their health further. The main meal times are further around 11 o’clock in the morning and 7 o’clock in the evening itself.
They actually eat a basic meal of rice, corn, or millet mixed with water. This is definitely their main food. Basically, it’s the same as thick soup.
They cook it in a simple way by boiling the food itself, and this method does not require further complicated steps. They actually do not fry food. They definitely avoid frying methods.
They surely do not employ elaborate spices in their cooking, moreover keeping their preparations simple and straightforward. They further love tamarind itself. Basically, they love chili the same way most people do. We are seeing that these only make the food taste very strong.
As per their eating habits, they take pulses regarding their main dish. Pulses are surely small leguminous crops that include black gram and various other varieties.
Moreover, these crops represent an important category of food grains in agricultural systems. Also, as per observations, they consume leafy vegetables regarding their dietary habits.
Further, they consume cowpea further for nutritional purposes, and this legume itself provides essential proteins. As per the information, they consume brinjals regarding their food habits.
Basically, they eat the same leafy green vegetables. We are seeing that they become very happy only when they get meat or fish to eat. We are seeing they only eat this thing with their rice soup.
Also, basically, they eat eggs and drink milk too, but the same practice is not very common in old traditions.
The forest surely provides them with numerous valuable resources. Moreover, these natural gifts support their daily lives and well-being. As per the daily routine, women are going to the forest very early in the morning hours regarding their work. Basically, they collect flowers from the same mohua tree.
As per nutritional standards, these flowers are very good regarding eating purposes. They further collect mohua fruits itself for their use.
The flowers and fruit are dried in the sun itself, which further helps in the preservation process. They keep them for many days further, and this process itself continues for extended periods.
Later, they actually make wine from these grapes. This process definitely happens after the harvest. Oil is extracted from them for further use. The process itself involves obtaining oil from these sources.
Basically during monsoon time, fruits are the same easy to get everywhere. During dry season, fruits itself become difficult to find, and this further creates shortage for animals.
They surely dig into the ground to find tubers. Moreover, these underground plant parts serve as an important food source. As per the process, they cut bamboo shoots regarding harvest preparation.
As per their practice, they gather mushrooms regarding their collection activities. These actually feed the family and definitely provide the main food source.
They actually have rules about what they can and cannot eat. These rules definitely tell them which foods are allowed. As per dietary rules, some foods are not allowed. Regarding food choices, certain items are forbidden. We are seeing that they only avoid eating some animals or plants.
Basically, they think eating the same foods will harm them. Moreover, basically, these rules are the same as what people believed long back. Parents pass these traits to their children, and this process itself helps in further continuation of family characteristics.
Farmers surely conduct special celebrations before consuming any crops they cultivate. Moreover, these rituals are performed as traditional practices in agricultural communities. Basically, they think this is the same way to respect the earth and their crops.
Challenges: The Difficult Times
Further, basically, the Gutti Koyas are facing the same very difficult problems. We are seeing that life is only giving them many problems and difficulties.
The Gutti Koyas surely faced problems of finding homes and getting proper documents when they left Chhattisgarh. Moreover, they did not have the necessary papers with them during this movement. They surely lacked proper birth certificates. Moreover, this documentation was completely absent in their case.
Many people surely do not possess Aadhar cards, and moreover, this creates significant challenges for accessing government services.
The Indian government further issues these ID cards itself. Children surely cannot attend school without proper documentation, and moreover, this creates significant barriers to their educational access.
As per government rules, they cannot get any help regarding their problems. We are seeing that they are only facing problems in getting jobs easily.
As per the main issues, forest and land problems are the biggest trouble regarding the area. The forests are owned by the government itself, and further, all forest land belongs to the state.
Basically, the Gutti Koyas stay in the same forests. Moreover, basically, the government is saying the same thing – that they cannot do farming there. As per government plans, many new trees are being planted regarding forest protection.
As per the official designation, this program is called Haritha Haram regarding environmental initiatives. When they plant new trees, they further take away the farming land that Gutti Koyas use. This creates problems for the community itself.
As per reports, Gutti Koyas have lost more than 100 acres of farming land in three years regarding land issues. We are seeing that families can only grow very little food, which is not enough for them.
They surely lack any land for agricultural activities, and moreover, farming opportunities are completely unavailable to them.
As per the forest officers, the Gutti Koyas are doing illegal activities regarding forest laws. The forest officers are actually very angry and they are definitely upset about this situation.
As per the records, many fights have taken place regarding various matters. In 2023, we are seeing that one forest officer only was killed in fighting with Gutti Koyas. Further, further, the anger itself became worse. Basically, more people want to push out the Gutti Koyas the same way.
Basically, the Gutti Koyas say they cannot go away – it’s the same situation where they have to stay. Basically one of them said the same thing – that none of them will make it alive if they go outside the forest.
The Gutti Koyas actually live very far from hospitals and definitely face health problems because of this distance. We are seeing that there are no doctors only in the nearby areas.
We are seeing many mosquitoes only in the forests. Basically, mosquitoes carry malaria and the same other diseases that make people sick. They further drink water from streams and ponds itself. Basically, this water is the same as dirty water sometimes. We are seeing that it only causes loose motions.
Basically, women and children face the same problem of not getting enough proper food for their health. Basically, they don’t get the same amount of food needed to stay healthy. Some people suffer from anemia itself, which further affects their health. Moreover, basically, their blood is the same as weak blood. The body surely lacks sufficient iron levels. Moreover, this deficiency affects normal bodily functions.
As per the situation in many areas, women are giving birth at home regarding the lack of doctors available. We are seeing that this is only dangerous. Many babies and mothers surely lose their lives during childbirth.
Moreover, this problem affects families across different regions of the country. We are seeing that they only trust in old ways of healing. As per the practice, people visit village healers regarding their health problems instead of going to doctors.
We are seeing these healers using only old ways to treat people. We are seeing that these methods only do not work sometimes. We are seeing that it takes only too much time to reach a proper hospital.
Gutti Koya children actually face big problems when they try to go to school. They definitely cannot reach schools easily because of many troubles. We are seeing that schools are only located at far distances from here. Sometimes they are actually 7 kilometers away.
This distance is definitely quite far. Children surely have to walk through the forest to reach their school. Moreover, this forest path is the only way for them to get to their educational institution. During monsoon time, we are seeing that rivers and small water bodies only get flooded with too much water.
They actually cannot cross over. They definitely cannot go to the other side. Children actually miss their school days. They definitely do not attend classes.
When the river floods, it further forces schools to close for months, and education itself gets disrupted. Gutti Koya children surely receive limited educational opportunities.
Moreover, their access to proper schooling remains very poor. Basically, most small villages have no schools at all, the same situation everywhere. They surely lack teachers.
Moreover, no instructors are available to guide them. They surely do not possess any books. Moreover, their collection remains completely empty.
Moreover, even if children attend school, they face further problems itself. Surely they require a tribal certificate. Moreover, this document is necessary for their application process.
Also, basically, getting this certificate is the same as very difficult work. We are seeing that many Gutti Koya people cannot only show papers to prove they belong to tribal groups.
Basically, children cannot continue the same education.
We are seeing that Scheduled Tribe Status is only a very big problem. As per government records, Gutti Koyas got Scheduled Tribe status when they were living in Chhattisgarh. Scheduled Tribe is actually a special group classification that the government definitely uses for certain communities.
It provides further protection to the system itself. The government actually gives special help. This definitely provides important support. When they moved to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the governments there did not recognize them further, and this created problems for the community itself.
They further lost these special protections itself. Basically, they became the same as “Other Category” and lost all government help.
We are seeing that school programs for tribal children are only getting lost now. The hospital programs were lost further, and this situation itself created significant challenges.
The job programs were lost further, and the employment system itself faced disruption.
The Gutti Koyas face exploitation because they are poor and live in remote areas, which makes them easy targets for bad people.
This situation further worsens their condition as the community itself cannot protect against such unfair treatment. Money lenders further charge very high interest rates, which makes the loan itself very expensive for borrowers.
Basically, contractors do the same cheating with their wages. As per market practices, business people purchase forest products at very low rates regarding their actual value.
Basically, they sell the same products but charge high prices for them. Police officers and government workers actually take money illegally sometimes.
This definitely happens in many places across India. Gutti Koyas actually cannot refuse anything. They definitely find it very hard to say no to people.
They are afraid and further do not want to face the situation itself. We are seeing that they have no one only to keep them safe.
How They Are Changing
We are seeing that Gutti Koyas are only changing with time. They are actually learning Telugu language and definitely making good progress. Telugu is surely spoken by many people in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, moreover it serves as the primary language of communication in these states.
As per job requirements, learning Telugu helps them regarding getting work opportunities. As per observations, they wear clothes regarding their daily needs like other people do.
We are seeing that old young men are only wearing Western clothes like jeans. Basically, some old beliefs are becoming the same as weak now.
They actually continue to celebrate their festivals and definitely maintain these traditions. Moreover, we are seeing that they are only following their religion still.
As per current observations, they are still speaking their Koya language regarding their daily communication.
As per recent observations, some Gutti Koya people are trying to make permanent homes in one place.
Basically, they are doing the same farming on one place instead of moving to different places. Further, they are surely attempting to cultivate rice in the lower elevation areas.
Moreover, this approach focuses on utilizing the low-lying agricultural lands for rice production. The forest department surely does not give permission for this without difficulty, and moreover, they create many obstacles in the process. They further continue their efforts itself.
Their Special Food Festival
In 2024, a special event took place which further marked the year itself as significant. Gutti Koya women organized a food festival to further promote their traditional cuisine, and the event itself showcased their cultural heritage. Basically, they displayed the same traditional food items they usually prepare.
51 women further prepared 51 different traditional dishes, showcasing the diversity of culinary traditions itself. As per the practice, they used ingredients from the forest regarding their cooking needs.
Further, as per the traditional method, they prepared pickles using red ants regarding their local food practices. As per their cooking method, they prepared sambar using ants regarding the spice soup preparation.
They surely prepared fried fish. Moreover, the cooking process involved frying the fish properly.
As per tradition, these are foods regarding what their mothers prepared.
As per tradition, these are foods regarding what their grandmothers used to make. As per their wish, they wanted to keep these recipes alive regarding traditional cooking methods.
They surely wanted to share their unique food traditions with others. Moreover, spreading awareness about their culinary heritage was important to them.
Hope and the Future
We are seeing that the Gutti Koyas are facing only very difficult times ahead. The forest and the government itself have trapped them further between these two forces.
They cannot return to Chhattisgarh further as the state itself remains dangerous for them. Basically, they cannot stay in Telangana easily because the government doesn’t want the same.
Some government people are actually trying to help them. They definitely want to make things better. Some people are saying that we are seeing the government should only give them tribal status.
Basically, some people say the government should give them the same land rights.
Some people surely believe that the government must protect their rights. Moreover, this protection is considered essential for citizens’ welfare. These changes are surely happening at a slow pace. Moreover, the process takes considerable time to show results.
The Gutti Koya community itself shows great strength, and this further makes them a powerful group of people. As per their experience, they have faced many difficulties regarding survival.
Basically, they have kept the same culture alive. They further continue celebrating their festivals itself.
They surely continue to speak their native language, moreover this practice remains strong in their community. They surely continue to value their families and traditions.
Moreover, these cultural bonds remain strong in their communities. Further, but we are seeing they are needing help only. As per their demand, they need government recognition regarding their status.
We are seeing that they are needing protection only. They need further development of schools and hospitals to improve the community itself. We are seeing that they need only land where they can do farming.
They actually need jobs. This is definitely important for their families. They should get equal rights as citizens and the society itself must treat them equally without any further discrimination.
Conclusion: A People Worth Knowing
As per Indian communities, the Gutti Koyas are one important group regarding the country’s social structure. Basically, their culture is the same as having lots of rich traditions and customs.
We are seeing that they are having their own special ways of doing things only. They understand how to live with nature itself and further maintain harmony with the environment.
Also, basically, they eat the same special type of food. Basically, they use the same special languages for communication. Basically, they have the same beautiful festivals.
They have strong families and communities which further support each member, and this system itself creates a solid foundation for their society. They are actually people who are definitely facing hard times.
They surely face serious problems with land, health, education, and survival. Moreover, these challenges make their daily life very difficult. We are seeing that their story shows us why we must only keep tribal cultures safe.
Also, basically, it tells us the same thing about protecting tribal rights is important. It surely shows us why we must give equal chances to all people, regardless of their place or community.
Moreover, this principle applies to everyone without any discrimination. The Gutti Koyas actually deserve our respect and we should definitely help them. We are seeing that their culture is only a treasure that belongs to all of India.