Porja, Bagata, and Konda Dora Tribes

Context and Introduction

The situation of tribal communities in Andhra Pradesh has recently drawn significant attention. These communities, including the Porja, Bagata, and Konda Dora tribes, played a vital role in the construction of the Lower Sileru Hydro-Electric Project (LSP) in the 1970s.

Despite their crucial contributions, villages near Visakhapatnam, where these tribes reside, continue to suffer from severe shortages of basic amenities like electricity and clean water.

The Porja Tribe

The Porja tribe, with sub-groups such as Bondo Porja, Khondi Porja, and Parangi Porja, primarily resides in the Visakhapatnam area of Andhra Pradesh.

Historically, the Porjas were employed as palanquin bearers and for other menial tasks. The term ‘Porja’ is derived from Oriya words meaning “son of a king,” reflecting their historical employment by the Jeypore rulers.

They inhabit hilly terrains and practice shifting cultivation, which is locally known as Podu.

Porja Social Structure and Customs

The Porjas follow a patriarchal system with patrilineal descent. Property inheritance and succession to hereditary offices adhere to this system, with the eldest son receiving an extra share.

• Marriage Practices: They practice cross-cousin marriages.
• Bride Price: A formal bride price system is in place.
• Pre/Post-Marital Relations: Acceptance of pre and post-marital relations.
• Tattooing: An integral part of their socio-religious culture.

The Porjas have endogamous sub-groups, each possessing unique customs, languages, and food habits. Most Porjas in Visakhapatnam belong to the Barang Jati group.

The Bagata Tribe

The Bagata are an aboriginal tribe predominantly found in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. They are also known by various names such as Bagatha, Bagat, Bagodi, Bogad, or Bhakta.

Bagata Social and Cultural Practices

Their marriage patterns strictly adhere to lineage exogamy, meaning marriage outside one’s own clan or kinship group. Marriages can be arranged through negotiation or elopement.

The Bagathas hold strong beliefs in supernaturalism, magic, witchcraft, the evil eye, sorcery, luck, ghosts, and shapeless phantoms. They also practice nature worship, often in the form of totems and clans.

Traditional governance involves a tribal headman who resolves intra-family and inter-tribal disputes. A village headman addresses broader inter-tribal issues and violations of traditional customs.

The Konda Dora Tribe

The Konda Dora are a Scheduled Tribe primarily inhabiting the Kamberu range of the Eastern Ghats, spanning across south Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

Their original language, Kubi/Konda, has largely been supplanted by Telugu, often mixed with Odia.

Konda Dora Settlements and Social Structure

Konda Dora settlements are typically homogeneous. In multi-ethnic villages, they reside in separate wards to maintain social distance and preserve their ethnic identity.

• Marriage Practices: While polygyny and child marriages are not prohibited, adult marriage and monogamy are the commonly practiced norms.
• Cousin Marriages: Cross-cousin marriages are preferred, whereas parallel-cousin marriages are strictly prohibited.

They operate a traditional village council known as the Kulam Panchayat, headed by a Kula Peda, who is assisted by a Pillalipandam. An inter-village community council also exists, with both councils managing customary affairs within their respective jurisdictions.