Context:
Special Enforcement Bureau raids on Mahua liquor in Andhra Pradesh have targeted Koya tribe, threatening their traditional practices.
Koya Tribe:
- A tribe of hunter-gatherers, pastoralists and shifting cultivators.
- Areas – Papikonda hill range (Eastern Ghats) in Andhra Pradesh
- Other States – Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
- Occupation –
- Traditionally, they are pastoralists and shifting cultivators, but moving to settled cultivation.
- Major crops – Paddy, maize, mandia (millet) and tobacco leaf.
- Mahua – Considered sacred by them and its flowers are used for brewing liquor.
- Language – Koya language, which belongs to Dravidian family of languages.
- Religious festivals – Bijja Pandu, Kodta Pandu, Bimud Pandu
- Pendul – Commonly practiced form of marriage among Koya tribe.
- Permakore – A traditional flute of Koya tribes.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) Martial arts in North-East India
(b) Musical tradition in North-West India
(c) Classical vocal music in South India
(d) Pietra dura tradition in Central India
Answer: (b)
