ABSTRACT
study of indigenous people and their knowledge systems, rites and rituals concerns us rather significantly because they constitute an integral part of human social environs. They are economically poor, devoid of formal education and oppressed in the society. But the indigenous people have a rich cultural life and knowledge patterns though they are characteristically governed by traditions. The tradition-bound cultural expressions of the nomadic and denotified tribes of Andhra Pradesh reveal various aspects of their life through generations. Dasaries, Dommara, Nakkalas, Waddars, Sugalis (Lambadis), Boyas, Reddikas, Korachas, Yanadis, Yerukulas, and so on are categorized under nomadic, denotified and ex-‘criminal’ tribes in Andhra Pradesh. They live in thandas (colonies or settlements) throughout the state. Taking the case of Waddars of Andhra Pradesh an attempt is made to understand myriad forms of their lifestyles and progression of social change among them.
