not needed the services of any outsider. They are unmindful of an external
society which is alien and unimportant to them. The life in the wild is
one of hardship, but the Chenchus live on cheerfully unmindful of their
difficulties. The boundaries of their native perception are defined by the
natural boundaries of their geography.
The roots are strong and the bonding to an age-old tradition is deep and
abiding. The Chenchus continue to live contently in their ancestral
homeland as true sons and daughters of the forest to celebrate the joys
and gains of life.
A Chenchu village is known as “Penta”. Each penta consists of few huts
that are spaced apart and are grouped together based on kinship pattern.
The close relatives live nearby and the distant ones farther away. Their
homes comprise of few belongings and are generally sparse and spartan in
appearance.
“Peddamanishi” or the village elder is generally the authority to
maintain social harmony in a family or a village. Generally, his counsel
and word are final in all matters of the village.
The Chenchus are a broad exogamous group that is sub-divided into various
clans. They follow the ancient system in Hindu tradition of gotras, which
represents the lineage and descent of clan members. There are 26 gotras
found among the Chenchus and the various clans are identified by their
gotra name. They never marry within the gotra or clan and intermarry other
clan members. The wife bears the husband’s gotra after marriage.
The marriage is known as “Pelli”, and takes place through a negotiated
arrangement involving elders or through the choice of the young couple
concerned. The ceremony is performed with traditional rituals in front of
the community and the village elders.
The elders belonging to the “Uttaluri” clan must be present as a matter of
traditional custom as the priest or “Kularaju” officiates over the
marriage rites. The maternal uncle of the bride gives the bride away, and
there is a feast and celebration at the end of the ceremony. The newly
married Chenchu couple set-up their own house and are expected to live
together ever-after. Divorce is allowed among the Chenchus on the grounds
of incompatibility. Widow remarriages are common among them.
The Chenchus have a strong belief system. They worship their deities with great devotion. Lord Eshwara among them is known as “Lingamayya”, and Shakti as “Maisamma” or “Peddamma”. The worship of both male and female deities is accompanied by puja during the month of “Sravan”, that is from July to August.
The ritual of Lord Lingamayya represents the ancient mode of worshipping
Lord Shiva. For ages, the Chenchus have been associated with the famous
Srisailam temple in Andhra Pradesh situated at the heart of Chenchu land.
The Srisailam temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Devi Brahmaramba is a
sacred pilgrim centre for Hindus of all sects.
Lord Mallikarjuna, an incarnation of Lord Shiva fell in love with a young
Chenchu maiden by name “Chenchu Laxmi” and married her. The Chenchus
believe that they are the descendents of this couple and have a special
place and mention in Puranas, temple records and Chronicles. The Chenchus
enjoy special privilages at Srisailam temple.
The Chenchus love their gods dearly and pray to them in earnest and
endearing terms. The devotion borders on frenzy and passion and is magical
in effect on the surroundings. The celebrations can be austere, serene and
simple and sometimes they can be wild, intoxicating and mystical. The rich
folklore of their forefathers inspires and guides them to maintain a solid
tradition. The dance, the gaiety, and the lyricism of their life reflects
the joy and innocence as they live a life of rich contentment, seeking and
aspiring for very little.
---------