The Gutti Koya tribe residing on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh has recently erected stone memorials in Ramchandrapuram Village, situated within the forest. These stone memorials hold great significance as they pay homage to the three most important dignitaries within their community: the physician, priest, and village leader. Through this act, the Gutti Koya tribe seeks to express their deep gratitude and appreciation for the services rendered by these individuals.
Following the passing of a community servant, the Gutti Koya tribe searches for a stone of a size corresponding to the deceased person. This stone is then carefully placed within the forest as a memorial in honor of the individual’s memory. As the memorial is established, the family of the deceased organizes a feast to commemorate their loved one. Additionally, items that were cherished by the deceased are placed beneath the stone memorial, serving as a symbolic connection to their presence.
The Gutti Koya tribe is an indigenous community found in the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. Their language, Koya, belongs to the Dravidian language family. One of their most significant festivals is the Sammakka Saralamma Jatra, which is celebrated once every two years on the full moon day of Magha Masam in Medaram Village, Warangal district. While the Gutti Koya tribe holds Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Chhattisgarh, they do not possess the same recognition in migratory states such as Telangana. Their livelihood revolves around animal husbandry and the utilization of minor forest produce. Notably, the positions of physician, priest, and village leader within their community are exclusively held by males. The Gutti Koya tribe practices the Podu form of shifting cultivation, a unique agricultural method within their cultural practices.