Konda Reddis Explained

The Konda Reddis or Hill Reddis are a designated Scheduled Tribe in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states of Odisha, Tamil Nadu.^[1]

They are entirely unrelated to the Hindu caste also known by the name Reddy.^[2] They live predominantly in the Khammam district, with a smaller number in the Alluri Sitharama Raju and Eluru districts.^[3] Konda Reddis are not listed as tribals in the state of Odissa despite the community demand. The Konda Reddis normally speak in Telugu with outsiders.^[4] The 1991 Census of India counted 432 Hill Reddis..

Religion

The Konda Reddis traditional religion does not have the concept of a spirit being inside man.^[5] However the Reddis worship dead ancestors, the hills, local gods and have accepted Hindu gods.

Further reading

• Godavari District Gazetteer, p. 66-67.
• https://web.archive.org/web/20081016044305/http://www.aptribes.gov.in/html/tcr-studies-eci-hill-reddis.htm

Notes and References

1. Web site: List of notified Scheduled Tribes . 21–22 . Census India . 15 December 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131107225208/http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/ST%20Lists.pdf . 7 November 2013 .
2. Web site: Tribes of India. publishing.cdlib.org. en. 2018-05-25.
3. https://www.webindia123.com/andhra/ART/mango.htm The Mango Dance of the Konda Reddis
4. News: Konda Reddy community demands ST status. The Hindu. 7 December 2017.
5. Web site: Adherents.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20031010011157/http://adherents.com/Na/Na_305.html. usurped. 10 October 2003. www.adherents.com. 2018-05-25.