ABSTRACT

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, Boyas, Reddikas, Korachas, Yanadis, Yerukulas, and so on are categorized under nomadic, denotified and ex-‘criminal’ tribes in Andhra Pradesh. Members of Waddars were nomadic but majority of them have settled in different parts of the country, especially in Kurnool, Guntur, Krishna, Banaganpally, Chittoor, Cuddapah and Nellore regions of Andhra Pradesh. In the manual of the North Arcot district, these Waddars were summed up as natives of the country, quarrying stone, sinking wells, constructing tank bunds and executing other kinds of earth work more rapidly than any other class. Temples that Waddars generally visit are Venkateswara of Tirupati, Penchala Narasimha Swami Temple of Penchalakona, Malakonda Swami Temple of Pamuru, Veera Brahma Matham of Cuddapah, Mallamkonda Swami Temple, and Peddamma Temple of Nellore.