Author(s):

Dr. B Vijayasree and Dr. D Sarada

Abstract: The Indian constitution identifies the ethnic minority groups, traditionally referred to as tribes or tribal as Scheduled tribes (STs) who constitute around eight percent of the total population of the country. About 53 million people (8% of the population) of India belong to various tribes in about 400 tribal communities. These groups live in different ecological geo climatic conditions throughout India ranging from the Sub-Himalayas to the islands in the Bay of Bengal and in the Arabian Sea. They also differ in distinct biological traits and cultural and socioeconomic background. Due to cultural patterns which vary from tribe to tribe, they are all at different stages of social, cultural, and economic development. Constitutionally referred to as ‘scheduled tribes’, tribal communities are among the poorest social groups in the country. Yanadis are non-vegetarians and eat the meat of rabbit, fowl, goat; sheep fish etc, but abstain from eating beef. Yanadis mainly subsist on agricultural labour. They are traditionally inland fishermen and are also engaged as watchmen in the fields and orchards of farmers. Collection of firewood, rickshaw pulling, rodents catching etc., constitutes secondary occupation of the Yanadis. The aim of present study is to understand the profile of Yanadi tribes and their food eating patterns. Al most all the tribal population were illiterates or only primary educated. The family income does not exceed more than 5000 rupees per month. The main occupations of tribal population were agriculture labourers, Fishing & hunting, Watching orchards, Forest produce collection, Goats and sheep rearing, Agriculture, Private employed (Scavengers), Self-employed (Making bamboo products and selling) working in MNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme),Rat pickers in the fields and Maid Servants etc.

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