ILLUSTRIOUS LIFESTYLE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BHAGATA’S LIVING IN ANDHRA PRADESH

Bhagata is one of the ancient tribes living in Andhra country right from immemorable times.They are the lovers of peace. They engage in different professions like agriculture, tool making, and correction of forest products including honey. They have different marriages such as marriage by negotiation, marriage by capture, marriage by elopement and marriage by love. Widow marriages are common but only with the consent of the widow. The relatives of the deceased like elder brother or younger brother used to marry widow. The Bagatas living South of Paderu area possess surnames or septs and these septs regulate the matrimonial alliances. The common septs or surnames are Killo, Kottagulli, Desagiri, Pangi, Tammarabu, Lake, Tangula, Matyaracha, Mattam, Kuntur, Kimudu, Gollori, Majji, Solabam, Gangapujari, Durgapujari, Robba, Tummala, Pujari, Kontili, Sagina, Kankipati, Lota, Madagada, Bakuru, Minumuluru etc. Some of the surnames indicate totemic clans such as Killo (Tiger), Korra (Son), Gallori (Monkey), Kimudu (Bear), Matsya (Fish), Chelli (Goat) etc, and they speak Adivasi Oriya. Bagata society is predominantly the patriarchal. Head of the family is a man who exercises his authority over his family. They used to celebrate the festivals such as Chaitra festival and Bali Devatha festival.