Yerukalas are found in the hills and plains of
Andhra Pradesh. They are traditional basket weavers. In addition to
Telugu, they speak a distinct language known as 'Sankara-Yerukala', a southern
Dravidian language related to
Tamil.
The community members are not nomadic in nature, but they wander from place to place to trade their goods. Most of them are agriculturists. Rice is the main crop cultivated in their farm. Besides, they engage in hunting and gathering of forest products.
These tribes are fond of Hinduism. They worship natural objects such as the sun, the moon and the fire, along with worshipping Lord Vishnu. The members are not permitted to enter Hindu temples; hence Yerukalas keep stones or mud idols under trees and give them offerings.
