Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Andhra Pradesh, ![]() | |
Languages | |
Yerukala, Telugu | |
Religion | |
Hinduism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Telugus, Tamils |
Yerukala or Erukala or Erukula is a tribal community primarily found in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. [1] The population of Yerukala tribes according to 2011 census is 519,337.[ citation needed ] The total literacy rate among Yerukula is 48.12%. Most live in southern Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, with a smaller minority in districts of Telangana. Their native language is Yerukala, but most have shifted to Telugu. They were vilified in British sources for being habitual criminals, [2] and so were placed under Criminal Tribes Act, although they were underrepresented in the population of criminals and were most likely targeted for their nomadic lifestyle. [3]