SOCIOECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF THE PORJA - A PRIMITIVE TRIBE OF VISAKHAPATNAM DISTRICT (ANDHRA-PRADESH)

The Porja Tribe is predominantly found in Visakhapatnam District in the border villages adjoining Orissa State. The ethnographic data on this community living in Andhra Pradesh is scanty. An attempt is made, in this paper, to clarify the etymological significance of the nomenclature of the tribe, various subdivisions, clan structure and other socio-cultural aspects. Data on sample basis about their economic conditions, their attitude towards shifting cultivation is also analysed. An attempt is also made to probe into the extent of illiteracy and low literacy levels among males and females of this group. This basic data, it is considered, would be valuable for planners of tribal development as this group is recognized as Primitive Tribal Group by Government of India for taking up exclusive developmental activities.