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]
Total population | |
---|---|
519,337 (2011 census) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Andhra Pradesh (Majority), Tamil Nadu, Telangana | |
Languages | |
Yerukala | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Soliga, Tamil, Irula |