Reli people

Reli (also spelt as Relli) are an ethnic group, who reside in Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.[1][2]

Reli people
Regions with significant populations
Andhra Pradesh, Odisha
Languages
Reli language
Religion
Hinduism

Demographics

The Reli people are mainly distributed in coastal districts, such as Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Guntur, Nellore, Prakasam, Chittoor and Krishna of Andhra Pradesh, and the Koraput and Rayagada districts of Odisha.

According to the 2001 Census their population is 121,058 in Andhra Pradesh and 8,357 in Odisha respectively.

Occupation

The primary occupation of Relli people in Andhra Pradesh is the collection and sale of fruits, seeds and grass. A few are in government service while the Reli of Odisha trade in salt, rice, vegetables, goats, hens and pigs on a small scale. Agriculture is also pursued. They are listed as Scheduled Castes.

Language

Reli people speak Reli language as their mother tongue and it is very close to Odia, and may be a dialect of it. The Reli people speak Telugu when conversing with outsiders, and use the Telugu script.

The 2001 Census stated that there were 21,238 speakers of the Reli language in Andhra Pradesh, and 706 in Odisha. Further breakdown to the district level is as follows (2001 Census): Vizianagaram (AP) 7,893; Visakhapatnam (AP) 4,301; East Godavari (AP) 3,079; Krishna (AP) 3,085; Srikakulam (AP) 1,796; Guntur (AP) 597, Koraput (OR) 607; and Rayagada (OR) 97.

References
  1. "Reli". Ethnologue. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  2. Jammanna, Akepogu; Sudhakar, Pasala (14 December 2016). Dalits' Struggle for Social Justice in Andhra Pradesh (1956-2008): From Relays to Vacuum Tubes. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 222. ISBN 9781443844963.

Further reading
  • 2001 Census of India. Scheduled Caste http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/SCCRC_28.pdf (01- Feb-09)
  • Lewis, M. Paul (ed.), 2009. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Sixteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version:
  • People of India http://fttkorea.net/docu/ftt57aap.pdf (01-Feb-09)
  • Singh, K.S. 2003. People of India: Andhra Pradesh Vol13 Part 3. Delhi: Anthropological Survey of India and Affiliated east-west press pvt. ltd.
  • Singh, K.S. 1993. People of India National Series. Volume 2. The Scheduled Caste. Delhi: Anthropological Survey of India and Oxford University Survey of India.
  • Chenna Sanyasi Rao, Relli Charita, "రెల్లి చెరిత" (History of Rellis), Published by Dharma Trust, Visakhapatnam, 1999. Distributors: Visalandhra Publishing House, Hyderabad.
  • Chenna Sanyasi Rao, Vuravatala Suriedu, "ఊరవతల సూరీడు" ( "Sun on the other side of the village), Anthology of Poems. Published by, Progressive Writers Association, Visakhapatnam, 2000. Distributors: Visalandhra Publishing House, Hyderabad.
  • Mangalagiri Prasada Rao, "Dalitullo Dalitulu", "దళితుల్లో దళితులు" (the wretched among the wretched), Published by Sri Mangalagiri Siriyallu Mater Seva Trust, Visakhapatnam, 2012.
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