Thoti Tribe

UPSC Reference: Art and Culture

Key Facts

  • Primarily associated with northern Telangana.

  • Classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).

  • Historically associated with:

    • Village messenger roles

    • Ballad singing

    • Oral storytelling

    • Folk traditions

  • Traditional storytelling includes episodes from the Mahabharata.

  • Traditional instruments include:

    • Kingri

    • Burra

    • Maddela

Cultural Features

  • Traditional language: Gonti.

  • Traditional religious practices include worship of community and village deities.

  • The community has faced concerns relating to population decline and socio-economic vulnerability.

Key Pointer

Thoti → Telangana → PVTG → Gonti → Folk storytellers