Colonial construction of a 'criminal' tribe - Yerukulas of Madras presidency

Authors
Radhakrishna, M
Citation
M. Radhakrishna, Colonial construction of a 'criminal' tribe - Yerukulas of Madras presidency, ECON POLIT, 35(28-29), 2000, pp. 2553-2563
Citations number
23
Categorie Soggetti
Politucal Science & public Administration
Journal title
ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL WEEKLY
ISSN journal
00129976 → ACNP
Volume
35
Issue
28-29
Year of publication
2000
Pages
2553 - 2563
Database
ISI
SICI code
0012-9976(20000715)35:28-29<2553:CCOA'T>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
Nomadic communities have been a target of the fears and suspicions of seden tary communities. The Yerukulas of Madras presidency were thus 'criminalise d' in the early 20th century. This gave the Salvation Army the job of 'refo rming' them, and incidentally provided cheap labour to a tobacco factory. T his project was so successful that today Yerukulas believe their ancestors to have been dangerous criminals.