Nayaka people
The Nayaka are an egalitarian foraging people in South India.
Culture
"The communnity is egalitarian," reports Nurit Bird-David.[1]
A couple who sleeps together and shares foraging duties and domestic chores eventually becomes recognized as married, without a marriage ceremony. A married couple and their children live together, although sometimes newly weds temporarily live with the bride's family.[2]
Economy
The Nayaka diet is mainly based on foraged yams, nuts, honey, and fish, along with purchased or bartererd rice. Hunting is rare, but game include deer, lizards and pigs.[3]
Environment
The Nayaka cosmovision is traditionally animistic and reveres the naturalistic devaru (spirits) and ancestors that inhabit the forest. The religion has also incorporated minor deities of Hindu neighbors.[4]
