The tradition of the Yanadis as to their origin is very vague. Some call themselves the original inhabitants of the wilds in the neighbourhood of the Pulicat lake, where they hunted and fished at will, until they were enslaved by the Reddis. Others say that the Reddi (or Manchi?) Yanadis were originally Chenchus, a small but superior class, and that they fled from oppression and violence from the mountains in the west, and amalgamated themselves with the common Yanadis. The common deity of both Chenchus and Manchi Yanadis is Chenchu Devudu. Between the Yanadi and the Chenchu, however, there is no love lost. They can be seen living close together, but not intermingling, on the Nallamalais, and they differ in their social customs. Yanadi Chenchu is said to be the name given by Brahmans to the Chenchus. [156] The following legend concerning the Yanadis is narrated by Mackenzie. [157] "Of old, one named Raghava brought with him sixty families from Pacanatti district, locating himself with them at Sriharicotta, and, clearing the country, formed Raghavapuram. The people by degrees spread through a few adjoining districts. A rishi, who came from Benares, and was named Ambikesvarer, resided in Mad'hyaranya (or the central wilderness), and there, daily bathing in a river, paid homage to Siva. These wild people of their own accord daily brought him fruits and edibles, putting them before him. At length he inquired of them the reason. They replied that their country was infested by a terrible serpent, and they wished to be taught charms to destroy it, as well as charms for other needful purposes. He taught them, and then vanished away." It is an advantage for a European to have a Yanadi as a camp servant, as he can draw water from any caste well. The Yanadi can also wash, and carry water for Brahmans. The animistic nature of their religion; the production of fire by friction; the primitive hunting and fishing stage in which a number remain; the almost raw animal food which they eat, after merely scorching or heating the flesh of the game they kill, indicate that the Yanadis have not yet emerged from a primitive stage of culture. They make fire by friction with sticks from the following trees:-- Protium caudatum (konda ragi). Bauhinia racemosa (aree chettu). Ficus. sp. (kallu jeevee chettu). Ptereospermum suberifolium (tada). A tree belonging to the Nat. Order Laurineæ. Cordia monoica (female tree). Two sticks are prepared, one short, the other long. In the former a square cavity is scooped out, and it is held firmly on the ground, while the long stick is twisted rapidly to and fro in the cavity. No charcoal powder is used, but a rag, or even dried leaves are set fire to.