Most of the Jatapu Indians belong to the state Andhra Pradesh. The tribe has shaped its own living way through vernacular architecture, equating itself with nature. Their hamlets or villages comprise anywhere between 5 to 15 huts, either arranged either side by side or parallel rows, where each row consists of 8-15 independent portions topped by thatched roofs
In Jatapu houses are constituents of eco-friendly materials: the walls are from mud and burnt grass ash mixed with cow dung smeared to provide thermal insulation and durability. All these walls are found to be decorated by white geometric patterns as the artistic expression and cultural aesthetics of the tribe. Bamboo, palmyra culms, and timber are the main structural supports, while roofing was often thatched with the extensive use of Rellugaddi grass to protect against inclement weather.
This is perhaps most easily visible with the Jatapu housing pattern, whose self-sustaining life resonates in their relationship with nature. While simple in its concepts, this indigenous knowledge also proves to be very efficient and sustainable in adapting local climatic conditions.