Cultural practices among Indigenous people are fundamental to identity, heritage conservation, and unity within tribal communities. Nevertheless, a few factors, such as rapid modernisation, increased educational opportunities, and socio-economic changes with the availability of digital media, have influenced how tribal youth perform their ethnic traditions. This study examines the traditional cultural practices actively practised by tribal youth in Alluri Sitarama Raju District, Andhra Pradesh. It analyses their role in preserving tribal identity and strengthening community cohesion. Employing a qualitative ethnographic approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, and key informant interviews among tribal youth aged 15–30 years from selected villages representing Bagata, Valmiki, Porja, Kotiya, Gadaba, Mali, kondh and other tribal communities. The findings reveal that youth continue to participate actively in traditional festivals such as Korakota traditional harvest festival and Sankranti, perform traditional cultural expressions like the Dhimsa dance, observe customary food practices and rituals, and contribute to the intergenerational transmission of cultural knowledge. Modernization has created new lifestyles and aspirations, but these cultural practices continue to serve as important signifiers of tribal identity and collective belonging. The tribal youth negotiate between the traditional values and the contemporary influences by way of adaptation and not total abandonment of their cultural heritage. The study shows that young people are custodians of indigenous culture and play a central role in ensuring cultural continuity in the face of social change. It is recommended to reinforce community-based cultural education, support tribal festivals and promote participation of youth in cultural preservation projects, in order to protect tribal heritage and strengthen cultural identity among the coming generations.