Introduction
India is a country that is far and wide known for its scanty population in the prehistoric age. However, do you know what a tribe is? During the prehistoric tribe, relatively small groups were scattered throughout the country in various spots. These small groups of people were said to be a tribe. The tribal culture starts from the isolated forests and highlands in India. Tribal people are also quite an important part of the Indian population. Their isolated ecology, society, religious belief, economy, and centuries-long association with Indian society have indeed had quite an effect. Let’s take an in-depth look at the characteristics and types of tribes.
What is a Tribe
A lot of anthropologists, such as Tylor, Rivers, Morgan, and Lowie, have tried to define a tribe. These definitions, however, are by no means complete, and these professionals have not been able to develop specific sections that can classify the group as tribal or nontribal. The term, however, refers to territorial communities that are living in isolation in forests and foothills. Many attempts have also been made to define and characterize tribes, but there have been no defining characteristics that could be pointed out. According to the Dictionary of Anthropology, the tribe can be described as a social group usually with a definite dialect, area, cultural homogeneity, and unifying social organization.
Characteristics of Tribe
While tribal communities are also similar to people who live among us, there are a few distinct characteristics that set them apart. A few of the characteristics of a tribe can be provided as follows:
Geographical isolation
They have a well-defined geographical territory. They often tend to live in clusters or padas, which are generally located in remote hilly and forest areas. Now, many of them have migrated to rural villages and cities and have adapted to the new lifestyle.
Sense of identity
Tribal folk tend to have a sense of exclusive identity that strongly binds them together. This sense of identity is characterized by an awareness of territorial boundaries. Each tribe also has a common name, such as Naga, Gond, etc., which further adds to its sense of solidarity and cohesion.
Distinctive culture and language
They have independent traditions that respect their social customs, ecology, folklore, and belief systems. Each tribe also has its dialects. However, people may quite often also use the regional language to communicate with people outside the tribe.
Endogamous group
People belonging to tribal groups do not usually mingle with outsiders and, hence, do not marry with them. Marriage is based on the rule of tribal endogamy. It is also viewed more as a contract, and there are no taboos regarding remarriage or divorce. In recent times, inter-tribal marriages have also become quite common.
Economic life
They are usually engaged in hunting, basket making, fishing, weaving, iron smithing, etc. They also practice simple agriculture and shifting cultivation. Their use of rudimentary technology led to low production. They have poor health and low levels of literacy. Their marketing facilities, infrastructural, and economic facilities are also underdeveloped. Many tribes still depend heavily on barter systems. Hence, they are considered to be economically backward.
Types of Tribes
There are mainly two types of tribes in India. They are classified on the basis of two traits, which could be either permanent or acquired. Here is all about the various types of tribes present in India.
Based on Permanent Traits
Language, region, ecological habitat, and physical characteristics are the permanent traits used to classify tribal societies.
Based on Acquired Traits
People who belong to tribes consisting of acquired traits are further divided based on the extent of their incorporation into Hindu society and their livelihood.
Based on Livelihood
Tribes could be further categorized based on livelihood as plantation and industrial workers, shifting cultivators, food gatherers, hunters, peasants, and fishermen.
Based on Incorporation into Hindu Society
The dominant classification of the tribes, especially in terms of politics, affairs, and academic sociology, is based on their degree of involvement in Hindu society.
Tribal Population of India
A majority of the tribal population in India is concentrated in the following areas:
Maharashtra
Jharkhand
Parts of Andhra Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Chhattisgarh
Almost 85% of the total population is concentrated in central India. In the states of Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya, the concentration usually ranges from 65% to 95%. Ten per cent of the tribal community lives in the cities.
Major Tribes of India
Tribal people in India comprise almost 104 million, or 8.6% of the total national population. While there are about 705 officially recognized ethnic groups, many more ethnic groups would easily qualify for the scheduled tribe status but are not recognized officially. Therefore, the total number of tribal groups is definitely higher than the official figure that has been provided. Here are a few of the major tribes present in India.
Bhils
Bhils are considered to be one of the largest tribal groups living in Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The name Bhils is also derived from the word ‘bhilu’, which also means bow. They are one of the best when it comes to guerilla warfare and archery. Bhils are now being employed as farmers, labourers, and sculptors.
Mundas
Munda tribes are spread mainly across West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Tripura. The most important festival that the Mundas observe is Ba or Magha. They also observe many other festivals of dance and music, which they are quite fond of.
Santhal
Santhals are one of the oldest tribes in India. They are spread across Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. The Santhal system of governance is Manjhi-Paragana.
Gond
Gonds are one of the largest tribal groups in the world. They are found in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and the district of Madhya Pradesh. Gonds are further divided into four groups: Dhurve Gonds, Raj Gonds, Khatulwar Gonds, and Madia Gonds. Kodo and Kutki are the staple foods that Gonds usually indulge in.
Tribe Challenges: All about their challenges
Tribes, often referred to as Adivasis in India, tend to form an important component of the nation’s rich culture. These communities are united by their economic, religious, social, or blood ties and share a common dialect and culture. However, despite their unity, they face a multitude of tribal challenges that hinder their progress and well-being.
Lack of Education
In many tribal areas, the lack of basic education is one of the major issues that the tribal communities tend to face. This also includes a lack of learning materials and sanitation facilities. Economic pressures also force tribal parents to push their children into immediate employment over education. The languages used are also official or regional languages, which are unknown to the tribal students.
Displacement and Rehabilitation
The acquisition of tribal land for large-scale industrial properties such as power installations, steel plants, and dams tends to result in massive displacement of tribal populations. This disruption tends to force tribals to migrate to urban areas where they struggle to adapt to the new lifestyle.
Problems of Health and Nutrition
Insecure livelihoods and economic hardships tend to contribute to a range of health issues among tribals. Diseases such as cholera, malaria, jaundice, and diarrhoea are prevalent, along with malnutrition issues and high mortality rates among infants.
Gender Issues
The degradation of natural environments, driven by deforestation and resource depletion, has also quite affected the status of tribal women. The intrusion of industries, mining, and commercialization has also exposed tribal men and women to the market economy, which is leading to consumerism and commodification of women.
Difficulty in receiving Medical Assistance
Mobile medical camps are very important to organize to help reach health care in remote tribal areas. Emergency transportation for pregnant tribal women to healthcare facilities should also be arranged. Health workers from tribal communities could help bridge this gap between tribal communities and healthcare facilities.
Low source of income
It is essential to create new employment and income-generation opportunities in tribal areas through self-employment or wage employment initiatives. Micro-credit schemes could also be extended for self-employment ventures, and the collection of minor forest produce should also be encouraged.
Tribals who have been categorized as untouchables
Tribals are usually excluded from society and categorized as untouchables. However, proper awareness programs are needed to help reduce their social exclusion.
Conclusion:
Now that you know what a tribe is, empowering tribal communities has become one of the very important things that people need to focus on. By providing proper education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, we can contribute to this cause. We all need to also work towards preserving their cultural identity and ensuring that tribal populations thrive and contribute to the nation’s diversity and growth.
FAQ:
How do tribes differ from other social groups?
Tribes are absolutely different from social groups that exist in cities. These tribal people do not follow social rules and rituals. They also do not follow a specific religion with a written text and do not have a political form of the normal kind.
Why are tribes culturally significant?
Since tribal people have their own lifestyles, ceremonies, customs, religious beliefs, superstitions, and traditions, they tend to contribute to India’s diverse culture.
What does the future hold for tribes?
Here are a few ways how the future is going to help tribal people come forward:
Providing education for tribal students
End-to-end digitization
Providing proper sanitation facilities in every area.
Which type is the largest tribe in India?
Bhil tribes are among the largest tribal groups in India. They constitute about 38% of the total scheduled tribal population.
