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What is a tribal community?
Bhavika
Updated on 28th June, 2024 , 4 min read
What is a tribal community?
What are tribes?
Historically, people have been categorized into tribes based on blood, socioeconomic, cultural, or religious ties. All of them share particular traditions and accents. These people are considered as tribes.
Definition
A tribe is a group of individuals who share a common geographic location and live there. A tribe shares a language, culture, and religion. They are also very much a unit. Usually, a leader leads the tribe. A collection of tribes arranged according to kinship is called a tribal society.
Tribal communities in India
In India, states choose how tribal people are officially classified. Although, few scholars have classified them for educational reasons. They have classified tribal communities according to the factors such as - skin color, nationality, and geography.
Tribal communities in India are scattered all across India. These communities exist in nearly every state and union territory. the scheduled tribes make up 8.6% of the total population in India. Over 730 Scheduled Tribes have been notified under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution.
The places with maximum tribal settlements are
- Mizoram (94.4% of the population)
- Lakshadweep (94%)
- Meghalaya (86.1%)
- Nagaland (86.5%).
Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and West Bengal, too, have important tribal settlements.
Major tribal communities in India
The unique cultures, languages, and customs of India's tribal people contribute to the rich cultural diversity of the country. Tribal groups in India are recognized under "Schedule 5" of the Indian Constitution. Thus, the tribes that the Constitution acknowledges are referred to as "Scheduled Tribes."
The tribes of India that are most well-known include the Great Andamanese Tribes, the Gonds, Bhils (or Bheels), Santhal, Munda, Khasi, Garo, Angami, Bhutia, Chenchu, and Kodaba. Let’s look at the 5 major tribal communities in India -
Bhils Tribe
Origin: It is one of the oldest and biggest tribal communities in India. The word "Bhil" comes from the word "billu," which means bow. They are divided into subgroups such as Bhil Garasia, Vasave Bhil, Pawra Bhil, and Tadai Bhil and makeup 37.7% of India's Scheduled Tribes.
Location: The Bhil people live in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. They are primarily located in Madhya Pradesh.
Occupation: They were mostly involved in farming and agricultural labor, although they were previously skilled in guerilla warfare and were well-known for their skill with archery and their extensive understanding of the environment.
Gonds Tribe
Origin: The Telugu word 'Konda,' which means hill, is where the name 'Gond' comes from. According to the 2011 Census, they make up 35.6% of India's Scheduled Tribes. It is the second-largest tribal population in India.
Location: Gonds tribal communities are mostly found in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. They are members of the Gondi-Manda subgroup of the Dravidian language family, which is located in the South Central region., with the largest Gond population being found in Chhattisgarh.
Occupation: The Gonds were historically farmers, hunters, and gatherers. Many still work as rice and millet farmers now. while others are employed by the government, get wages, or engage in traditional crafts like weaving and pottery.
Munda Tribe
Origin: The Chotanagpur plateau in India is the original home of the Munda tribe, who are Proto-Australoid in origin.
Location: They mostly live in parts of West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Tripura.
Occupation: The Munda people were traditionally hunters and gatherers who also worked in agriculture, specializing in rice farming. Many of them are now in jobs in small companies, the government, and forestry.
Toto Tribe
Origin: The Toto tribe originated in the slopes of the Eastern Himalayas, India, and is said to be of Tibeto-Burman origin. They have traditionally lived in West Bengal's Alipurduar district's Totopara area.
Location: The Toto tribe is mostly found in Totopara, a distinctive community secluded away in the Eastern Himalayan woods.
occupation: The Totos have historically engaged in subsistence practices including hunting and shifting agriculture (jhum). Even while agriculture is still important today, a lot of Totos have expanded their sources of income to include wage labor, government work, and small jobs.
Bhutia Tribe
Origin: The Bhutia tribe originated in Tibet and moved to India, where they made their home in the Himalayan areas.
Location: They have communities in several areas of West Bengal's Darjeeling district as well as other Himalayan regions, but their main home is Sikkim, India.
Occupation: Bhutias have historically worked as traders and pastoralists. Many people today work in government, the tourism industry, agriculture, and education, all of which support the socio-economic fabric of their communities.
Conclusion -
These were the 5 major tribal communities of India that are scattered all across India.
These tribal communities are diverse and culturally rich, despite facing challenges like economic disparities and modern influences. They preserve their identities through farming, crafts, and sustainable living close to nature. It's important to support their rights and initiatives that empower them economically and socially.
FAQs
What defines a tribal community in India?
Tribal communities in India are defined by their distinct cultures, languages, and traditional practices, often residing in geographically concentrated areas.
How many tribal groups are recognized in India?
There are over 730 Scheduled Tribes recognized under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution, contributing to India's diverse cultural landscape.
Where are tribal communities predominantly located in India?
Tribal communities are scattered across nearly every state and union territory of India, with significant populations in states like Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
What occupations do tribal communities typically engage in?
Traditionally, occupations include farming, hunting, and crafts like weaving and pottery. Today, many also work in government jobs, agriculture, and small-scale businesses.
What are some major tribal communities in India?
Major tribal communities include the Gonds, Bhils, Mundas, Totos, and Bhutias, each with unique cultural identities and historical significance.
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