Introduction – Tribal culture traditions & practice pervade all aspects of Indian culture & civilisation. as Acc tp Prof K.S Singh, “The Indian tribes have not lain torpid on the fringe of civilisation but have responded to static & dynamic rhythms of history. Their role is limited not merely to references to such of them as Saoras, Kinnaras and Kiratas in ancient texts; it is part of the process of the fusion of races and cultures in the subcontinent, of the growth of Hinduism and its amorphous mass of myths and legends, magic and religion, traditions and customs. Tribal contents in Indian life may be compared to an iceberg in an ocean and these can be identified as much as the Aryan or the Dravidian”.
A study of various stages of prehistory reveals – archeological records
Role in Crystallisation of Indian Society
- aboriginal Indian population was predominantly tribals & they constituted the basic social matrix of this country.
- Origin of IVC, its gradual expansion & growth is the ingenious work of the Indian tribes.
- Amalgamation with invasive Aryan Tribes & formation of Vedic & later vedic society – by two process that displayed interaction b/w Aboriginal & Aryan tribes
- Aryanization of Indian Tribes
- Tribalization of Aryan People
- Mention of Indian Tribes in Ancient Text (Panchatantra, Kathasaritsagar, Vishnu Purana, Harsha Charitra) & Epics (Ramayan & Mahabharatha) is testimony of the fact of their proactive role in gradual evolution of Indian society & culture
- Mention of Saharas or Saoras In Aitreya Brahmana
- Kinnaras & Kiratas in ancient text
- Ekalavya (Mahabharata) – Bhil Tribe
- Mundas & Naga Tribe are said to have fought alongside the Kauravas at Kurukshetra war
- Bhima Married Hidimba a tribal lady
- Mention of Aruna marrying Chitrangada, a Naga Princess
- Tribal folklore contain anecdotes & legends from hindu epics like Ramayana & Mahabharata
- Gonds consider themselves descendants of Ravana & Mundas consider themselves descendants of Manu
Indian Regional Language
- such as Oriya, Marathi or Bengali developed as a result of the fusion of tribal languages with Sanskrit or Pali
- virtually all the Indian languages have incorporated words from the Vocabulary of Tribal Languages
Democratic Modal of Social Organisation
- Early Buddhists Sangha were modelled on the tribal pattern of social interaction that stressed gender equality & respect for all members.
- Members of sanghas sought to emulate their egalitarian outlook & democratic functioning.
Contribution to Religious Elements
- Tribal deities & customs, creation myths & a variety of religious rites and ceremonies came to a absorbed into the board stream of hindu society
- Ancestor worship, worship of fertility gods & goddesses (as well as ♂ & ♀symbols), totemic worship – also part of traibal tradition found way in Hinduism
- Widespread practise of keeping ‘Vratas i.e fasting for wishfulfilment or moral cleansing also has tribal origins.
Medicine & other
- Dental care products like datun, roots & condiments like turmeric used in cooking & ointment are also tribal discoveries
- Many fruit tress & vines
- Ayurvedic cures for arthritis & night blindness owe their origin to Tribal knowledge
Role in Development of Agriculture practices
- As Rotational cropping, fertility maintenance thr alternating the cultivation of grains with leavings land follow or using its for pasture
- Tribal or Orissa were instrumental in developing a Variety of Strains of Rice
Art & Culture
- Tribal musical instruments such as the bansuri (flute) & dhol (drum), folk tales, dances & seasonal celebrations also found their way into Indian traditions as their art & metallurgical skills
Metallurgical Skills
Conclusion – Thus we may conclude by saying that the tribal populations in India have contributed enormouslythroughout the nation’s prehistoric & historic development. The Indian civilization is enriched with the dynamic participation of tribal population, not only from times immemorial, but also for a long time to come. The aura of Indian diversity is further intensified by the very presence of these ancient & exotic inhabitants of this subcontinent.
Case Study
- Philosophy of Sharing Among Mallakurumbha Adivasi of South India
- When the Mullakurumbas go hunting a share is given to every family in the village, even those who may be absent, sick or cannot participate for any other reason.
- An extra portion is added for any guest in the village and even a non-tribal passersby will be offered a share.
- Not sharing is something they find difficult to comprehend.
- Mahashweta Devi has shown that both Shiva and Kali have tribal origins as do Krishna and Ganesh
- In the 8th century, the tribal forest goddess or harvest goddess was absorbed and adapted as Siva’s wife.
- Ganesh owes it’s origins to a powerful tribe of elephant trainers whose incorporation into Hindu society was achieved through the deification of their elephant totem.
- In his study of Brahmin lineages in Maharashtra, Kosambi points to how many Brahmin gotras (such as Kashyapa) arose from tribal totems such as Kachhapa (tortoise).
- In Rajasthan, Rajput rulers recognised the Adivasi Bhil chiefs as allies and Bhils acquired a central role in some Rajput coronation ceremonies.
- In a recent study, the All India Coordinated Research Project credits Adivasi communities with the knowledge of 9000 plant species – 7500 used for human healing and veterinary health care.
- Rani Durgavati of Jabalpur (of Chandella-Gond heritage) acquired a reputation of legendary proportions when she died in battle defending against Mughal incursions.
- The city of Nagpur was founded by a Gond Raja in the early 18th century.
Tribal Fable –
- Munda fable is particularly illustrative – of traditionally tribal societies valued gender equality, respect for nature and equality of all trades.
There was a king who lost a war with Munda tribals. He sent a messenger to the king of Mundas. The messenger looked around but could not find the king or his palace. He asked one farmer as to where to find the king. The farmer replied, “He was here a while ago, let me see (he looks around)….Oh there he is (pointing to a man plowing his fields with his bullocks)… He is working there.”