TRIBES
Prepared By
Dr. Arpita Das
Identity
According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, the word “identity”
originated in the late sixteenth century from the Latin word “idem”
which means “same.”
The term states the “fact of being who or what a person or thing is,”
and it also stands for “a close similarity or affinity”
Identity is a collective aspect of a set of characteristics that define a
person or a thing. It is a term which is both inclusive and exclusive
because on the basis of ones identity one can get included or excluded
in a group. No one can have a singular identity because one gains
various identities on the basis of ones nationality, gender, region,
ethnicity, language, caste, class, etc. One can be identified on the
basis of his political, social, economic and ideological beliefs, too. A
person can have multiple identities depending on his association or
affiliation with various groups.
Identity of Tribe
First, geographical territory: this refers to the territorial and physical aspect of
the tribal identity, which in common parlance is known in the slogan of Jal-JungleZamin (water-forest-land) symbiosis.
Second, social organization: the tribal social organization in general is
characterized by egalitarianism. In the villages tribals are still governed by the
sahiyaro and madait concept.
Third, economic organization: there is a tremendous collectively in the economic
organisation of the tribals which is not found in other communities. Rather than
having individualistic approach in their economic enterprises, tribals have a sense
of social responsibility and co-operation. Their orientation is towards mutual
sharing rather than hoarding.
Fourth, political structure: Tribals have their own system of governance,
which is characterised by self-rule and decentralisation of power. In this
type of governance decision is taken by consensus and not by election or
majority-minority votes.
Fifth ,linguistic identity: language is one of the main identity markers. It
clearly distinguishes one from the other because language is not just a
means of communication but an important aspect of culture and identity.
Sixth, constitutional recognition: the constitutional recognition for the
tribals as ‘Scheduled tribes’ under Article 342 of the Constitution, has a
special significance.
WHO ARE THE TRIBALS ?
The term ‘Tribe’ in Anthropology as defined by Wikipedia as a notional
form of human social organization based on a set of smaller groups, having
temporary or permanent political integration, and is defined by traditions of
common descent, language, culture, and ideology.
In different countries they are know by different names. In India the tribals
are known as the Adivasis. The term Adivasi literally means ‘original
inhabitants’.
It is an umbrella term for a 5 heterogeneous set of ethnic and tribal groups
believed to be the aboriginal inhabitants of India, although terms such as
atavika (a Sanskrit word for forest dwellers), vanvasi or girijan (hill
people) are also used for the tribes of India.
Definition of Tribals
The ILO convention 107 describes the tribals as those people “who are
at a less advanced stage of development than those reached by the other
sections of national community and whose status is regulated wholly or
partially by their own customs and traditions”
According to Imperial Gazetter of India , ‘a tribe is a collection of
families bearing a common name , speaking a common dialect,
occupying or professing to occupy a common territory and is not usually
endogamous though originally it might have been so.
Characteristics of Tribe
1. Common Territory: A tribe is a territorial community. It
means the tribe has a definite territory in which its members
reside. For example, the Naga, Rengama Naga, Sema Naga
and other tribals reside in Nagaland, Garos Khasi, live in
Assam and Meghalaya; Bhils in Madhya Pradesh; Thodas in
Nilgri Hills of Tamil Nadu, and so on.
2. Collection of Families: The tribals constitute a collection of
families. These collections may have various sizes. These
families which normally have blood relationships among
themselves could be matriarchal or patriarchal in nature.
3. Common Name: Every tribe has its own name. Each tribe is
known to others by its distinctive name. Example of some
Indian Tribes: Garo, Khasi, Naga, Munda, Santal.
4. Common Language: The members of a tribe speak a particular language.
Different tribes speak different languages. These languages are not only
different from the language of the civilised people, but they themselves differ
from one another. Common language contributes much to the development of
community feeling.
5. Common Ancestor: The tribals claim that they have a common ancestor.
A major cause of the sense of communal unity in the tribe is “the tie of blood
relationships” between its members arising out of common ancestry.
6. Common Religion: Religion plays an important role in the tribal
organisation. The members of a tribe usually worship a common ancestor.
Also, nature worship is common among them. In addition to the ancestral
worship and nature worship.
7. Common Culture: Common culture of a tribe springs out from the sense
of unity, common language, common religion, common political
organisation. Common culture produces a life of homogeneity among the
tribals.
7. Distinct Political Organization:
Every tribe has its own distinct political organisation which looks after the
interests of tribal people. The whole political authority lies in the hands of a tribal
chief. In some tribes, tribal committees exist to help the tribal chief in discharging
his functions in the interests of the tribe.
8. Sense of Unity:
Unless and until, a group living in a particular area and using that area as a
common residence, does not possess the sense of unity, it cannot be called a tribe.
Sense of unity is an invariable necessity for a true tribal life. The very existence of
a tribe depends upon the tribal’s sense of unity during the times of peace and war.
9. Prevalence of Dormitories: Tribal community has a peculiar feature which is
evident in the form of common sleeping chambers or dormitories. Young boys
and girls spend much of their time in the night in their dormitories and often
they are vested with the responsibility of giving protection to the community
people.
10.Simplicity and Self-sufficiency: A tribal society is not complex but simple in
character. Hunting, fishing, collection of roots, fruits ,nuts, honey and forest
products are their main means of subsistence. They are simple, honest ,frugal
and some of them are very hospitable also.
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