Africa, perhaps, has the largest number of tribes. Some of the major tribes and their regions are given below.
Aborigines: The earliest inhabitants of Australia (The term 'aborigine', however, generally signifies the original people of any area.)
Bantus : Negroes of Central and Southern Africa
Bedouins: Nomadic tribe of Arab descent in Africa and South-west Asia
Berbers: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia
Bindibu: Western Australia
Eskimo: Tundra regions of Canada and Greenland
Gaucho : Nomads of Uruguay, Argentina (the Pampas)
Hamites: North-west Africa
Kirghiz: Steppes of Asia
Kikuyu: Kenya, East Africa
Lapps: Tundra region of Europe
Maori: New Zealand
Masai: East Africa
Papuans: New Guinea
Pygmies: Congo (Zaire) Basin
Red Indians: North America
Samoyeds: Asiatic Tundra-Northern Russia
Tartars: Siberia
Veddas: Sri Lanka
Yakuts: Tundra region of Russia
Showing posts with label Cast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cast. Show all posts
Friday, November 20, 2009
TRIBE POPULATION
POPULATION The 2001 Census put the number 0
persons belonging to Scheduled Tribes in India at 84.: million, which was 8.20 per cent of the total population 0 the country. There were about 60 major tribal group: accounting for about 80 per cent of the total tribal popu lation of India in 1991. There were over 100 medium triba groups and 130 minor tribal groups. About 60 others werl numerically insignificant. The pattern of distribution of th. tribal groups was very uneven.
According to Census 2001, numerically, Schedulec Tribes were largest in Madhya Pradesh followed b) Maharashtra. Orissa, Rajasthan and Jharkhandheld third fourth, fifth positions respectively. The Scheduled Tribe~ formed the largest proportion of the total population ir, Lakshadweep, followed by Mizoram and Nagaland.
District-wise, the district of West Khasi Hills in Meghalaya had the highest percentage of ST population in 1991. There were about 30 districts where more than 75 per cent of the total population were scheduled tribes. Majority of such districts were in the North-Eastern states. Districts, such as Lahul and Spiti, the Dangs, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Jhabua and Lakshadweep had also about three-fourths of their population belonging to STs.
The decadal population growth between the census year 1981 to 1991 in respect of the tribal population has been higher (31.64 per cent) than that for the entire population (23.51 per cent), however, during census years 1991 to 2001 it has been 24.45 per cent against the growth rate of 22.66 per cent for the entire population. The ST population in the state of Karnataka has winessed highest growth rate of 80.82 per cent following by Nagaland (67.2: per cent). The lowest growth rate in respect of ST popu lation as per the 2001 census was recorded in Andamal and Nicobar Islands (10.08 per cent) followed by Himachc Pradesh (12.02 per cent).
As compared to the sex ratio for the overall populatio (933 females per 1000 male), the sex ratio among Schedule Tribes is more favourable, at 977 females per thousan males (2001 census). In all states except Andhra Pradesl Tamil Nadu and Uttaranchal, the ST sex ratio as per 20C census was more women-favoured.
The literacy rate for overall population has increaSE from 52.2 per cent to 65.38 per cent between 1991 to 200 In case of Scheduled Tribes, the increase in literacy has bel from 29.62 per cent to 47.10 per cent. As per the 20
persons belonging to Scheduled Tribes in India at 84.: million, which was 8.20 per cent of the total population 0 the country. There were about 60 major tribal group: accounting for about 80 per cent of the total tribal popu lation of India in 1991. There were over 100 medium triba groups and 130 minor tribal groups. About 60 others werl numerically insignificant. The pattern of distribution of th. tribal groups was very uneven.
According to Census 2001, numerically, Schedulec Tribes were largest in Madhya Pradesh followed b) Maharashtra. Orissa, Rajasthan and Jharkhandheld third fourth, fifth positions respectively. The Scheduled Tribe~ formed the largest proportion of the total population ir, Lakshadweep, followed by Mizoram and Nagaland.
District-wise, the district of West Khasi Hills in Meghalaya had the highest percentage of ST population in 1991. There were about 30 districts where more than 75 per cent of the total population were scheduled tribes. Majority of such districts were in the North-Eastern states. Districts, such as Lahul and Spiti, the Dangs, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Jhabua and Lakshadweep had also about three-fourths of their population belonging to STs.
The decadal population growth between the census year 1981 to 1991 in respect of the tribal population has been higher (31.64 per cent) than that for the entire population (23.51 per cent), however, during census years 1991 to 2001 it has been 24.45 per cent against the growth rate of 22.66 per cent for the entire population. The ST population in the state of Karnataka has winessed highest growth rate of 80.82 per cent following by Nagaland (67.2: per cent). The lowest growth rate in respect of ST popu lation as per the 2001 census was recorded in Andamal and Nicobar Islands (10.08 per cent) followed by Himachc Pradesh (12.02 per cent).
As compared to the sex ratio for the overall populatio (933 females per 1000 male), the sex ratio among Schedule Tribes is more favourable, at 977 females per thousan males (2001 census). In all states except Andhra Pradesl Tamil Nadu and Uttaranchal, the ST sex ratio as per 20C census was more women-favoured.
The literacy rate for overall population has increaSE from 52.2 per cent to 65.38 per cent between 1991 to 200 In case of Scheduled Tribes, the increase in literacy has bel from 29.62 per cent to 47.10 per cent. As per the 20
Western Zone & Island Region
Western Zone This zone includes Rajasthan and Gujarat and tribes such as the Bhils, Garasiya and Meenas.
The Bhils are regarded as a violent tribe. They are go< archers and claim to have formed the major chunk of RaJ Pratap's army. The Meenas are a very advanced and WI educated tribe.
Island Region This zone includes Andaman ar Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Daman and Diu. The: tribes include the Great Andamanese, Sentinelese, Jarwa Onges, Nicobaris and Shampen. Some of these tribes al extremely backward and are struggling to come out of tl stone age mode of livelihood. Most of these tribes all classified as minor tribes which face the threat of extinctiol The government tried to integrate some of these tribes wit the mainstream, but the construction of the naval dockyar at Port Blair exposed the tribes to the outside world, leadin to a loss of identity for the tribals who got disintegrate into a diaspora. This region is a priority area in tribe administration and the emphasis is on slow and gradw change. Apart from the problem of survival, prevalence c diseases and malnutrition are some other problems of th tribes of this region.
The Bhils are regarded as a violent tribe. They are go< archers and claim to have formed the major chunk of RaJ Pratap's army. The Meenas are a very advanced and WI educated tribe.
Island Region This zone includes Andaman ar Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Daman and Diu. The: tribes include the Great Andamanese, Sentinelese, Jarwa Onges, Nicobaris and Shampen. Some of these tribes al extremely backward and are struggling to come out of tl stone age mode of livelihood. Most of these tribes all classified as minor tribes which face the threat of extinctiol The government tried to integrate some of these tribes wit the mainstream, but the construction of the naval dockyar at Port Blair exposed the tribes to the outside world, leadin to a loss of identity for the tribals who got disintegrate into a diaspora. This region is a priority area in tribe administration and the emphasis is on slow and gradw change. Apart from the problem of survival, prevalence c diseases and malnutrition are some other problems of th tribes of this region.
Southern Zone & Eastern Zone
Southern Zone This region comprises the Nilgiris together with the adjoining hilly regions in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka which are the homeland of probably the smallest, the most backward and the most isolated tribal communities on the mainland. Among the prominent tribes of this zone are the Toda, Koya, Chenchu and Allars. Todas are a pastoral people who practise buffalo herding. Allars are cave dwellers, who also live on tree tops. Chenchus are a very backward tribe who survive mainly on huntinggathering.
The major problems of the' tribes of the southern region are shifting cultivation, economic backwardness, isolation, lack of communication and threat of extinction of languages.
Eastern Zone This zone includes West Bengal, Orissa and parts of Orissa and tribes such as Paraja, Kondhs, Bondas, Bhumij, Gadabas, Bhuinyas and Saoras. During the last century, the Kondhs were known for their rituals of human sacrifice (which was banned by the British). Saoras are known for their magical expertise. The major problems of the tribes of the eastern zone are economic backwardness, exploitation by forest officials and contractors, land alienation, prevalence of diseases and displacement due to industrial projects.
The major problems of the' tribes of the southern region are shifting cultivation, economic backwardness, isolation, lack of communication and threat of extinction of languages.
Eastern Zone This zone includes West Bengal, Orissa and parts of Orissa and tribes such as Paraja, Kondhs, Bondas, Bhumij, Gadabas, Bhuinyas and Saoras. During the last century, the Kondhs were known for their rituals of human sacrifice (which was banned by the British). Saoras are known for their magical expertise. The major problems of the tribes of the eastern zone are economic backwardness, exploitation by forest officials and contractors, land alienation, prevalence of diseases and displacement due to industrial projects.
Central Zone
Central Zone This zone, which has the maximum tribal concentration, stretches from southern Madhya Pradesh (now also Chhattisgarh) to south Bihar (now Jharkhand) across northern Orissa. The major tribes lying in this zone are the San thais, Ho, Baiga, Abhujmaria, Muria, Munda and Birhor. The major problems faced by the tribes of this region are land alienation, indebtedness, exploitation of tribal girls by contractors and officials leading to psychological and sexual trauma. This zone also shows a greater impact of Hinduism.
Among the tribes of this region, the Santhals have discovered a script of their own, called Ole Chiki. Baigas are a prominent shifting cultivation tribe. Birhors are a very backward tribe of this region and because of extreme backwardness and no secure means of livelihood, they are threatened with extinction.
Among the tribes of this region, the Santhals have discovered a script of their own, called Ole Chiki. Baigas are a prominent shifting cultivation tribe. Birhors are a very backward tribe of this region and because of extreme backwardness and no secure means of livelihood, they are threatened with extinction.
North-Eastern Zone
North-Eastern Zone This zone includes the seven north-eastern states, and the major tribal groupS here are Nagas, Khasi, Garo, Mishing, Miri, Karbi and the Apatanis. Ecological degradation because of shifting cultivation 'and inaccessibility due to lack of communication facilities are two major problems of these tribes. Because of a high degree of isolation, the tribes of this sector have not really shared history with the mainstream Indians and have instead shared history with the neighbouring communities. This explains why there is an element of hostility of these tribes with the mainstream. These tribes mainly belong to the Mongoloid stock which gives them a distinct ethnic identity. These tribes have a very high rate of literacy and conversions to Christianity, mainly because of the missionary activities during the colonial rule. Among the more advanced tribes of this region are the Khasis, Garo and Miri.
TRIBAL DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION From the point of view of distribution and diversity of the tribal population, India can be divided into seven zones.
1. North Zone This zone covers Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, sub-Himalayan Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Bihar. The prominent tribes here are Khasa, Tharu, Bhoksa, Bhotias, Gujjars and the Jaunsaris. Khasas are a polyandrous tribe. Bhotias make carpets and are involved in the Indo-China border trade. The Gujjars are a pastoral tribe.
The major problems of the tribes of this zone are inaccessibility, lack of communication, poverty, illiteracy and land alienation.
1. North Zone This zone covers Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, sub-Himalayan Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Bihar. The prominent tribes here are Khasa, Tharu, Bhoksa, Bhotias, Gujjars and the Jaunsaris. Khasas are a polyandrous tribe. Bhotias make carpets and are involved in the Indo-China border trade. The Gujjars are a pastoral tribe.
The major problems of the tribes of this zone are inaccessibility, lack of communication, poverty, illiteracy and land alienation.
CONCEPT OF TRIBE
CONCEPT OF TRIBE Conventionally, anthropologists considered all people as tribes who were backward in some sense or other, inhabited remote, inaccessible areas and were not familiar with the art of writing. They were considered racially different and lived in isolation. Such a concept, however, does not quite describe the tribes of India: these groups always had links with other people (who were not tribals) and shared with them a largely common cultural heritage.
On an official level in India, the term 'scheduled tribes' is used as a generalisation which does not quite reflect the underlying heterogeneity of the tribes of India. For one thing, there is much confusion about the names-the same names occur in many regions, though they do not exactly denote the same tribe; sub-tribes are equated with tribes, thus multiplying the number of tribes unnecessarily; the same tribe has been given more than one name, thus creating a difference where none exists. Confusion also arises from variations in language: names are pronounced differently in different regions and in tribal dialects. It is thus difficult to arrive at a clear picture of the tribes and their distribution.
The term 'scheduled tribes' in India is generally determined by the political and administrative consideration of uplifting a section of the Indian people which has been relatively remotely situated in the hills and forests and which is backward in terms of the indices of development. The scheduled tribes have been identified in terms of the two parameters of relative isolation and backwardness.
In a recent survey conducted by the Anthropological Survey of India under the 'People of India Project', 461 tribal communities have been identified all over the country, out of which 174 are sub-groups.
As Aijazuddin Ahmad points out in his Social Geography, "Tribal communities have been scheduled under varied contexts. This has resulted in serious anomalies. Many a time the states have treated scheduled tribes and scheduled castes as mutually interchangeable categories." Thus, Gujjars are a Muslim scheduled tribe (ST) in Himachal Pradesh and
. Jammu and Kashmir but a non-ST in Punjab; Kamars are an ST in Maharashtra but a Hindu caste in West Bengal; and Manne Dora as ST in Andhra Pradesh but non-ST Hindu in Orissa.
On an official level in India, the term 'scheduled tribes' is used as a generalisation which does not quite reflect the underlying heterogeneity of the tribes of India. For one thing, there is much confusion about the names-the same names occur in many regions, though they do not exactly denote the same tribe; sub-tribes are equated with tribes, thus multiplying the number of tribes unnecessarily; the same tribe has been given more than one name, thus creating a difference where none exists. Confusion also arises from variations in language: names are pronounced differently in different regions and in tribal dialects. It is thus difficult to arrive at a clear picture of the tribes and their distribution.
The term 'scheduled tribes' in India is generally determined by the political and administrative consideration of uplifting a section of the Indian people which has been relatively remotely situated in the hills and forests and which is backward in terms of the indices of development. The scheduled tribes have been identified in terms of the two parameters of relative isolation and backwardness.
In a recent survey conducted by the Anthropological Survey of India under the 'People of India Project', 461 tribal communities have been identified all over the country, out of which 174 are sub-groups.
As Aijazuddin Ahmad points out in his Social Geography, "Tribal communities have been scheduled under varied contexts. This has resulted in serious anomalies. Many a time the states have treated scheduled tribes and scheduled castes as mutually interchangeable categories." Thus, Gujjars are a Muslim scheduled tribe (ST) in Himachal Pradesh and
. Jammu and Kashmir but a non-ST in Punjab; Kamars are an ST in Maharashtra but a Hindu caste in West Bengal; and Manne Dora as ST in Andhra Pradesh but non-ST Hindu in Orissa.
SCHEDULED CASTES IN INDIA : POPULATION
POPULATION According to the 2001 Census, the population of Scheduled Castes in India was 166.6 million which was 16.20 per cent of the total population of the country.
Numerically, the scheduled castes were the largest in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal. There were no Scheduled Castes in Nagaland, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The highest proportion of the Scheduled Caste population (Le., Scheduled Caste population in a state/Union territory as percentage of total population of that state/union territory) was in Punjab while the lowest was in Nagaland. TRIBAL GROUPS IN INDIA
Numerically, the scheduled castes were the largest in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal. There were no Scheduled Castes in Nagaland, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The highest proportion of the Scheduled Caste population (Le., Scheduled Caste population in a state/Union territory as percentage of total population of that state/union territory) was in Punjab while the lowest was in Nagaland. TRIBAL GROUPS IN INDIA
SCHEDULED CASTES IN INDIA : Distribution
SCHEDULED CASTES IN INDIA
DISTRIBUTION The Scheduled Castes are mainly to be found in the alluvial and coastal plains of India, as they are mostly associated with agricultural activities. (By contrast, tribal groups are rarely to be found in the alluvial plains.)
Aijazuddin Ahmed in his book Social Geography explains the striking differences in the distribution of the SCs in different regions/states of the country. He notes that these castes were dependent on the higher castes in their economic as well as other spheres of their life, and that this dependence has not decreased with time.
With the advent of the agrarian mode of production these caste-groups got associated with agriculture. In fact, they were the main suppliers of labour. This explains their heavy concentration in the states of the North Indian Plain as well as over the coastal plains of the peninsular states.
Away from the alluvial plains of the north and the coastal plains of the south, one observes a sudden decrease in the proportion of these castes in population. This is particularly true for the hilly and the forested tracts which happen to be the abode of tribal communities. Another striking fact is that an overwhelming proportion of the SCs (about 90 per cent) is confined to rural areas. It explains their overwhelming dependence on agriculture. Despite their basic dependence on agriculture they have very little access to land. A very small fraction of their population consists of small landholders. In fact, they mostly work as landless agricultural labourers, or as artisans. They also provide a variety of services to the land-owning castes generally considered as polluting and unclean services.
DISTRIBUTION The Scheduled Castes are mainly to be found in the alluvial and coastal plains of India, as they are mostly associated with agricultural activities. (By contrast, tribal groups are rarely to be found in the alluvial plains.)
Aijazuddin Ahmed in his book Social Geography explains the striking differences in the distribution of the SCs in different regions/states of the country. He notes that these castes were dependent on the higher castes in their economic as well as other spheres of their life, and that this dependence has not decreased with time.
With the advent of the agrarian mode of production these caste-groups got associated with agriculture. In fact, they were the main suppliers of labour. This explains their heavy concentration in the states of the North Indian Plain as well as over the coastal plains of the peninsular states.
Away from the alluvial plains of the north and the coastal plains of the south, one observes a sudden decrease in the proportion of these castes in population. This is particularly true for the hilly and the forested tracts which happen to be the abode of tribal communities. Another striking fact is that an overwhelming proportion of the SCs (about 90 per cent) is confined to rural areas. It explains their overwhelming dependence on agriculture. Despite their basic dependence on agriculture they have very little access to land. A very small fraction of their population consists of small landholders. In fact, they mostly work as landless agricultural labourers, or as artisans. They also provide a variety of services to the land-owning castes generally considered as polluting and unclean services.
CASTE IN INDIA
CASTE IN INDIA
The Indian social structure has developed over time mainly on the basis of caste; indeed, it is generally believed that, as a phenomenon, caste is a specificity unique to Indian society. Modem education, urbanisation, economic development and socio-political reform movements have, to an extent, brought about a change in attitude towards the rigidities of the caste system. On the other hand, the introduction of democratic institutions and elected representatioa in governance at grassroot level upwards have given a fresh dimension to caste identity: political parties have no hesitation in catering to caste interests to swell their vote banks.
The origins of the caste system are not clear. It is generally agreed that a division of labour came about as a result of the growth of an agricultural society and villages when the new ethnic element was introduced in the indigenous population of the day with the arrival of the Indo-Aryans. An element of race (and colour of the skin) no doubt played a part in.the social divisions that emerged. The chatur vania system was created and it is generally believed that the Indo-Aryans emerged as the custodians of knowledge (brahmin) and the defenders of territory (kshsatriya) while the others were assigned the lower status of vaisya and sudra with the work of cultivation and manufacture of artisan goods. Unclean jobs-treating the dead bodies of animals, for instance-were for the lowest strata of society and described as 'exterior' castes, or outcastes.
Division of labour is not unique to India; what is unique to India is the institutionalisation of this division of labour into the rigid system of caste so much so that a vocation became a fixed hereditary trait of a family. In due course of time, the varna system acquired the features of a class division. The brahmin and kshatriya emerged as the upper classes. However, caste is not class, as mobility from one caste to another is not possible. Caste to this day determines, in large parts of the country, the pattern of social interaction and commensal relations, Le., whether food or water may be accepted from a member of a certain caste, as Aijazuddin Ahmad observes. Over time, four major castes have divided and sub-divided into many more subcastes. Access to land has historically been determined by caste. The upper castes were also the landed gentry, while those on the lower rungs of the caste society were landless, working on the land owned by the upper castes. The landed sections of population emerged as "dominant" castes as MN. Srinivas observes in his India: Social Structure. The system remained the same, by and large, throughout the Mughal rule and was reinforced by the British when they established their empire. With land getting accumulated in the hands of the higher castes, the sudras, the artisans, and the other sections, especially the outcastes, were rendered to abject levels of poverty. The lowest rungs of this caste society have been given the status of scheduled castes (SC) in independent India.
The Indian social structure has developed over time mainly on the basis of caste; indeed, it is generally believed that, as a phenomenon, caste is a specificity unique to Indian society. Modem education, urbanisation, economic development and socio-political reform movements have, to an extent, brought about a change in attitude towards the rigidities of the caste system. On the other hand, the introduction of democratic institutions and elected representatioa in governance at grassroot level upwards have given a fresh dimension to caste identity: political parties have no hesitation in catering to caste interests to swell their vote banks.
The origins of the caste system are not clear. It is generally agreed that a division of labour came about as a result of the growth of an agricultural society and villages when the new ethnic element was introduced in the indigenous population of the day with the arrival of the Indo-Aryans. An element of race (and colour of the skin) no doubt played a part in.the social divisions that emerged. The chatur vania system was created and it is generally believed that the Indo-Aryans emerged as the custodians of knowledge (brahmin) and the defenders of territory (kshsatriya) while the others were assigned the lower status of vaisya and sudra with the work of cultivation and manufacture of artisan goods. Unclean jobs-treating the dead bodies of animals, for instance-were for the lowest strata of society and described as 'exterior' castes, or outcastes.
Division of labour is not unique to India; what is unique to India is the institutionalisation of this division of labour into the rigid system of caste so much so that a vocation became a fixed hereditary trait of a family. In due course of time, the varna system acquired the features of a class division. The brahmin and kshatriya emerged as the upper classes. However, caste is not class, as mobility from one caste to another is not possible. Caste to this day determines, in large parts of the country, the pattern of social interaction and commensal relations, Le., whether food or water may be accepted from a member of a certain caste, as Aijazuddin Ahmad observes. Over time, four major castes have divided and sub-divided into many more subcastes. Access to land has historically been determined by caste. The upper castes were also the landed gentry, while those on the lower rungs of the caste society were landless, working on the land owned by the upper castes. The landed sections of population emerged as "dominant" castes as MN. Srinivas observes in his India: Social Structure. The system remained the same, by and large, throughout the Mughal rule and was reinforced by the British when they established their empire. With land getting accumulated in the hands of the higher castes, the sudras, the artisans, and the other sections, especially the outcastes, were rendered to abject levels of poverty. The lowest rungs of this caste society have been given the status of scheduled castes (SC) in independent India.
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