Component-I (A) – Personal details: Tourism in India Tribes and Tourism in India Prof. P. Bhaskar Reddy Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. Dr. E. Sivanagi Reddy Former Director, NITHM. Dr. E. Sivanagi Reddy & G. Mahender Reddy NITHM, Hyderabad. Prof. P Narayana Reddy REVA University, Bangalore. 1 Component-I (B) – Description of module: Subject Name Indian Culture Paper Name Tourism in India Module Name/Title Tribes and Tourism in India Module Id IC / TI / 27 Pre requisites Tribes and tourism, Tribal tourism in India To study about tribes and tourism in India Objectives and its scope and importance Keywords Tribes, Tourism, Tribal destinations E-Text (Quadrant-I): Introduction: Tribal Tourism is connected with tribal culture, values and traditions, tourism products owned and operated by tribal people. Tourism which includes tribal habitat, heritage, history and handicrafts, typically involves small tourism businesses owned by tribes or families. Tourism focused on indigenous knowledge of culture and nature. Modern India has many indigenous tribes, that even today, have retained their primitive customs and their lives are directly associated with their natural surroundings. In this light, this chapter discusses tribal tourism in India. Learning outcomes This chapter provides an overview of tribes and tourism in India and its importance. After reading the chapter you will be able to understand the following: What tribal tourism is, Major Tribes of India Significance of tribal tourism in India Major tribal destinations in India 1.0 Introduction to Tribes and Tourism Different terms used to describe Indigenous groups include Ethnic minorities (China, Vietnam, Philippines); Tribes (Africa, Americas); Hill tribes (Thailand); Dcheduled Tribes or adivasis (India); Native American, Indian or Amerindian (North and South America); Indigenes (Latin America); Aboriginal (Australia, Canada, Taiwan) and First Nations (Canada). The United Nations defines Indigenous or tribal communities, peoples and nations as those having „a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories‟, are distinct from other settler groups and want to „preserve, develop and transmit to future generations their ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity‟. This historical continuity is based on occupation of ancestral lands, common ancestry, cultural practices and language. Indigenous people are also economically and culturally marginalized and often live in extreme poverty. A tribe is viewed, historically or developmentally, as a social group existing before the development of, or outside of states. Many anthropologists used the term, tribal society, to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups. 2 Tribal tourism is a showcase of tribal life, art, culture and heritage. Tribal tourism enables interaction between the tourists and the local residents for an enriching experience. In his 1975 study, The Notion of the Tribe, anthropologist Morton H. Fried provided numerous examples of tribes the members of which spoke different languages and practiced different rituals, or that shared languages and rituals with members of other tribes. Similarly, he provided examples of tribes where people followed different political leaders, or followed the same leaders as members of other tribes. He concluded that tribes in general are characterized by fluid boundaries and heterogeneity, are not parochial and are dynamic. Indigenous tourist attractions include museums and cultural villages, nature-based tours, Indigenous fairs and festivals or events and art galleries. Cultural, environmental and spiritual aspects of Indigenous heritage and traditions are especially featured in Indigenous tourism. The UN Commission on Sustainable Development highlighted the key role of Indigenous peoples in the conservation of natural areas and species on their lands. Indigenous people comprise five percent of the world‟s population but embody 80% of the world‟s cultural diversity. They are estimated to occupy 20% of the world‟s land surface but nurture 80% of the world‟s biodiversity on ancestral lands and territories. India has a large number of tribal people who still belong to a social set-up, of which very little is known. These tribes who stay in different parts of the country are still to come out of their traditional way of life and join the mainstream. Not-with-standing this apparent aloofness, these tribes are very much a part of Indian society. Having a culture and tradition that is distinctly different from others, the tribes still occupy the yet to be discovered horizons. Modern India has many indigenous tribes, that even today, have been able to retain their primitive customs and their lives are directly associated with their natural surroundings. The tribals in India, are the pro-environmental communities who are fighting to protect rivers, lands and forests that are the sources of their livelihood. The congruity that exists between local tribal and Nature only helps in making tribal territories full of exotic bio- diversities. In the western part of the country, in Rajasthan and Gujarat one can witness a way of life that is colorful, while in South India, the skillful craftsmanship of Todas of Nilgiri Hills will fascinate. Their pastoral way of life clearly brings out the beauty in simplicity. In Central India, in the picturesque Jharkhand, you will get to see the Santhals and the tribals of Bastar. The Santhals are one of the oldest tribals living in India. Again, the north-eastern tribes of India are known for their traditional songs and dances, their colorful handmade clothing and intricately woven bamboo handicrafts. There are often more to be seen than what meet the eyes. The tribal society is always a thing of great interest. With a well chalked out tour to any of these places you will be able to explore the roots of a multicultural and multilingual India, where unity in diversity is the essence of national spirit. 2.0 Tribes of India Muria: The people of Muria tribe are inhabitants of Bastar district in the state of Chhattisgarh. They are relatively prosperous when compared to other tribes in the district. They are self sufficient in producing chickpeas, dal and lentils. The tribe follows pre-marital sex. The youth are expected to engage in sexual activities while they are discouraged to become emotionally attached to the sex partner. The Muria tribe worships village and clan deities. Korwa: People of Korwa tribe live in the hills and forests of Chhoanagpur, Chhattisgarh. The Korwa community consists of four sub groups namely Agaria Korwa, Dam Korwa, Dih Korwa and Pahar Korwa. All four sub groups worship the same deity named Dih. People of Korwa tribe speak Korba language, which is also known as Ernga, Singli and Bhashi. Kamar: Kamar is one of the tribes in India who lives in the Raipur and Rewa districts of Madhya Pradesh. Their local language is called Kamar. Military service is considered to be their traditional occupation. Farming is the occupation of most of the Kamar people. There are four sub groups called Gots in the Kamar tribe. They follow Hinduism and each home has its own family God. 3 Munda: Munda people are found in Indian states of Jharkhand, Assam, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Tripura and Madhya Pradesh and in Bangladesh. Munda is one of the largest tea tribes of the nation. They speak Mundari language. The contemporary culture of the Munda people is a mix of Sarnaism and Christianity. The traditional occupation of Munda people is hunting, but now-a-days they are employed in various sectors. Kharia: The Kharia people are found in the Indian states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Assam. There are a few inhabitants in Andaman Islands also. There are mainly three tribes which constitute the entire Kharia. They are: Dudh Kharia, Dhelki Kharia, and Hill Kharia. They practice hunting, gathering and collecting of forest resources for their livelihood. Juang: Juang tribal people are the inhabitants of Gonasika hill range in the state of Odisha. They belong to the Munda ethnic group. The primitive Juang people were mainly hunters and gatherers. Father and all females of one family live together in a hut, whereas boys live in separate huts at the entrance of their village. They were forced to take up basket weaving as their occupation after the British declared their forests as reserves. The Juang people worshipped forest spirits in the olden days. The contemporary Juang people worship Laksmi and are considered as a Hindu caste with basket- making as occupation. Bhumij: The people of Bhumij tribe can be found in the Indian states of Assam, Jhakhand, Odisha and West Bengal. They speak Mundari language. The term Bhumij means one who is born from soil. Although they have traditional beliefs, the modern Bhumij people adopted Hinduism as their religion. Koya: Koya tribal people are inhabitants of Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha. They are also referred to as Koi, Koyalu, Koyollu and so on. Their language is known as Koya, which does not have a script. The Koya people are primarily cultivators and artisans. Galo: The Galo tribe people live in the central eastern Himalayas. They are the descendents of Abotani and speak Galo language. They are also referred with names such as Duba, Doba, Dobah Abor, Gallong Abor, Galong, Gallong Adi, etc. The Galo people follow monogamy, but