UNIT 2 TRIBES OF RAJASTHAN, AND

Structure 2.0 Objectives 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Tribes of Rajasthan 2.3 Tribes of Uttarakhand 2.4 Tribes of Uttar Pradesh 2.5 Let Us Sum Up 2.6 Further Readings and References

2.0 OBJECTIVES The main objective of this Unit is to understand in detail the various tribes existing in the states of Rajasthan, Uttarkahand and Uttar Pradesh and to study how their cultures are different from one another. The study of these tribes would help us to increase our ability to distinguish between tribes of the three states and also learn many important things about their culture and ways of life.

2.1 INTRODUCTION as we know encompasses different cultures, languages, traditions and food habits. The tribal population in India comprises of at least two third of the entire population of the nation. Tribal cultures and traditions may in many ways seem similar, but they are indeed different to a very large extent. The tribes of north India, south India, east India and west India, may find some commonality in their ancestral immigrations to other parts of India and may share some similarities in their languages but it is fascinating to know that in various such similarities, we would find very many peculiar and noticeable dissimilarities too.

2.2 TRIBES OF RAJASTHAN The state of Rajasthan is situated in the north-west region of the Indian Sub-continent. It is a neighbouring state of Gujarat and Haryana. The tribes of Rajasthan are said to be the original inhabitants of Rajasthan. These tribes of Rajasthan state comprises of about twelve percent of the total population of the state. The major concentration of these tribes of Rajasthan is found mainly in the foothill of Vindhya, Aravalli mountain ranges. According to Census (2011), there are twelve Scheduled Tribes in Rajasthan. Among the tribal population of Rajasthan, Bhil tribe occupies the major position. Another scheduled tribe of this state which has got importance is Meena Tribe. Other major tribes found in the state of Rajasthan are Damor, Dhanka Sakasia, Kathodi, Koli, 16 Dhor,Naikoda and Seharia. Tribes of Rajasthan, Bhil Tribe Uttarakhand and The Bhil tribes are the biggest of the aboriginal tribes of Rajasthan. Their origin is mainly Uttar Pradesh that of the Dravidian family group. The name Bhil is derived from Dravidian word bhilawar, which means archer. The Bhil population of Rajasthan is distributed entirely in the districts of Banswara, Dungarpur and Udaipur and the whole area of south-west Rajasthan. The Bhils are traditionally hunters and gatherers and follow a rudimentary lifestyle. In the past, Bhil people used to reside in dense forests. Bhils mostly speak Bhili languages and they are Scheduled Tribes. Bhili is their dialect which is an Indo-Aryan language. Their dialect also includes Rajasthani, Gujarati, , Marathi words, and also some unique words without any non- elements in it. Though they are excellent warriors, to earn their livelihood they mainly work as peasant farmers, field labourers, and village watchmen. The Bhils are highly religious by nature and they worship several Hindu . They are superstitious too and wear charms and amulets for keeping off all kinds of evil spirits. They are mainly engaged in farming and cultivation. The Bhil people have a rich indigenous culture. Ghoomar dance is one of the popular aspects of Bhil culture. Sawang is a popular form of entertainment among the Bhil tribes. The costumes of the Bhil tribes display a distinct characteristic that goes well with the rustic but ethnic lifestyle. The Bhil woman wears an upper garment called the kapada, a Ghaghra and an odhna. The women of this community wear an intricate and complicated hairstyle. The costume of a Bhil man comprises a turban, an angi, tunic and a lower garment called ‘potario‘. Bhil men also keep a pacheri or shawl on their person. The rich Bhils are well dressed now in Pagri and Dhoti and a short Jacket Angarakha and carry a piece of cloth, which can be used as a belt. The Bhil tribes are considered as jovial and entertaining community who maintain their social and cultural echelon in a perfect level by enjoying different festivals with a persistence of religious beliefs. Check Your Progress I Note: Use the space provided for your answer. 1) Discuss in brief the Bhil Tribe of Rajasthan...... Garasia Tribe The Garasia tribe of Rajasthan spreads over the regions of Udaipur, Dungarpur, Sirohi and Pali districts. 17 Tribals of the Despite their appalling poverty, the lives of the Garasia tribe are anything but a gloomy Northern India and grim affair. In order to make life more enjoyable and lively, the people of this tribe have maintained a pattern of living socially corporate and economically individualistic life. They conduct variable feasts of colour and are highlighted always by their community dancing. Such fairs and festivals bring the people of Garasia tribe together and becomes a meeting ground for young and old alike. The Garasia tribe maintains a mixture of and for their form of religion. They usually worship the Hindu Gods and respect the cow. As superstitious people they are terribly afraid of ghosts, spirits and black-magic. Socially amusing and interesting people, the Garasia tribes are a very hard-working people. They are primarily agriculturalists but their productions are usually inadequate. They live in forests and collect gum, honey, bamboo and other products. They earn their livelihoods by selling these forests products. Mina/Meena Tribe This particular tribe of Rajasthan is mostly populated in the areas of Amber (now Jaipur), in the east, north-east and south-east of Rajasthan. Although they claim noble descent from the Matsya Avatar or also known as the fish incarnation of Vishnu, their numerous sects and clans have been disintegrated due to the fall of the rulers of this tribe in the various territories of the region centuries ago. The Minas are usually sturdy, courageous people full of stamina. Besides these main characteristics, they support their claim of ancient Kshatriya origin from the vedic ‘Mehna’. This community shares space with other communities including the community of Bhil tribe. The Minas are and are ranked above all the rural or hill communities. Their main Gods are Bhairon, Hanuman and Krishna as well as the Devis. They are highly superstitious and take great care to please their ancestors. Occupationally, the Minas are divided into two classes, the agricultural or Baragaon Minas and the Chowkidar Minas. The Minas form one great community, but are divided amongst themselves. They follow the Panchayati system of the Indian government. Marriages and other festivals among this tribe are common with other tribes in this region. They mainly follow the Hindu ceremonies and festivals. The famous fairs of Teej and Gangaur are rendered colourful by Mina men and women and children. They are a community usually fond of social gatherings and meets and usually indulge in song and dances during such occasions. Sehria or Sahariya Tribe This tribe in Rajasthan is considered to be populous in the district of Kota in Rajasthan. The Sehri tribes were originally Bhils but they got their name after the Muslim ruler Shahabad. They do not own lands of their own like other tribal groups and work as landless labourers in other’s farms. The social condition of the Sehrias is equally disappointing. They live in the interiors of the jungles and are aloof from the outside communities. Their mode of life remains static and a kind of untouchability is also prevalent. 18 Marriages are performed early during childhood and they do follow a form of bigamy. Tribes of Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and The Sehrias follow the Hindu form of religion and believe in Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Uttar Pradesh The ensemble of both men and women of this tribe is similar to the people outside their communities. Meghval Tribe There are various stories regarding the origin of the Meghvals. The men of this community are expert in weaving and the women excel in embroidery. The Meghval were originally associated with tanning and manufacturing of leather articles. The Meghval community originated from Marwar region in Rajasthan but they are also prevalent in some regions of Gujarat near the border. But in present days, the people of this community have become concerned about the importance of education and being educated citizens they are now employed in Government jobs in cities and in villages. Their houses display a sense of creativity in style and embroidery. This particular tribal group is hard–working and are famous for geometrically designed dye of different shapes and colours. The people of Meghval community are basically Hindu and are said to be the descendants of Rishi Megh. The Meghval people are the followers of “pir pithoro” and his shrine is located near Mirpur khas in Pithoro village. The religious, social and cultural side of the community is reflected in the costumes they wear. The people of Meghval community have separated the dressing code for men and women of different age groups. The people of Meghval community display a wide array of variation in clothes. The married women of this community wear the ‘kanchli’ as the upper garment. The ghaghra is in bright colours like red and pink. The women wear a variety of wraps in winter and one of the most popular wraps is the ‘reta’, which is an embroidered shawl. The women of Meghval community are fond of jewelleries and they use them in their regular wears. The men of the Meghval community generally dress in white from head to toe. The traditional ensemble of the men is dhoti, safa and puthia. Nowadays the men also wear kurta pajama besides the traditional attire of Dhoti and bands.

2.3 TRIBES OF UTTARAKHAND The state of Uttarakhand is divided between several areas of the original state. It lies between the Himalayan Range and the three eastern districts of Kumaon and the five northern districts of Garhwal. The region is considered to be early settlements of the Aryan tribe. The region is a rich cultural area comprising of several traditions and cultures extending from Hindukush in the West to Central in the East, being an integral part of the vast cultured canvas of the Himalaya as a whole. The state of Uttarakhand has been a very recent addition to the and is situated at the northern region of the Indian sub-continent. This state was initially a part of Uttar Pradesh. The present name Uttarakhand is of a very late origin specifically related to the regions of central . We shall now look into the various tribal communities within the region in a very specific form since the state of Uttarakhand has a rich and vast tribal population. Every district of Uttarakhand has more or less a moderate percentage of tribal population. In the state of Uttarakhand, the main concentration of tribal population is in the rural areas. It 19 Tribals of the is said that officially Uttarakhand is the home of around five tribes. According the Census Northern India (2011) there are five tribes in Uttarkahand found i.e. Jannsari tribe, Tharu tribe, Raji tribe, Buksa tribe and . These tribes of Uttarakhand have been scheduled in the Constitution of India. Historical records suggest that the tribes of Uttarakhand are earliest settlers of this region of North India. In the past, their main concentrations were confined to remote hilly and forested areas. The tribes of Uttarakhand have retained their age old traditional ways of living. They represent the distinctive culture and traits of a primitive life. The tribal population of Uttarakhand is 291903 which accounts for only 2.89 per cent of the total population of the state. Jannsari Tribe The Jannsari tribe of Uttarakhand amounts up to approx. 30.57 per cent of the population of the state. The people of this tribe are considered to have a very distinct tribal form of life. It is very difficult to identify a Jaunsari tribal person since they have a physical appearance similar to that of a Mongoloid race and also of the earlier Indo-Aryan inhabitants in the Himalayan provinces. The entire community has been divided into castes such as Koltas and . Khasas are the early settlers of this region in the Himalayas. Their distinct traits and ethnicities constitute a unique culture of the whole of Jaunsari tribe of Uttarakhand. Professionally they do not have specific form of occupation but work as land laborers in the farms of rich people or possess small amounts of land. In agricultural economy, the animal husbandry is of great importance. The Jaunsari lead an agriculturalist-cum- pastoral life. Hence, cattle are reared for twin purposes –ploughing fields and for milk products. Cows, ox, Buffaloes, goats, sheep, are reared commonly by the people. They get meat and wool for their own use in their households and also trade in them. Marriage is an integral part of this tribal community and Polyandry is followed in the society. Their source of entertainment is through folk songs and dances and observes festivals and fairs during harvesting. They believe in a called Mahasu Devta and organize a procession every year in order to devote themselves to this deity. Tharu tribe This particular tribe in Uttarakhand is considered to be the largest of the primitive tribes in the region. This is because of their long time settlements in the forests region of the state and they remain unaffected by the outside world. According to Census (2011) Tharu constitutes the larges tribal population in the state. It accounts 31.29 per cent of the tribal population of the state. The people of this tribe are considered to have developed strong resistances against diseases like Malaria and other diseases due to their settlements in the jungles. The language used by the tribal people of Tharu tribe is similar to that of Sanskrit which requires excessive usage of the tongue. As far as occupation of this Tharu tribal community is concerned, they have been practicing cultivation. These Tharu tribes produce crops like barley, wheat, maize, and . Even they are fond of rearing animals. Chickens, ducks, pigs, and goats, etc, are some of the common animals usually found in almost each and every household of Tharu village. Since several rivers flow through the region today, many Tharu tribes 20 have turned into fishermen. Uniqueness of these Tharu tribes is that they have developed a style of decorating the Tribes of Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and walls with various beautiful decorative items. In order to decorate the houses, the Tharu Uttar Pradesh tribes use several beautiful items. These include rice containers and other objects that can be easily available in their surroundings. Also for outer wall and verandah decoration, colorful paintings of Lakshmi – the Hindu goddess, are much to be seen. Most of them follow Hinduism as religion but some of them also follow Animism, and Christianity. The Tharu household worships their deities in the household in order to protect them from diseases and misfortunes. This tribal community of the state of Uttarakhand is mainly known for “Shamans” who act as doctors in the community. Tribe The Bhotiya tribe of Uttarakhnad is found mainly in the districts of , Chamoli, and Uttarkashi districts. They are a community of the earlier settlers in who have migrated into the Himalayan regions. The Bhotiyas are known as Marchas and in Uttarkashi as Jads. They can be roughly classified as belonging to five groups - the Mana and Niti (in Garhwal) and the Johar, Darma and Byans (in Pithorgarh District). They live at very high altitudes. Before the Chinese took over Tibet, the Bhotiyas, who are a shrewd and enterprising people, carried on wide-scale trade with Tibet in wool, fabrics and sheep-skins. Their cultivation is of primitive style. Their main produce is jute. Their sheep and goats are their mainstays which provide them with wool, hide and fur. They trade in articles made of wood rice, wheat, and other foodstuffs. Hinduism has influenced them and they worship Nanda Devi but they also worship their own set of Gods. Marriages are arranged by parents who exercise complete control over their children and there are no priestly ceremonies or feasting. is practised sometimes but child marriage and widow marriage are rare. They have hardly any property, excepting a few cattle. Buksa Tribe The Buksa tribe of Uttarakhand resides in the south western part of the state mainly in the regions of , Ramnagar, Kaneshpur, etc. There is not much knowledge about this tribe but it is believed that the tribe shares a common language similar to the early inhabitants of Indo- Aryans in the region. The etymology of the term ‘Buksa’ leads to a number of stories as to prove exactness to the appellation used for this tribal community. This is due to the reason that the Buksa ancestors were believed to have owned long beards similar to that of a he-goat (Bok) and hence the name ‘Buksa’. Apart from the racial and anthropological analysis, the Buksa tribe is considered to have similarities and resemblances to a society of the lower Hindu caste. The Buksas believe in Hinduism and worship all Hindu Gods and Goddesses. They celebrate all the festivities which concern the Hindu religion and are devoted followers of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. The Buksa community is an endogamous society and is divided into several sub-groups according to their dwellings popularily known as ‘Kheras’. Marriages are done through the consent of the bride and the groom and it is a patriarchal form of society. The main occupation of the Buksa tribe is agriculture and other 21 agriculturally associated jobs. Tribals of the Northern India The Raji Tribe The last and one of the major tribes in Uttarakhand is the Raji tribe. They are mainly found in the forest areas of Dharchula, Didihat, and Champawat areas of Pithoragarh districts. They are considered to be the original inhabitants of Askot and the areas surrounding the forest area around the Kali River. The people of this tribe are considered to be the most backward and primitive of all the tribes present in Uttarakhand and they are currently living under very miserable and adverse life conditions. They reside mainly in the forest regions, aloof, inaccessible and distant from the ourside world. Apart from this, the Raji tribes have also developed tastes for several ‘wild fruits‘ and ‘tree roots’. The traditional attire of the males and females of this tribe is unique and thereby shows a distinctive way of ensemble different from the rest of the tribal groups in the region. Especially the Raji females have the fascination for colorful and gorgeous clothes. Exquisite jewellery that these Raji females wear also is quite large and heavy. However, as a recent phenomenon, few of these Raji tribes dress in the similar fashion like that of a people belonging to a non tribal community. What is remarkable about these Raji tribes is that though they are ardent followers of Hindu religion, there is plethora of local Gods and Goddesses whom they worship. Position of women in Raji tribal community is held high. Unlike other tribal communities, a Raji woman holds a high position in the marital life. Most of these Raji tribes have built their settlements in the interior regions of the forests. It is only natural that these Raji tribes have taken up the profession of gatherers.

2.4 TRIBES OF UTTAR PRADESH Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state, as well as the world’s most populous sub-national entity. Uttar Pradesh has an important place in the culture of India; it is considered to be the birthplace of Hinduism. It was a centre of nationalism during the British colonial period and has continued to play a prominent role in Indian political and cultural movements. The state has a rich heritage of traditional crafts and cottage industries of various types that employ highly skilled craftsmen and artisans. Tribes of Uttar Pradesh form an integral part and live with a distinct culture of their own. Tharu, Jaunsari, Raji, Bhotia, Gonds and Bhoksa are the six major tribes of Uttar Pradesh. They are mainly found in the present state of Uttarakhand. The tribal population of Uttar Pradesh mostly hails from the hilly regions of Uttar Pradesh. It comprises only a small percentage of the entire population of the state. In spite of innumerable external influences the tribes of Uttar Pradesh have retained their uniqueness and ethnicity. They have distinctive cultural characteristic which can easily be differentiated from the rest of the state. The culturally distinct and ethnic population is divided mainly within three regions like the -bhabhar area near Bahraich district, the Vindhyan tracts near the frontiers and the marginal mountain tracts of Garhwal, Kumaon and Uttarakhand. The Jaunsari tribe occupies the major portion numerically in the state and claims their lineage to both the and the Brahmins. The Terai-bhabhar area is concentrated with the Bhoksas and the Tharus whereas tribes like Agaria, Bhumiyar, Bhil, Chero, Gond, Ghasia, Kol, Oroan, Panika, Parahiya, Korwaa, Pathari and Sahariya dwell near the Vindhyan mountain ranges. Bhoksa, Tharu, Bhotia, Raji and the Jaunsari dwell in the sensitive border areas and 22 have been given the Scheduled Tribe Status by the Constitution of India. Along with the Tharus and the Bhoksas there are some other tribes in Uttar Pradesh who trace their Tribes of Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and origin from the Mongoloids and the Khasas of the Himalayan region belonging to the Uttar Pradesh Indo-Aryan stock. As far as the occupation of the tribes in Uttar Pradesh is concerned, it has been found that the Koltas till the land for the Khasa tribe. The Jaunsaris can be termed as labourers as they mostly work as labourers in fields, farms and forests. The Bajgi tribe has taken up the profession of tailoring. Certain tribes of Uttar Pradesh like the Ghasias, Agarias and the Panikas serve the Gonds, though in the present day the Gonds have lost their status of supremacy. Liquor is among the most favourite of all the tribes in Uttar Pradesh. Rice Beer is a very popular alcoholic drink among the tribes and is prepared by the Tharus, Kathawaras and the Dangwarias. The Kora and the Raji tribe depend mainly on wild fruits and tree roots for their daily consumption. Although in the present day the tribes of Uttar Pradesh put on the dresses which the other inhabitants of the state wear but traditionally they prefer gaudy outfits and jewelry. The tribes of Uttar Pradesh have their own religious beliefs and faiths but interestingly they also worship many of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses. For instance the Kol tribe of the Banda region worships Rama, Sita and Lakshmana because they believe that they are closely associated with them while they were in exile in Chitrakoot. On the other hand, the Sahariya tribe believes that they are closely associated to Shabari who was a poor Bhil woman and had impressed Lord Rama during his visit to Chitrakoot. The tribes of Uttar Pradesh follow a patrilineal and patriarchal structure of society yet the women of the tribal society enjoy a dominant status within their society. Polygamy remains as a status symbol among the tribes of Uttar Pradesh and polyandry is practiced by the Jaunsari tribe. The Korwas and the Bhotias have a custom that on the death of the elder brother, the younger brother can rightfully marry the widow. Merry making and music in the form of song and dance are an integral part of the tribal life in Uttar Pradesh. Both men and women participate in the dances among the Jaunsaris and the Bhotias. The Kols encourage only the women dancers, whereas among the Bhoksas the dancing of a woman is not permitted. The Tharu women are found dancing only during the festival of Holi. Altogether it can be concluded saying that the tribes of Uttar Pradesh have a charming way of life. Their colourful life filled with simplicity has become a significant feature of the state and in fact their diverse culture and way of life are important ingredients in the life of Uttar Pradesh. BUKSA TRIBES Buksa tribes speak the Buksa language, which belongs to the Indo- Aryan language with fluency. The Buksa tribes are concentrated in several districts located in the southwestern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh; the total population of the Buksa tribes has been enumerated to be approximately 4710. As far as the languages is concerned, most of the Buksa tribes converse with each other in Buksa language and seldom in any other languages used to converse with people belonging to other communities. The societal structure of the Buksa tribes is quite traditional, with only minimum changes brought about by the modernization. Status of the females in the Buksa tribal community is also not very significant. The fertility among the Buksa females is relatively high as they marry at a very young age. Since these Buksa have stuck to their age-old traditions 23 Tribals of the and customs, they have developed antipathy towards the modern age and are quite Northern India reluctant to adapt to the modern facilities of the medical science. They believe in the tradition forms of medicine and use their own system of medicine to cure diseases. Check Your Progress II Note: Use the space provided for your answer. 1) Briefly write about the societal structure of the Buksa tribes...... GONDS Gonds are a Dravidian tribe. The Gonds are among the largest tribal groups in South Asia. The term Gond refers to tribal peoples who live all over India’s Deccan Peninsula. Scholars believe Gonds settled in Gondwana, now known as eastern Madhya Pradesh, between the ninth and thirteenth centuries AD. Muslim writers describe a rise of Gond states after the fourteenth century. Gonds kingdom came to be establilshed in Kherla, Betul, Deogarh, Chhindwara, Garha, Mandla, Jubbulpore and Chanda around the 14th century (Raghavaiah 1972). Historians have lauded the prosperity and good governance under the Gond kings. Gonds are similar to many tribal groups today in that they face severe economic hardships. Although some Gond groups own a great deal of land, others are classified as Scheduled Tribes, which means they need special social and economic help. a) Society The Gond society can be divided into three classes (1) the aristocracy called the Raj Gonds. (2) Tenants known as the Dust Gonds and (3) the labourers who were called the Kamias. The society is further divided into clans with their specific totems. Joint families function as the unit for day to day management of their affairs. They hold the agricultural land in common ownership. They are strictly exogamous and cannot accept wives from the same clan or one having the same totem. However, the preferred form of marriage is the cross cousin marriage. d) Religion Persa Pen is the most distinctive feature of Gond religion. Like many other tribes, Gonds worship a high God known as Baradeo, whose alternate names are Bhagavan, Sri Shambu Mahadeo, and Persa Pen. Baradeo oversees activities of lesser gods. He is respected but he does not receive fervent devotion, which is shown only to clan deities. Each Gond clan has its Persa Pen, who protects all clan members. The Persa Pen is essentially good but can be dangerous and violent. Many Gonds believe that when a Pardhan (bard) plays his fiddle, the deity’s fierce powers can be controlled. Gonds believe evil spirits and the Gods’ displeasure cause most diseases and misfortunes. They ask soothsayers and diviners to find out the cause of problems and to suggest remedies. Sometimes, magicians and shamans (healers) can provide this advice. 24 Magicians use special formulas to control the actions of a deity or spirit that is causing Tribes of Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and a particular affliction. Shamans fall into a trance and give voice to the demands of an Uttar Pradesh offended God or spirit. e) Rites of Passage Gonds protect pregnant women against spells and evil influences, and perform several rituals after a baby is born. A mother’s brother generally names a baby boy, while the father’s sister names a girl. Children grow up as part of a family, clan, and phratry (one of the four main divisions of Gond society), and gradually learn the ways of their people. Both boys and girls help guard family crops from birds and monkeys. Males undergo a ritual shaving of the beard, mustache, and eyebrows as a sign of adulthood. Girls are considered full-grown at their first menstruation. g) Family Life Gond society is divided into four groups known as phratries or sagas in Gondi. Each saga traces its descent to one of the four groups of gods who emerged from the cave after their release by the hero Lingal. The saga is divided into several clans (pari) . A clan consists of a group of people who believe they share a common ancestor. Generally, it is good to marry outside the clan. Gonds typically choose their marriage mates, and a tribal council approves the matches. The father of a groom pays a bride price. Gond weddings include many significant ceremonies. The main part of the wedding occurs when the bride and groom walk seven times around a wedding post. Newlyweds live with the groom’s family until it is possible for them to move into a house of their own. Sometimes, Gond matches are made when a groom and bride elope. These marriages must be approved later by relatives and the village council. The council also can approve divorces. h) Clothing Gonds clothing is not very expensive. Gond men typically wear the dhoti, or loincloth. The dhoti is a long piece of white cotton cloth wrapped around the waist and then drawn between the legs and tucked into the waist. Women wear a cotton sari (a length of fabric wrapped around the waist, with one end thrown over the right shoulder) and choli (tight-fitting, cropped blouse). The Gond women are not averse to tattooing and large parts of their bodies are tattooed with stars and figures of men and women. i) Food The staples of the Gond diet are two millets known as kodo and kutki . These are either boiled to a broth or cooked to a dry cereal. Broth is preferred for the first two meals of the day and the dry cereal is eaten at night, often with vegetables. Vegetables are either grown in gardens or collected from forests along with roots and tubers. Honey is also gathered from forests. Rice is a luxury item that Gonds enjoy during feasts and festivals. Most Gonds like meat. j) Cultural Heritage, Crafts and Hobbies Gonds celebrate most festive occasions with song and dance. In some instances, such as with the Dandari dancers, dances retell events from Gond mythology. Gonds have a rich arts tradition that includes pottery, basket making, body tattooing, and floor painting. They paint designs in red and black on the walls of their houses. These drawings often celebrate festivals and depict animals, birds, human figures, hunting, and dancing. Gonds 25 Tribals of the make musical instruments. They carve memorial pillars in wood and stone for their Northern India dead. They often decorate houses with carved doors and panels. Check Your Progress III Note: Use the space provided for your answer. 1) Write in brief about the staple diet among the Gonds...... THARU TRIBE Tharus are the one of the largest tribal community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh. They reside in the interiors of jungles and due to which they have not been influenced by the outer world. A large majority of them are also found in Nepal. These days the Tharus have become farmers and practice cultivation of different variety of products. They produce crops like barley, wheat, maize, and rice. They also engage themselves in rearing of animals and chickens. Ducks, pigs, goats, etc, are some of the common animals usually found in almost each and every household of Tharu village. They have also developed into good fishermen these days. The language of the is beautiful and is derived from Sanskrit. They are strongly built and are dark in colour and have gained resistance to disease like malaria. There is no dearth of cultural exuberance as highlighted in several aspects of it. These include house making, clothing and dance. Multitude of these Tharu tribes resides in large houses. These houses are made up of mud with ‘lattice walls.’ Uniqueness of these Tharu tribes is that they have developed a style of decorating the walls with various beautiful decorative items. They use several beautiful items to decorate their houses. These include rice containers and other objects that are easily available in their surroundings. Tharu tribal community has developed practice of worshipping indigenous deities as well as that of other religions. Although maximum of these Tharu tribes follow Hinduism, there are quite a handful who have taken up other religions like Islam. These Tharus have accepted all the other religions together with their own beliefs and practices. They have their indigenous deities like Bhuinyar and Gorraja in their villages. In household, worship of their family deities is observed in quite an elaborate manner. Special rituals are associated with these worships. Animal sacrifices are done by them in order to appease the deity for various reasons like prevention of diseases or occurrence of natural calamities. A popular legend is that deities are being provided with a bhakal, which is promise of something, in lieu of getting assurances of getting the Gods protection from various omens. Various animals, namely, pigeons and chickens are used for sacrificial purposes. Also milk and beautiful silk clothes are given as offerings. Special rites are also observed at the time of death of any of the members of the Tharu family. In the Tharu society Shamans hold a place of prominence. Those Shamans who act as 26 doctors are called Guruba and make use of some of the ‘Buddhist medicines, for curing diseases. Since the belief is that the diseases can be cured easily if the Gods are pleased, Tribes of Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and the onus of pleasing Gods and defeating evils falls on these Shamans who beat drums Uttar Pradesh and offer sacrifices to please the Gods and defeat the evils. Check Your Progress IV Note: Use the space provided for your answer. 1) Write about the livelihood among the Tharu tribes...... RAJI TRIBE Raji Tribes are socially and economically the most underdeveloped tribes of Central Himalayas regions of Uttar Pradesh. They are one of the several tribes found in India who live in the most underdeveloped conditions. They are also described as ‘van rawat (king of the jungle), van manush (wild man) and van raji (royal people of the jungle). They claim their origins from the Rajputs and consider themselves to be the original inhabitants of the Central Himalayas. They are multilingual and speak language of Tibeto- Burman family. They also use Hindi when communicating with other neighbouring people. They use the Devanagari script. They are believed to be descendents of the kirats who ruled the area in the prehistoric times. Vague ideas about the curative properties of herbs are known to every Raji. This knowledge of medicinal values of herbs and plants has passed down from generations to generations. The local medicine man gives treatment to the village people. Rajis are underdeveloped because of lack of education and poverty. Like several other tribes, these Raji tribes have got addiction towards all types of alcohols. Apart from this, the Raji tribes have also developed tastes for several ‘wild fruits‘ and ‘tree roots‘. Raji females have the fascination for colorful and gorgeous clothes. Exquisite jewelries that these Raji females wear are also quite large and heavy. However, as a recent phenomenon, few of these Raji tribes dress in the similar fashion like that of a people who belong to a non tribal community. Artistic fervor of these Raji tribes is nicely depicted in various art forms. For children beautiful handbags are prepared which have got demand in the local markets as well as that of the whole of the country. These Raji tribes converse with each other in Raji language. What is remarkable about these Raji tribes is that though they are ardent followers of Hindu religion, there is plethora of local Gods and goddesses whom they worship. Position of women in Raji tribal community is held high. In matters of marriage also, these Raji females have enough power and authority. Check Your Progress V Note: Use the space provided for your answer. 1) List some of the synonym by which the Raji Tribes are known...... 27 Tribals of the ...... Northern India ...... JAUNSARI TRIBE Among the multiple tribes found in Uttar Pradesh, this tribe, Juansari tribes gets special mentioning as they enjoy the highest number of people. Jaunsari tribes share a very good relation with other tribes. One finds no difficulty in identifying a Jaunsari tribe who has got salient body features, resembling that of both the Mongoloid as well as Indo - Aryan groups who has settled in the Himalayan provinces. To sustain their livelihood, majority of these Jaunsari tribal communities have taken up the profession of laborers who work diligently in the forest grounds or in farms of the rich people. Since they never owned large land they could not adapt to cultivation. The entire society of Jaunsari tribes is divided into several castes, namely Koltas and Khasas, each having their unique traits and ethnicity, which as a whole constitutes the culture of the Jaunsari tribal community. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the culture of these Jaunsari tribes is quite ennobled. Rituals, customs, festivals, etc, bear a witness of this. Marriage also plays a vital part in the life of both Jaunsari male and female. Amongst the Jaunsari tribes, the practice of polyandry is in vogue. Festivals and fairs are an integral part of the people of Jaunsari tribal community. Bissu, a type of fair marking the harvesting, is quite a significant one. Song and dance are part and parcel of the life of these Jaunsari tribes. Both men and women dance with the rhythm of melodious songs and music especially at the time of festivals and various social functions and affairs. These Jaunsari tribes have developed faith on several deities. Mahasu Devta is one of the principal deities whom each and every tribe of the Jaunsari community reveres. The devotees bring out a procession every year in the month of August showing their reverence to Mahasu Devta. Check Your Progress VI Note: Use the space provided for your answer. 1) Describe the social life of the Jaunsari tribes......

2.5 LET US SUM UP In studying the various tribes of Rajasthan we observe that these tribal communities although different in their origins and classifications within the tribe, have a lot of common features to share. They are indeed a land owning group of people and adhere to agriculture as their main form of occupation.

28 In this unit we then observe that the tribes of Rajasthan share some similarities in their language, traditions, origins and traditional attires. Besides being influenced by several Tribes of Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and climatic, economic and social conditions these tribes share a common integral part as a Uttar Pradesh community in their festivities, dances, attires and occupations. The study of the tribal communities in Uttarakhand helps us to understand that India, as a whole has a lot to offer in terms of culture and its people. Uttarakhand on the other hand is a state that has a very deep and culturally rooted past of several kinds of tribes and people. The five major tribal groups of Uttarakhand are different and specific to their own community and constitute different forms of lifestyle and occupation. These major tribes in the state of Uttarakhand have their origin to be traced with the earlier Indo- Aryan inhabitants in the Indian sub-continent and are basically inhabitants of forests areas of the state. The unit also dealt with the socio-economic, cultural and livelihood practices among the tribes found in Uttar Pradesh. Still some of the tribes in Uttar Pradesh depend on agriculture for their livelihood and each tribe have distinct traditional practices and festivals which are both beautiful and colorful. The tribe also has a distinct dialect which binds them together and their religious practice as well as the rituals of marriage and family life is as distinct. After reading the unit you may have been more aware about the tribes of the regions and their characteristics.

2.6 FURTHER READINGS AND REFERENCES Gahlot, Sukhvir Singh & Dhar, Banshi: Castes and Tribes of Rajasthan. Jodhpur. 1989. Mann, Rann Singh: Culture and Integration of Indian Tribes. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. 1993. Sharma, K. Suresh: Haryana-Past and Present. Haryana. 2006. Singh, K.S.: People of India-Haryana. Vol XXIII. Manohar 1994. W. H. McLeod, Exploring sikhism: aspects of Sikh identity, culture and thought, Oxford University Press, 2000 H.A. Rose. A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province. Bisht, B.S.: Tribes of Uttrachanchal a study of educaton, health, hygiene, and nutrition. Gyan Books. 2006 Sir Denzil Ibbetson. Panjab Castes. Singh, K.S.: People of India – Punjab. Vol XXXVII. Manohar 2003. Das, P. (1990) Inside India. New York: F. Watts Majumdar, D.N. & Mandan, T.N. (2009) An Introduction to Social Anthropology, Mayoor Paperbacks, Noida Pandian, J, (1995), The Making of India and Indian Traditions. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall.

29 Tribals of the Raghavaiah, V. (1972) Tribes of India, Vol-I & II, Bharatiya Adinijati Sevak Sangh, Northern India New Delhi Russell, R.V. (1916) The Tribes and Caste of the Central Provinces of India, MacMillan & Co, London Vol II Sharma. D, (1966), Rajasthan through the Ages: A Comprehensive and Authentic History of Rajasthan, Rajasthan State Archives Vidyarthi, L.P. & Rai, B.K. (1985) The Tribal Culture of India, Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi

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