CURRICULAR MODULE

Iryna Babik, Department of Psychological Science, Boise State University

This curricular module could be used for undergraduate or graduate university students exploring the culture and traditions of India. Specifically, in this curricular module, students will explore language, cultural traditions, and everyday life of different tribal groups in India.

Task: Students are assigned to read the descriptions of the tribes below and requested to compare there traditions. What are the similarities and differences between these groups? Students work in a table noting specifics and commonalities. The final outcome product is a 3-page paper that outlines those cultural comparisons.

GREAT ANDAMANASE

The Great Andamanese are the indigenous people of the Great Andaman archipelago in the Andaman islands. They live with four other aboriginal groups of the Andaman Islands, i.e., Onge, Jarwa, Jangil, and Sentinelese. The Andamanese people are considered as Negrito, owing to their dark skin and diminutive stature, and have frizzy hair. At present, there are only 53 left of them.

They speak the Great Andamanese language. The language is classified within the Ongan linguistic family due to its distinctiveness. The Great Andamanese are further subdivided into 10 sub-divisions. Each tribe has its own language, but they are mutually intelligible. Jeru, Khora, and Andamani Hindi are some of the languages.

All Andamanese traditionally live as hunter-gatherers and appear to have lived in substantial isolation for thousands of years. Their only weapons are the bow, adzes, and wooden harpoons. They are also seafarers.

A majority of them have painted bodies as well. They usually sleep on leaves or mats. Their folktales deal with various themes of cannibalism, headhunting, adultery, honor killing, domestic violence, and hunting. They are animist and believe that all living things have the power to affect human and universe.

THE ONGE

The Onge are an Andamanese ethnic group, indigenous to the Andaman Islands in Southeast Asia at the Bay of Bengal, currently administered by India. The Onge call themselves En-iregale, which means ‘perfect person’. The total population of the tribe is 101 (2011 census).

They speak Onge, one of the Ongan languages. They are designated as a Scheduled Tribe of India.

They are traditionally hunter-gatherers and fishers, but also practice plant cultivation. The first and foremost characteristic of the Onges’ economy is the close relationship between their economic life and the natural environment or habitat, which is, in general, the forest and coastal areas. They depend on sea produce like fish, dugong (sea mammal), and turtle.

The Onge tribal people give preferences to decorate their face and body, sometimes they mix the clay with red ochre, saliva, and turtle fat and apply the mixture to the whole body.

The native Andamanese religion and belief system is a form of Animism. Ancestor worship is an important element in the religious traditions of the Andaman islands. They worship nature.

The Nicobarese are a designated Scheduled Tribe of India. They are found in Andaman and Nicobar (Great Nicobar) island, north of the Sumatra island. According to the Census 2011 estimates, their total population is 36,842.

Nicobarese speak Nicobarese language, which is a part of the Austro-Asiatic linguistic family. Some of them also speak Hindi. Natives of all the islands speak different dialects of the Nicobarese language.

The Nicobarese have a traditionally horticultural economy. They base their monetary existence on the growing of coconuts, pandanus, areca nut palms, bananas, mangoes, and other fruits. They also hunt, fish, raise pigs, make pottery, and make canoes.

The Nicobarese are headed by a matriarchal chief. The men and women have equal status. The women are valued economically since they are involved in household duties, plantations, and gardens

The Nicobarese dance is performed during the Ossuary Feast or the Pig festival in the islands of Car Nicobar. The dance is devoted to the deceased head of the family. The dancers, dressed in coconut fronds, lock arms with their neighbors and move in a circle with rhythmic steps, lifting the right and left legs alternately. The beat of the dance is kept on the tallag, a big metal gong that is struck with a padded stick.

THE KHASI

The Khasi people are an ethnic group of Meghalaya in North-East India with a significant population in the bordering state of Assam. The Khasi people form the majority of the population of the eastern part of Meghalaya. The total population of the Khasi tribe in India is 1,427,711.

Khasi people speak the Khasi language (an Austroasiatic language family). They have been granted the status of Scheduled Tribe under the Constitution of India.

Their economy is based on agriculture. They are famous for weaving cane mats, stools, and baskets. The main crops produced by the Khasi people are betel leaves, areca nut, oranges, pineapples, plums, litchis, and local varieties of rice and vegetables.

Their important festival is Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem or Dance of the Joyful heart. Nongkrem dance is a religious festival in thanksgiving to God for good harvest, peace, and prosperity. The traditional Khasi male dress is Jymphong and the female dress is Jainsem.

THE ORAON

The Oraons are one of the five largest tribes in India. They live in the forested uplands of East-Central India, occupying the Chota Nagpur region of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. According to the Census 2011, the total population of the Oraon tribe is 3,142,145.

Their language is Kurukh, which is a member of the Northern subgroup of the Dravidian language family. Being multilingual, they use Hindi and Sadri, a local dialect, to communicate with non-Oraon groups. This language has been listed as a “vulnerable” language in UNESCO’s list of endangered languages.

The main festivals of the Oraons are Karma, Khaddi, Soharai, Maghe, Fagu, etc. A unique tribal festival celebrated by Oraon women once every twelve years is the Mukka Sendra (also known as Janni Shikar). Every Oraon village has its dancing ground (akhra) where the dance meetings are held. Sometimes, several villages will participate in a Jatra.

The tribe is divided into many clans which are associated with animals, plants, and mineral totems. An important feature of the social life of a village is the bachelors’ dormitory for unmarried males. The bachelors sleep together in the dormitory, which is usually on the outskirts of the village. There is a separate house for the females. The dormitory institution serves in the socializing and training of the young.

THE KORWA

Korwa tribe are concentrated in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand districts of India. Korwa are also found in the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. The Census 2011 estimates suggest the population of Korwa to be 1563 in Uttar Pradesh.

They predominantly speak Korwa or Kodaku/Koraku which belong to the Munda branch of the Australoasiatic linguistic family. Alternative names of the Korwa language are Ernga and Singli. They call their language as Bhashli.

Main source of livelihood of Korwa tribe is hunting and collection of minor forest products. The subsistence agriculture is practiced among them known as jhoonga kheti. It involves trimming of forest to support lentil crop.

Both men and women get tattooed in place where ornaments are worn – on the wrists, neck, above the breasts, legs, and ankles. Korwa tribe believe in traditional cures by use of medicinal plants.

Some of the major festivals celebrated by the Korwa people include Hareli, Navakhani, Ganga Sarhul, Chhera, Dushhara, Dipawali, Kartika, Karma, and Dushara. All the festivals are celebrated as per their age-old traditions and customs which bring a sense of social anxiety and unity within the society.

THE BHUIYA

The Bhuiya tribe is found in the states of Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Their name is derived from the Sanskrit word bhumi, which means “land.” The Census 2011, their population in Uttar Pradesh is 4095.

Opinions differ about the linguistic affinity of the tribe. The Bhuiya speak an Indo-Aryan language.

The main economic activities are tuned to cultivation (kamani) of paddy, other cereals, lentils, and vegetables. The crafts of basket and mat making are common for both domestic consumption and trading, primarily through the tribal markets. The crafts of basket and mat making are common among them. It is utilized for both domestic consumption and trading through the tribal markets.

The Council of elders decide on the disputes within and between villages. The sacerdotal head is the Dihuri under the chairmanship of Naik, the village headman. Everyone participates in the decision making until a consensus is reached.

The sun god and his consort, the earth goddess, are supreme deities. Dancing and singing, especially by the youth, are an integral part of their life. The dance of villagers in front of the community hall is very common during the festivals. The settlement is generally surrounded by hills and forests. Villages are located either in valley regions, on hill slopes, or on tableland.

THE BHOTIYA

In India, the Bhotia inhabit a vast area bordering Tibet and Nepal and are found in three states of the country – Sikkim, West Bengal, and Uttarakhand. In Uttarakhand, the Bhotia primarily reside in the districts of Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Almorah, Uttarkashi, and Nainital. As per the 2011 Census, there were a total of 39,106 Bhotia in Uttarakhand with ST status.

They speak various dialects of Tibeto-Burman language family. Most of them are multilingual and speak Hindi, Garhwali, and Nepali.

The Bhotia are a landowning community, their traditional occupation was trade. Agriculture, Animal husbandry and cottage industry formed their subsidiary occupations. They are pastoral in nature and live a semi-nomadic lifestyle. The cattle graze in the Bugyals which are high altitude pastures.

They occupy 7 major river valleys and are named accordingly. Each group is endogamous but share common culture.

Kandali festival is celebrated when the Stinging Nettle plant blooms between August and October. It begins with a Shivlinga Puja. A community feast is also organized as Savdhoomo Sabha. The people dance to their folk songs.

THE HO

The Ho are the fourth largest Scheduled tribe in Jharkhand after the Santhals, Kurukhs, and Mundas. Ho tribe belongs to Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar. According to Census 2011, their total population is 1,658,104.

Ho people speak Ho language, which belongs to the Austro-Asiatic linguistic family. Ho tribals call themselves as the Ho, Hodoko, and Horo, which mean ‘human’ in their own language.

Almost half of the population is engaged in cultivation and another one third of their population work as landless agricultural labourers.

Ho village life revolves around five main parab or festivals. The most important festival, Mage Parab, takes place in the late winter month of Magha and marks the completion of the agricultural cycle. Sohrai or Gaumara is the most important agricultural festival.

Most villages have a dedicated dancing ground, called Akhra, usually consisting of a cleared space of hard ground under a spreading tree. Traditional Ho music incorporates native instruments including a Dama (drum), Dholak, Dumeng (mandar), and the Rutu (flute).

THE PANIKA

The Panika are of Dravidian origin. The Panika live primarily in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and the Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh. They are also known as Panka or Panikar.

Their primary language is Chattisgarhi and Odia of Indo-Aryan linguistic group. They also speak Hindi and Urdu in parts of Uttar Pradesh.

The Panika tribe is divided into two broad groups: the Kabirpanthi (the largest group) and the Sakta. The Kabirpanthi Panika have farmed the fertile river basin area for years and are prosperous. The Sakta Panika have been much more hesitant to settle on farms and begin raising cattle. They still rely heavily on hunting and gathering for survival. Their traditional trade of cloth weaving is gradually becoming obsolete due to the rapid production of mill-made cloth in their area.

The Panika live in multi-ethnic villages alongside the Gond, the Baiga, the Pardhi, and other tribes. They are organized into a number of groups, which are mostly named after various plants and animals.

THE THARU

The Tharu community belongs to the Terai lowlands, amid the Shivaliks or lower Himalayas. The Tharus live in both India and Nepal. In the Indian terai, they live mostly in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. Tharu is a scheduled tribe in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The Census 2011 estimates their population to be 105,291 in Uttar Pradesh.

They speak languages belonging to the Indo-Aryan linguistic group. It includes Awadhi, Hindi, and Urdu. They also speak a variant of Bhojpuri and Maithili.

They used to practice shifting cultivation. Since the ban on the shifting cultivation, they have started settled agriculture planting rice, wheat, mustard, maize, and lentils. They also collect forest products like medicinal plants and hunt small animals.

The word ‘tharu’ is believed to be derived from ‘sthavir’, meaning followers of Theravada Buddhism. Tharus also worship Lord Shiva as Mahadev, and call their supreme being “Narayan”, who they believe is the provider of sunshine, rain, and harvests. Tharu women have stronger property rights than is allowed to women in mainstream North Indian Hindu custom.

Standard items on the Tharu plate are bagiya or dhikri – which is a steamed dish of rice flour that is eaten with chutney or curry – and ghonghi, an edible snail that is cooked in a curry made of coriander, chili, garlic, and onion.

THE CHERO

Chero people live in Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Most of them live in Palamau, Shahabad, Champaran, and other surrounding districts. There is also a smaller Chero community in Bangladesh. The Chero are classified as Scheduled Tribe in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar. The 2011 Census of India for Uttar Pradesh shows the Chero population as 596.

Chero belong to the Proto-Australoid group. They speak the Sadani, Bhojpuri, Maithili, Nagpuri languages.

They are mainly farmers, with many being substantial landowners. They live near streams to ensure a fresh water supply. The men and women work together in the field. The women folk love to sing while working. Livestock is crucial to them and rear oxen, buffalo, cattle. They also work as shopkeepers or petty traders.

They have a traditional caste council which maintains a strong social control over the community. They are composed of village elders, the headman and the high priest. The Chero people hold their elders in high regard. They practice clan exogamy.

THE BAIGA

The Baiga (means sorcerers) is one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). They are designated as the Scheduled tribe of Uttar Pradesh. They mainly live in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Their population in Uttar Pradesh is 30,006.

The Baiga have lost all traces of their native Australoasiatic language and have assimilated the speech of their neighbors. They adopted Chattisgarhi, Marathi, Hindi, Gondi, and Baigani.

Traditionally, the Baiga lived a semi-nomadic life and practiced slash and burn cultivation. Now, they are mainly dependent on minor forest produce for their livelihood. Bamboo is the primary resource. Today, the Baiga people work mainly as farmers.

Their traditional dance is performed in dress and elaborate costumes with headgear, woven grass braids, peacock feather shafts in their hair, and heavy metallic anklets on their feet. Traditional instruments include a drum called mandar and a wooden instrument with knobs called the thiski. The colorful flowers on top of their heads are called kalgi. Performers wear traditional attire called begasaj.

Their diet consists of coarse grains like millets. Pej, a local drink, made from ground maize or from water left from boiling rice is quite popular among them. Tattooing is an integral part of Baiga culture, every age and body part has a specific tattoo reserved for the occasion.

THE AGARIA

The Agarias had spread from central Bihar and Orissa to the rest of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The tribal designation applies only for the Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh. The 2011 Census of India shows their population in Uttar Pradesh as 5,803.

They speak the Agaria language along with Hindi and Chattisgarhi.

They cater to the village economy with their cottage industry of iron products. They are mainly blacksmiths by profession and prepare agricultural implements like axes, sickles, ploughshares made of iron. They believe that they are first who founded iron ore and started making use of it. They are the most industrious ones.

The people live in ordinary houses made up of soil and grass. They tend to live in close association with the Baiga and Gond due to professional relations.

The Agaria tribe observe different festivals like Navakhani, Dussehra, Diwali, Holi, and Karma Pooja. The festivals are accompanied with various dances like Karma, Saila, Sua Hardili, Bilma, Dadariya. The indigenous gods and goddesses are worshipped during the festivals.

THE KHARWAR

Kharwar is a community found in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, and West Bengal. The total population is 8,145,08. They were re-designated as Scheduled Tribe by the Uttar Pradesh government. Kharwar are classified as Scheduled tribe in Jharkhand.

They speak Bhojpuri, Nagpuri, and Hindi.

The primary traditional economic activity of the Kharwar has been agriculture. They also engaged in other activities like fishing, livestock, hunting, and trapping.

Tattooing is an integral part of their lifestyle. The Khar grass is totem of the Kharwar. The Kharwar also observe festivals at the times Holi, Diwali, and Dassara. Dassara is the occasion during which the Kharwar hold their Bida observance, a sort of sensitizing ceremony in which the men dispose of any spirits that have been troubling them during the past year. The important festivals of Kharwar tribe are Sarhul, Chhatha, Diwali, Durga Puja, Nawakhani, Jitia, Ramnavmi, Sohrai, Phagu, etc.

THE GOND

The Gond is one of the largest tribal groups in India. They mostly live in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Odisha. It has been notified as a Scheduled Tribe. The Census 2011 estimates their population to be 21,992 in Uttar Pradesh.

Gonds are subdivided into four groups:

• Raj Gonds
• Madia Gonds
• Dhurve Gonds
• Khatulwar Gonds

Gondi language is the prime language spoken by Gond tribe of India. Beside this, these Indian tribes also have a good command of Telugu, Hindi, Parsi, and many other Dravidian languages.

Gond tribes of India have a typical Indian dress culture. Male members in the tribe wear Dhoti. Females wear soft cotton sarees along with the Choli or blouse. They are worn during the festival celebration like Madai, Pola, Dussehra.

Paintings of Gonds of Mandla and its surrounding regions have colorful depictions of flora, humans, and animals. The paintings have geometric designs; they are done on the walls of huts. The paintings depict gopis with pots on their heads, and cows surrounding Krishna.