The Bhil of Central India – Madhya Pradesh – Tribal Cultural Heritage in India

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The Bhil tribe is a proud and ancient ethnic group inhabiting the Western part of Central India with the highest concentration in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh State. Well over 1.5 million of them live as marginal farmers in almost 2000 villages. The members of the Bhil tribe possess a vast array of rich customs and traditions. Their colourful festivals and ceremonies are outbursts of joy and foster their sense of community. Yet they face the challenge of living in a hostile environment ravaged by drought and outbreaks of diseases. Poor infrastructure and lack of academic institutions further aggravate their situation.

Source: Bhil tribal development – Aktionsgemeinschaft Partner Indiens, and Bhil Health Initiative & Literacy Society collaborating in Central India
Address : http://www.bhils.org/index.html
Date Visited: Thu Oct 31 2013 18:18:00 GMT+0100 (CET)

Since illiterate farmers in the villages have shown great interest in receiving basic formal education, BHILS has started night schools in 20 villages and plans to open many more in the entire district. These night schools permit the attendants to do farming during the day and meet in the evenings to study from elementary school books under the guidance of a teacher. Their goal is to pass the Government’s fifth standard exams, which to them signifies emancipation. Under the light of gas lamps, which will be exchanged for solar lamps soon, these gatherings are a great means to teach these individuals about the importance of girls’ education, health and hygiene, and eco-friendly farming.

Source: Bhil tribal development – Aktionsgemeinschaft Partner Indiens, and Bhil Health Initiative & Literacy Society collaborating in Central India
Address : http://www.bhils.org/education/index.html
Date Visited: Thu Oct 31 2013 18:21:53 GMT+0100 (CET)

Bhil Health Initiative and Literacy Society c/o Patrick Bhuriya, 138/2 Madhopura behind Gail township, Jhabua, M.P. 457661 India Telephone: +91-7392-200212; E-Mail: bhils@hotmail.com

Source: Bhil tribal development – Aktionsgemeinschaft Partner Indiens, and Bhil Health Initiative & Literacy Society collaborating in Central India
Address : http://www.bhils.org/contact/index.html
Date Visited: Thu Oct 31 2013 18:24:12 GMT+0100 (CET)

“We have to write our own stories, about our issues, from our own perspectives.” – Abhay Xaxa, a “Fiercely Unapologetic Adivasi Scholar-Activist” | Read more >>

Bhils are listed as Adivasi residents of the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan – all in the western Deccan regions and central India – as well as in Tripura in far-eastern India, on the border with Bangladesh. Bhils are divided into a number of endogamousterritorial divisions, which in turn have a number of clans and lineages. Most Bhils now speak the language of the region they reside in, such as Marathiand Gujarati. They mostly speak a dialect of Hindi.
The Ghoomar dance is one well-known aspect of Bhil culture. […]

Source: Bhil people – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Address: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhil_people
Date Visited: Thu Oct 31 2013

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