Names of tribal communities, regions and states of India

Source: Govt. of India | Date Accessed: 6 April 2017 | Backup (PDF, 20 KB)

Find out more with the help of “Safe Search”

Type “bhil tribe india” or simply “Bhil custom” to learn more about the Bhil community

For some names like “Mari” it is advisable to include “tribal india” or “tribe india” in your search: type “madia maria tribe india” for the community variously known as Maria or Madia

Use different combinations like “munda tribe india video” or “khasi india music video“

Up-to-date reports by Indian journalists and commentators

To search Indian periodicals, magazines, web portals and other sources safely, click here. To find an Indian PhD thesis on a particular tribal community, region and related issues, click here >>

Names of tribal communities found on this website

Please note: this page serves the purpose of orientation without being comprehensive; an official list of tribal communities (“State/UT wise population”) is found here >>

Adiya Andamanese Angami Ao Apatani Asur Baiga Banjara Bettakurumba Bhatra Bhil Bhilala Bhumij Birhor Birjia Bisonhorn Maria Bodo Bonda Chakma Chaudhari Chenchu Chero Dehwali Dongria Kondh Dorla Gadaba Garo Gond Great Andamanese Gujjar Halakki Halba Ho Irula Jaintia Jarawa Jenu Kuruba Kaani (Kani) Kadar Karbi Kattunayakan (Kattunaika, Kattunaicken) Katunaikar Kawar Kharia Khasi Khond Kol Kolam Konda Reddi (Kondareddi) Kondh Konyak Koraga Korku Kota Koya Kuki Kunkna Kurukh Kurumba Kutia Kondh Lambada Lepcha Limbu Madia Malayarayar Mannan Maria Mina Mishing Mizo Monpa Mudugar Muduvan Mullukurumba Munda Muria Muthuvan Naga Nicobarese Onge Oraon Paliyar Paniya Paniyar Raj Gond Rathwa Sabar Saharia (Sahariya) Santal (Santhal) Saora Saura Savara Sentinelese Shompen Sidhi (Siddi) Soliga Tiwa Toda Warli Yerukula

Points to consider

Some of India’s “tribal” (Adivasi) communities live on more than one national territory (e.g. the Santals of India and Bangladesh).

“Tribal” is a very broad term in the English language; here it is understood as including all the different indigenous groups of India.

Learn more about India’s 28 States and 8 Union Territories: Information provided by the Government of India – From Andhra Pradesh to West Bengal

Regions noted for their wealth of tribal heritage: culture & ecology

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Bastar

Chotanagpur

Gadchiroli

Narmada

Nilgiri Biosphere | Bake Restudy Project (UCLA Digital Library)

Seven Sister States & Sikkim

Wayanad

Western Ghats

Regional Zonal Cultural Centres

Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata
Eastern region – Eastern Zonal Council

North Central Zone Cultural Centre, Prayagraj
Uttar Pradesh

North East Zone Cultural Centre, Dimapur
Seven Sister States & Sikkim – North Eastern Council

North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala
Northern region – Northern Zonal Council

South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur
Central region – Central Zonal Council

South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur
Southern region – Southern Zonal Council

West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur
Western region –  Western Zonal Council

Up-to-date information: Zonal Cultural Centres >>

Tip: click on any red marker for details on endangered languages in a particular region of India.
Please note: facts and figures cited in map entries (via hyperlinks) often require updates (fact checking) | Cultural invisibility – India’s 600 potentially endangered languages | Linguistic Survey of India (official website) >>