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We met adivasis who had been persecuted by the Naxalites, and other adivasis who had been tormented by the Salwa Judum vigilantes [i.e. “a strange, not to say bizarre, example of bipartisan co-operation“]. The situation of the community was poignantly captured by one tribal, who said […] “placed between the Maoists and the vigilantes, we … Read more

Showcasing the lifestyle of the Koya community: Tribal museum and Sammakka–Saralakka Jatara festival at Medaram village – Telangana

With the exclusive tribal museum becoming operational on Tuesday, devotees thronging to the historic Medaram village for the Sammakka–Saralakka jatara can now get an insight into the life and culture of Adivasi and Koya tribes. […] The circular museum building, decorated with murals, has been attracting the devotees to get to know the lifestyle and … Read more

Selected writings by anthropologist Verrier Elwin (1902-64)

The Oxford India Elwinby G.N. Devy (ed.) 440 Pages | 80 line illus. & photographsISBN: 9780195697919, Rs. 795From presenting Elwin’s work among the tribal peoples of central India, to affording glimpses of his seminal work on the unique institution of the ghotul among the Murias of Bastar, or relating Elwin’s attempts at understanding the high incidence of murder … Read more

eBook | Demographic Status of Scheduled Tribe Population of India (Census figures 2011): Government of India

Read or download the complete backup document (PDF, 1,7 MB)For information on the “Population of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PTGs) in India from 1961 to 2001”, please refer to p. 16 Tribes with more than 5 Lakh [o,5 million] of Population as per census 2001 Source: “Demographic Status of Scheduled Tribe Population of India”, Government … Read more

Elephants & tigers: Recurring motifs and issues for India’s tribal communities

“The tribals I was told about are elephant people. As far back as any one can remember, they have taken care of elephants. They understand elephants as no one else does. They grow up with elephants, and the elephants with them.” – Edward Rice in Mother India’s Children >> Some tribal communities inhabit regions where wild animals … Read more