Adivasi / Adibasi

“Adivasi [Adibasi] – which is derived from Sanskrit – is applied to the dark-skinned or Austro-Asiatic indigenous groups of India (usually those from Eastern India). It is a commonly-used term in Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha. It is also used by the local Mongoloid tribes of North Eastern India for the migrant workers who were brought in as indentured labourers to work in tea plantations during the colonial period. ‘Tribal’ is a very broad term in the English language, as we all know, and includes all the different indigenous groups of India.” – Santali poet, scholar and translator Ivy Imogene Hansdak (email dated 27 March 2020)
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=23032

eBooks | Adivasi literature, a “distinct theme with many new voices”: Bhasha Research and Publication Centre – Gujarat

by

Bhasha is not an acronym. The term ‘bhasha’ means in most Indian languages, ‘language’, ‘speech’, ‘definition’ or ‘voice’. Bhasha Research and Publication Centre was founded in 1996 for study, documentation and conservation of Non Scheduled languages not protected by the Constitution of India. In the initial years, Bhasha focused on languages of Adivasi and Nomadic communities, many … Read more

Free eBooks & Magazine by Bhasha Research and Publication Centre: Adivasi literature and languages

by

The Indian Constitution recognizes only 22 languages. Of these only two adivasi languages, Santhali and Bodo are included in the Schedule of Languages. As per the 1991 Census there are 96 other languages having at least 10,000 speakers and 263 languages having even fewer speakers. The Non Scheduled languages being largely oral in nature have … Read more

Tribal communities have a right to collect, use and sell bamboo: “The adivasi is not the enemy of the forests”

by

“Today, bamboo is liberated,” proclaimed Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh at a function here on Wednesday, where he handed over to Mendha’s community leader Devaji Tofa a transit pass that would allow the sale and transportation of bamboo within the community. Ever since bamboo was given the status of a … Read more

Tip | Adivasi Legal Provisions, Languages, Locations – Bhasha Research and Publication Centre

by

Adivasi Legal Provisions, Languages, Locations Author : Compilation at Bhasha CentrePublisher : Bhasha Research and Publication CentreEdition : First EditionPrice : INR 250Language : EnglishNo. of Pages : 216ISBN No. :NILDescription : The book presents the Adivasi communities of India, their locations and the languages they speak. The publication contains all laws related to the Denotifed and Nomadic Communities. It is useful as a … Read more

A tribal artist’s illustrations role in primary education – Gujarat

by

He used to draw pithoras on cloth. When Bhasha started the Bol magazine for tribal children, we invited Desing to draw the illustrations. Desing has not been to school and therefore the stories were read out to him. His illustrations, detailed and spontaneous, became extremely popular with children. The Bol magazine is subscribed by Gujarat’s … Read more