Misconceptions

“The adivasi has always been described as a figure of pity by mainstream writers. But there is a group of tribal writers, who, through their literature, are giving an answer to the questions raised on their identity.” – Jitendra Vasava, a lecturer at Adivasi Academy, Tejgadh (Indian Express, 28 February 2010)
http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/symposium-held-on-gujarat-tribal-literature/585310
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=6304

Video | Interview with anthropologist Cristoph von Fürer-Haimendorf on the rapid transition into modernity by a previously untouched tribe: “Apatanis developed fast, not overrun by outsiders” – Assam

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Source: “Interview of Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf by Alan Macfarlane, Part 1 of 3”URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV2aJLFU6_YDate Visited: 11 January 2023 “President Droupadi Murmu said that the high respect given to the women in the Naga society is demonstrated through the fact that the literacy rate among women in the state is higher than the national average, and … Read more

Tip | Anthropology and more

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Learn more about India’s tribal communities – their cultural heritage, current conditions and aspirations – with the help of the links seen below Despite their vast differences, anthropologists, including [Verrier] Elwin and [G.S.] Ghurye, as well as Srinivas and other Indian public figures and intellectuals, effectively erased or negated tribes’ worldviews and beliefs. When discussing … Read more

Giving a fresh impetus to endangered tribal customs: “Art forms are aboriginal and yet scientific” – Jharkhand

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A cultural renaissance of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Jharkhand is not a distant dream. In an attempt to prepare a directory of their dying livelihood skills, art forms and forgotten rituals as well as to revive the same, the state art and culture department has decided to organise a five-day workshop-cum-festival soon. […] … Read more

Tip | The distinction between “folk” and “tribal” music: Cultures that are very different

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OVERVIEW OF INDIAN FOLK MUSIC by David Courtney | View his illustrated, up-to-date version here >> India has a very rich tradition of folk music.  The extreme cultural diversity creates endless varieties of folk styles.  Each region has its own particular style. There is a tendency to lump folk music along with tribal music.  There … Read more

“Where art imitates life”: Gond artists recognized – Madhya Pradesh

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Gond tribal painting is an integral part of tribal festivities, rituals, and day-to-day living When one lives amidst nature, one’s life is the life of nature, one’s thoughts are the thoughts of the birds, deer and the rivers and one’s expressions are full of nature’s form and gestures. The exhibition of Gond tribal paintings from … Read more