Names & communities

Communities with populations spread across state/linguistic borders are often known by different names by local authorities while “some of these communities figure in various classifications in the states” according to the National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes: “There are many anomalies in terms of identification of these communities, from state to state. Many people also do not know what is denotified tribe and which authority is looking after their grievances. […] In some states they are called ‘tribal settlers’. In some states they are called ‘hidden tribes’ etc.” – Bibek Debroy in “An unfortunate legacy” (Indian Express, 5 January 2017)
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/crime-criminal-act-racial-discrimination-non-bailable-offence-criminal-tribes-act-an-unfortunate-legacy-4459258/
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=12284

Video | A Journey to a Santal school: Allowing children to be fully Adivasi, preparing them for success in mainstream society – West Bengal

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Project Coordinator: Jerome Cranston, University of Manitoba The Adivasi, the tribal peoples of India, comprise eight percent of the total population of the country. They have found that their children cannot cope with dilemma of living in ways that are inconsistent with their traditional ways. These same children are subjected to assimilationist structures embedded within India’s … Read more

Video | Life of the Samantha: An Ethnographic film by Sathya Mohan – Andhra Pradesh

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Watch on Vimeo: THE SAMANTHAS >> This ethnographic film made by Sathya Mohan is a visual study of the socio-economic and the religious life of the Samanthas. The Samanthas or the Khonds of Vishakhapatnam agency in Andhra Pradesh, India are one of the few surviving ‘primitive tribal groups’ (defined by government of India). They speak the language … Read more

Terracotta project in Bishnubati village: Ashadullapur Rural Crafts & Health Development Centre – West Bengal

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The Terracotta & Pottery project has started with six participants from different villages in a workshop. Their chosen task is to preserve the Santali traditional life by depicting it on the walls of local homes. Six walls have been chosen in Bishnubati village. This project is already meeting with much interest and appreciation among the villagers. | View the finished murals and learn more … Read more

Placing India’s tribal heritage in its historical and ecological perspective: Documentaries by filmmaker Sangita Datta – West Bengal & Sikkim

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Brief excerpts from documentaries relating to tribal heritage – Showreel 2013 00:49 “The language of the Mundas“: CIIL’s series on Bhasha Mandakani: Bangala – Central Institute of Indian Languages (Govt. of India)03:14 “Righting the Historical Wrong“: A Film on The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers [Forest Rights Act 2006] – University of Manchester;04:49 “The Paharias: An Endangered Tribe” – … Read more

Discussing “modernity and tradition”: Dongria’s rights to their religion, to give or withhold their consent and to choose their own future and livelihood – Odisha

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Excerpt Twelve palli sabhas (tribal gram sabhas) in the Niyamgiri Hills of Orissa covering  the entire 250 sq km area is the sacred abode of Niyamraja, the supreme deity of the 8,000-strong Dongaria Kondh, a primitive tribe, straddling the Kalahandi-Rayagada district divide. The Supreme Court on April 12, 2013, directed that tribal opinion be specifically … Read more