Question

Discuss the causes of the origin of dormitories in tribal societies.

Answer 1

There are various ideas regarding the origins of the dormitories, their purpose, and the reasons behind the tribes' heavy reliance on them. Some of them are as follows:

1. Safety: It is believed that the dorms were built to keep warriors organised, gathered, and prepared for conflict at any time because they are typically located in the middle of a tribal town.
2. Community: The dormitories create a sense of community and help ensure the longevity of the tribe and its culture.
3. Tradition: In ancient India, tribes lived communally and worked collectively. The tribes may have attempted to duplicate the tradition on a smaller scale.
4. Separation: Dormitories may have been designed to separate genders and maintain purity by preventing male and female access.
5. Education: It’s possible that the dorms were the site of the education and skill-transfer for the young tribal people, preparing them for their adult duties and responsibilities in both the social and private domains of life.