Definitions [1]
Definition: Tribe
- D. N. Majumdar defines tribe as ‘A tribe is a collection of families or groups of families bearing a common name. Members of which occupy the same territory, speak the same language and observe certain taboos regarding marriage, profession or occupation and have developed a well-assessed system of reciprocity and mutuality of obligations.”
- W. J. Perry provides a precise definition of the term, tribe, according to him, “is a group speaking a common dialect and inhabiting a common territory.”
- The Dictionary of Sociology defines tribe as a “social group, usually with a definite area, dialect, cultural homogeneity and unifying social organisation.”
Key Points
Key Points: Dormitories in India
- Dormitories are tribal youth associations for training and socialisation of boys and girls.
- They exist across India under different names like Gotul, Gitiora, Dhumkuria, and Rang-Bang.
- Dormitories teach customs, traditions, discipline, and community life through collective living.
- They function as centres of recreation, education, and community service.
- Dormitories help in personality development, social control, and cultural continuity.
Key Points: Origin of Dormitories
- Dormitories originated as common shelters for protection, security, and collective living.
- They developed from primitive modes of life, especially among hunting communities.
- Dormitories helped in training youth for economic, social, and military duties.
- They also served as religious and ceremonial centres of village life.
- Over time, dormitories became community institutions, though their importance is now declining.
Key Points: Cultural contact and Its Impact
- Dormitories are changing due to contact with non-tribal culture and lifestyle.
- Government influence led to official designations replacing traditional dormitory roles.
- Religious conversion reduced freedom and participation in dormitory life.
- Culture contact caused loss of unity, confidence, and traditional training among youth.
- Decline of dormitories led to disintegration of tribal culture and social order.
Key Points: Assimilation
- Assimilation means absorption of tribes into dominant society.
- Tribal customs and traditions are ignored or replaced.
- Dominant culture imposes its values, laws, and norms.
- Assimilation may be direct (forced) or indirect (gradual).
- It often leads to loss of tribal identity.
Key Points: Acculturation
- Acculturation occurs through continuous cultural contact.
- Cultural traits are exchanged or modified, not fully lost.
- Dominant culture influences weaker tribal culture.
- It is a slow and gradual process.
- Tribes adopt modern traits while partly retaining identity.
Key Points: Isolation
- Isolation means maintaining distance from dominant society.
- Tribes preserve traditional customs and beliefs.
- Cultural identity remains strong and protected.
- Interaction is limited to economic or political needs.
- Isolation helps in preserving tribal culture.
Key Points: Features of Tribe
- The tribals are the original people in the sense they live in this earth from the very beginning.
- Tribals are generally endogamous groups aiming a close homogeneity.
- Tribals follow their own social, political and cultural ways of life and they have their own laws, justice, customs, rituals, rites etc.
- Each tribe is headed by a tribal chief or headman who commands the tribe and whose decisions are final. The selection of this office is either hereditary or by trial of strength.
Key Points: Present Conditions and Problems of the Tribal People
|
Problem |
Description |
Description |
Major Consequences |
|
1. Land Alienation |
Loss of traditional tribal land to non-tribals and institutions |
Industrialisation, mining, dams, poor land records, indebtedness |
Migration, unemployment, exploitation, extremism |
|
2. Poverty & Indebtedness |
Inability to meet basic needs leading to heavy borrowing |
Land loss, illiteracy, unemployment, social customs |
Bonded labour, child labour, crime |
|
3. Bonded Labour |
Forced labour to repay loans taken from landlords |
Forced labour to repay loans taken from landlords |
Loss of freedom, exploitation, poor living conditions |
|
4. Shifting Cultivation |
Traditional cultivation by rotating land plots |
Population pressure, subsistence economy |
Low productivity, environmental degradation |
|
5. Lack of Education |
Very low literacy and high school dropout rates |
Poverty, migration, language barriers, poor access |
Unemployment, social |
|
6. Health & Malnutrition
|
Poor health due to inadequate food and healthcare |
Poor health due to inadequate food and healthcare |
Diseases, high mortality, low work capacity |
|
7. Labour Migration
|
Diseases, high mortality, low work capacity |
Unemployment, landlessness, lack of industries |
Exploitation, child labour, loss of education |
Key Points: Policies of the government of India for upliftment of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes
- The Indian Constitution ensures social, economic, and political justice for SCs and STs.
- Articles 46, 164, 275, 339, and 340 provide protection, funds, and special administration for tribal welfare.
- Sixth Schedule grants autonomy to tribal areas through district and regional councils.
- Various development programmes and welfare schemes were launched after independence for rural and tribal upliftment.
- Recent policies like MGNREGA, Forest Rights Act, and rehabilitation schemes aim at inclusive development.
Key Points: Tribal Panchsheel
- Introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru to protect tribal people from exploitation.
- Tribals should develop according to their own culture and genius.
- Tribal rights over land and forests must be respected.
- Tribals should be trained for administration and development.
- Development should be judged by human growth, not money spent.
Key Points: Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP)
- IRDP was launched in 1978–79 to reduce rural poverty.
- It targeted below-poverty-line rural families.
- The programme provided subsidies and low-interest credit for income-generating assets.
- Special benefits were given to small farmers, marginal farmers, SCs and STs.
- Despite good objectives, IRDP faced implementation and monitoring problems.
Key Points: Large sized Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPS)
- LAMPS were created to improve tribal livelihoods and integrate them into the mainstream economy.
- They provide interest-free agricultural credit and subsidised inputs like seeds and fertilizers.
- LAMPS support purchase of farm animals, tools, and small machinery.
- They help in marketing forest and agricultural products and promote self-employment.
- The scheme encourages economic independence and social upliftment of tribal communities.
