Major Tribes in India| State-Wise Distribution

The Indian landscape is glittered with a lot of tribes with different origins yet covered by one wrapping, namely, the rich indigenous tribes. As a part of the nation, these tribes bring their precious traditions, culture, and language to the vibrant mosaic. People live in different types of communities.

Some of the tribes, that we can find in India, are so colorful, and their artists bring the whole of India’s diversity to life (the Gods, the Namans, the Nagas). These tribes hold their rich oral history, colorful festivities, and strong bond with nature. These tribes are the Gond, Santhals, Naga, Bhil, Mizo, Bodo, and Khasis. These tribes depict the different cultural heritages of India’s national essence.

What are Tribes?

In a wider context, those are groups that are joined by similarities of interests, cultures, or customs. Anthropologically, in short, tribes are given as social units that, typically, may be characterized by shared language and culture, as well as often by their territorial boundaries, though this distinction varies from culture to culture.

In today’s nomenclature, the emotional definition transcends the physical setting, with groups of people sharing a common background, a social demographic, or an opinion clustering around a specific ideology being considered a community. Be they cultural, recreational, or brand-related, tribes are in a position to become potent vehicles for socio-cultural bonds, embodying and strengthening collective identity and a sense of belonging.

Tribal Groups in India

Tribal groups in India are demographically rich and notably expressed through different languages, cultures, and customs. The indigenous people, with a presence across the land and sea as well as the mountains and forests, enrich and diversify the fabric of Indian culture. The Gonds from central India, the Santhals from the eastern parts, the Bhils of the west, and the Nagas of the northeastern region demonstrate the myriad tribes that comprise every identity and heritage of every tribe in India.

These places are global gathering points where native settlements in the areas do meet, and in turn, the locals are free to carry out their traditional day-to-day livelihoods, which comprise agriculture, hunting,and gathering. Nevertheless, they have been constantly pinned down by these challenges, including marginalization, dispossession of the land, and socio-economic disparities. The tribal groups in India have outlived the times by preserving their rich cultural heritage through their customs, rituals, music, dance, and crafts. Attempts to empower these people, who are from different spheres, by giving them education, medical facilities, and inclusive growth are still on, with the main aim of ensuring their safety and prosperity and, along with it, the retention of their irreplaceable cultural offerings to India.

Geographical Distribution of Indian Tribes

Indian Tribes	Geographical Distribution
Gond	Central India – Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
Santhal	East India – Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam
Bhil	West India – Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh
Munda	East India – Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar
Oraon	East India – Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh
Kuki	North India – Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland
Naga	North India – Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam
Banjara	Across India – Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
Adi	North India – Arunachal Pradesh
Bodo	North India – Assam

Population Size of Indian Tribes

Much of the enumeration for American Indians involves diverse octroi titles, the fact that frequently change methodologies of enumeration, as well as disturbances presented by hard-to-reach tribe areas within the nation. Furthermore, tribal communities may fluctuate in terms of population due to migration, economic instability, or government policy, the dynamics affecting their very existence.

However, as of the last available census data (2011), here are the approximate population figures for some major Indian tribes:

1. Gond: Around 12 million

2. Santhal: Around 6 million

3. Bhil: Around 4 million

4. Munda: Around 2.5 million

5. Oraon: Around 2 million

6. Kuki: Around 1.5 million

7. Naga: Around 1.6 million

8. Banjara: Around 1 million

9. Adi: Around 100,000 to 200,000

10. Bodo: Around 1.5 million

Economy or Subsistence Pattern of Indian Tribes

The economic models and subsistence practices of North American Indian tribes vary dramatically across the continent due to such variables as the location of each tribe, natural resources available for use, past influences, and relationships encountered with mainstream society. However, there are some commonalities and general trends across many tribal communities:

1. Subsistence Agriculture: Many Indian tribes temper their existence with food growing, harvesting, and storing the crop mainly for consumption by their people instead of for marketing and selling out at the market. Typically, they depend on the use of old-fashioned farming methods that are in close harmony with their natural habitat and corresponding climate change.

2. Hunting and Gathering: Certain tribes, in particular those majorly living in forested areas or steep slopes, like hunting, fishing, and collecting wild plants for their provisions. Many such communities are fully immersed in native cultural beliefs and spiritual practices and have a deep understanding of various aspects of local ecology and long-standing sustainable approaches to harvesting food.

3. Livestock rearing: While it’s a widespread practice that often takes place among some tribes, especially those located in less populated and semi-arid or mountainous regions, agriculture may be difficult. Ruminants supply their meat, milk, and other vital by-products to these people.

4. Crafts and Artisanal Work: Most Indian tribes preserve a whole range of different ways and means of crafts and the skill of a man as expressed in the work of the hand, such as weaving, pottery, basket making, metalworking, and wood carving. These handcrafts contribute primarily to enabling the native communities to flourish on economic and cultural grounds.

5. Forest-Based Livelihoods: In forests, the daily income of tribes is usually obtained from forest goods like honey, plants, resins, and bark, which are important in the medical sector. These products serve as the main source of income for individuals in the forest. The amenities that forests provide for their livelihoods and cultural practices are of great importance to the people’s economies.

6. Barter and Exchange: For instance, in such a number of tribal groups, the existing systems of bartering and roles are commonly followed, where goods and services are extended in direct exchange without the use of money. It thus promotes social cohesion and reciprocity in the community and, hence, brings about a sense of belonging among the residents through active and cooperative participation by all.

7. Wage Labor and Migration: As the century rolls on and the community is progressively integrating into the economy, more and more tribal members engage in wage labor, seasonal migration of employment, or other types of economic activities outside the borders of their traditional territory.

8. Government Programs and Development Initiatives: The tribesmen benefit from government rural development plans, which include subsidized food, health, education, housing, and other projects meant to promote social and economic inclusiveness. Therefore, the economic outlook of tribal communities is largely influenced by government-backed programs.

State & UT Wise Distribution of Indian Tribes

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the distribution of some major Indian tribes across states and union territories:

States	Tribes
Andhra Pradesh	Lambadi, Koya, Yanadi, Yerukula, etc.
Arunachal Pradesh	Adi, Apatani, Nyishi, Galo, Mishmi, etc.
Assam	Bodo, Karbi, Kuki, Naga, Rabha, etc.
Bihar	Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Bhumij, etc.
Chhattisgarh	Gond, Baiga, Bhil, Maria, etc.
Goa	Kunbi, Velip, Dhangar, etc.
Gujarat	Bhil, Rathwa, Gamit, Dhodia, etc.
Haryana	Jat, Gujjar, Bishnoi, etc. (These are not recognized as Scheduled Tribes)
Himachal Pradesh	Gaddi, Gujjar, Kinnauri, etc.
Jharkhand	Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Ho, etc.
Karnataka	Lambani, Koraga, Soliga, Siddi, etc.
Kerala	Kurichiya, Irula, Paniya, Kadar, etc.
Madhya Pradesh	Gond, Bhil, Baiga, Korku, etc.
Maharashtra	Bhil, Gond, Warli, Katkari, etc.
Manipur	Naga, Kuki, Meitei, Tangkhul, etc.
Meghalaya	Garo, Khasi, Jaintia, etc.
Mizoram	Mizo, Hmar, Lai, Chakma, etc.
Nagaland	Naga (comprising various sub-tribes)
Odisha	Kondh, Santal, Ho, Gond, etc.
Punjab	Bhil, Seraiki, etc. (These are not recognized as Scheduled Tribes)
Rajasthan	Bhil, Meena, Garasia, Sahariya, etc.
Sikkim	Bhutia, Lepcha, Limbu, etc.
Tamil Nadu	Irula, Kurumba, Toda, etc.
Telangana	Lambada, Gond, Koya, etc.
Tripura	Tripuri, Reang, Jamatia, etc.
Uttar Pradesh	Tharu, Bhoksa, Kol, etc.
Uttarakhand	Tharu, Bhotiya, Jaunsari, etc.
West Bengal	Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Lodha, etc.

Union Territories	Tribes
Andaman and Nicobar Islands	Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Onge, Sentinalese
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	Dhodia, Dubla, Kokna, Warli, etc.
Lakshadweep	Maliku, Malmi, etc.

Five Major Tribes of India

1. Bhils Tribe:

• Location: First, all of Rajasthan in the west region, along with Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, have a high incidence of this illness.
• Culture: Bhils are a rich cultural tribe that exhibits beautiful art, music, and dance forms in their own distinct way. They were well-versed in hunting and known for archery.

2. Gonds Tribe:

• Location: For the most part, it is found in the central part of the country, which includes states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra, as well as the controlled parts of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Culture: The Gond people are one of the culturally rich ethnic groups in our country; they are well known for their artistry style called Gond painting. They are worshipers and believers in the spirit world, and their folk tales are endless.

3. Munda Tribe:

• Location: Basically, this state is the home of the eastern states of Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar.
• Culture: The Mundas are a tribe that is differentiated from others because they speak a language of their own and are identified with their cultural identity. It has been proven to be so by their heroic agricultural, cultural, and performance performances, like the Munda dance.

4. Toto Tribe:

• Location: The Alipuhduar district of West Bengal is its home.
• Culture: The scheduled tribe ‘Toto’ is the smallest tribe in India, with its own unique dialect and cultural ways. They get so well acclimatized to their ecosystem and display the kind of agriculture that involves slash and burn.

5. Bhutia Tribe:

• Location: These plants are mainly documented in Sikkim (India) and within the borders of Arunachal Pradesh, Nepal, and West Bengal.
• Culture: The Bhutias have a Tibetan background, and they are influenced by the components of Buddhism. They are regarded for their particular costumes and food, as well as the annual festivals such as Losar (Tibetan New Year), which are for them.

Conclusion

The main tribes that are inclined toward India, such as Gond, Santhal, Bhil, Munda, and Naga, and other tribes, are living ornaments of the impressive cultural tapestry of India. While speaking different dialects, the tribes have their own specific cultures, traditions, and subsistence activities dating back multiple generations. These generations,in the face of difficulties, dedicate themselves to the preservation of their ancient heritage using traditional ways and crafts. We have to offer them education and development that is inclusive, as otherwise this could pave the way for their marginalization and the cultural diversity that India relies on disappearing. Implementing them for the rights of people is an essential criterion to make Indian society equal and superior.

Major Tribes in India- FAQs

What are the major tribes that are in India?

The main tribes of India are, for example, the God,Santhal,Bhil,Munda,Naga,Kuki, Lambadi/Banjara, Adi community, Bodo, and many other groups.

Because of the references to the specific tribes in India, the song generates a vivid mental image in the listener’s brain.

These tribes are mainly found in varying states and union territories of the Indian Republic, with each tribe having its own specific geographic presence.

What are some integral things concerning the tribes’ cultures?

Every single tribe has its own individual cultural practices, its own languages, including hand signs for the deaf, its own customs, and its own way of life. Take the Gonds and their art and music, which are bright and beautiful. The Santhals, on the other hand, have an oral history and festivals that are among the richest to be found.

What are the main livelihoods of these tribes?

The primary occupations that sustain populaces of the American Tribes consist of such activities as subsistence agriculture, hunting and gathering, pastoralism, artisanal work, and forest-based activities.

How are the tribes of this region able to keep their cultural heritage?

Notwithstanding the external influences on tribal culture, Indian nations often maintain their cultural heritage by practicing traditional methods, creating crafts, performing music and dance, and handing down oral traditions from one generation to the next.

What kind of troubles are these tribes addressing these days?

Indian tribes encountered grotesque treatment, which encompassed the removal of lands, unfair social stratification, the disappearance of indigenous knowledge, and life-threatening weather changes, among others.

When the tribes are being supported, what similarities or differences are there between these efforts?

Many different activities of the Indian government and non-governmental organizations aim to assist the tribal population through education and social development, economic development, and preservation of culture.

One cannot deny the intrinsic significance of tribals in India’s cultural, social, and intellectual framework. Is it, however, apparent or certain how one can connect with and support the tribal communities?

People and organizations can interact with tribal communities via mutual respect, resulting in cultural exchange and commerce of tribal crafts; additionally, the justice, rights, and welfare of indigenous people can be advocated.