The term ‘Adivasi’ comes from Sanskrit and signifies ‘the first occupants.’ Adivasi is a term used to describe indigenous Indians that is extensively used in India and Bangladesh. Adivasi is a collective word for Indian subcontinent tribes who are considered indigenous to the areas of India where they reside, either as foragers or as tribalistic sedentary communities. The Adivasis are indigenous peoples who are said to be India’s original occupants. Adivasis have different dialects, beliefs, and systems of self-government, as well as a strong connection to their land and a reverence for the environment. Adivasis make up about 8% of India’s population. In India, there are around 500 separate Adivasi communities. There is no hierarchy among Adivasi groups. They are not the same as communities organized under caste system ideas. Adivasi religion is distinct from Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity. Adivasis reverse ancestral, local, and nature spirits.
During the nineteenth century, a large number of Adivasis converted to Christianity, which has since grown as a major religion in modern Adivasi history. Adivasis speak their own languages, which are perhaps as old as Sanskrit. The Adivasi language affected the development of Indian languages such as Bengali.
What is the current portrayal of Adivasis?
- Adivasis are now represented as unusual, primitive, and backward people.
- Adivasi dances are performed at cultural exhibitions.
- They are symbolized by bright clothing and accessories.
- Adivasis are accused of their lack of progress because they are reluctant to change or new ideas.
- This poor picture of Adivasis has resulted in their marginalization in modern India.
What causes a community to be marginalized, and how does this affect the community?
The grounds for a community’s social marginalization include:
Different languages and customs Religious differences, Financial status, Education, Economic, social, cultural, and political issues all work together to make some groups feel marginalized in society. Marginalized groups face prejudice and are denied opportunities available to other communities. They feel disadvantaged and helpless in comparison to more powerful and dominating segments of society.
Adivasis are becoming increasingly marginalized due to:
- People frequently mistake Adivasis for weird, primitive, and backward people. Adivasis are sometimes accused of their lack of progress since they are thought to be resistive to change or new ideas.
- They are losing their lands and forest access. They lose their primary sources of income and food as a result of these events.
- They are unable to reach their woodland regions.
- Many Adivasis have relocated to cities in search of work, where they are employed for extremely low rates in local businesses or on building or construction projects, having increasingly lost access to their native homelands. As a result, people get trapped in a cycle of poverty and hardship. As a result, they are becoming increasingly marginalized.
- Adivasis practiced shifting agriculture, were hunter-gatherers and lived a nomadic existence prior to the colonial period.
- There is stereotyping of Adivasis in India when they are portrayed in movies, novels, and social gatherings. They are depicted in various colorful outfits, headgears, and so on, despite the fact that we know very little about their existence.
- Adivasis are weak and marginalized communities in India today.
- Adivasis have been compelled to move and work as domestic servants, in businesses, building sites, and plantations as a result of political pressure imposed through private and governmental companies, forest regulations, and economic shifts.
What difficulties did the Adivasis face?
- The Adivasis were forced to flee the woods of Jharkhand and move to other areas of India and the world. During their trek, the Adivasis faced hardship and death. Five lakh Adivasis were killed in these migrations.
- When woods were removed for mining, the bulk of tribes were evacuated. Many dams built in India after 1947 flooded large amounts of forest land. As a result, numerous Adivasis were evicted from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, and Jharkhand.
- Adivasi areas in the northeast are war-torn and militarily occupied.
- In India, there are 54 national parks and 372 wildlife sanctuaries. These parks encompass 1,09,652 square kilometers of forest land. The Adivasis were forced to leave these woodlands.
Marginalization is a difficult and delicate subject that the government must approach with caution. To address marginalization, a range of tactics, procedures, and protections must be used.
It is the responsibility of every citizen of our nation to guarantee that the Fundamental Rights of all citizens, whether majority or minority, are respected. Only collective effort can maintain the variety that makes our country special and promote equality for everyone.
Sample questions
Question 1: Why are Adivasis in India under-reported?
Answer:
Adivasis of India, who account for more than 8% of the population, are frequently under-reported, depicted in clichés, and ignored. We want to modify, or at least try to change, this narrative. India’s history is filled with vibrant civilizations, empires, and kings.
Question 2: Where do Adivasis inhabit?
Answer:
According to experts, Adivasis came to the Indian subcontinent during the massive human exodus from Africa. They are currently dispersed over the Indian subcontinent, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Andaman Islands. In this region, about 90 percent of Adivasi people reside in rural regions.
Question 3: In India, what is the constitutional word for Adivasis?
Answer:
The Indian government has created a constitutional name for Adivasis – Scheduled Tribes (ST). According to Article 342 of the Indian Constitution, there are over 700 scheduled tribes in India, and according to the 2011 census estimate, there are over 104 India has millions of indigenous people.