Adivasi

The term Adivasi refers to various heterogeneous tribal groups across the Indian subcontinent. The word comes from Sanskrit roots, where "adi" means beginning or origin and "vasin" means dweller. Therefore, Adivasi literally translates to "original inhabitants."

Many of these communities claim to be among the first people in the region. Some believe their ancestry dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization or the period following its decline. These groups possess diverse ancestral roots, including Dravidian, Indo-Aryan, Austroasiatic, and Tibeto-Burman lineages.

While people often use "tribe" and "Adivasi" to mean the same thing, they have different meanings. "Tribe" is an anthropological term that describes a specific social unit. In contrast, "Adivasi" is a socio-political term used to express an autochthonous identity. Autochthonous means being original to a particular land or region.

Using the term Adivasi allows these diverse groups to share a collective identity. However, the term can be complex because history shows many migrations occurred in the region. Some scholars note that many groups moved into their current areas over many centuries.

The history of the term involves many important political leaders and activists. In the 1930s, tribal political activists in present-day Jharkhand began using the word. They wanted to create a distinct identity that separated them from Indo-Aryan and Dravidian groups. Later, a man named Thakkar Bapa used the word to refer to forest inhabitants. After India became independent, Jaipal Singh Munda became a leader for these groups. He served in the Constituent Assembly and fought to use "Adivasi" instead of "Scheduled Tribe."

B.R. Ambedkar, a key figure in drafting the Indian Constitution, chose a different path. He decided to use the term "Scheduled Tribe" instead of "Adivasi" for legal reasons. Ambedkar explained that "Adivasi" was a general term without a precise legal definition. He believed a specific category was necessary so that courts could protect their rights. By using "Scheduled Tribe," the government could clearly enumerate and identify specific groups. This allowed the state to target these communities for social and economic development.

The population of these groups is quite large across South Asia. In India, Adivasis make up about 8.6% of the total population. According to the 2011 Census, this equals approximately 104.2 million people. In Bangladesh, they are known as "Ethnic minorities" and make up about 1.1% of the population.

In India, the distribution varies greatly by state. For example, Mizoram and Lakshadweep have tribal populations near 95%. Other states, like Punjab and Haryana, have 0% scheduled tribal populations.

Many Adivasi communities live within a large area called the tribal belt. This belt stretches from eastern Gujarat in the west to West Bengal in the east. The western part includes Indo-Aryan speaking tribes like the Bhils. The central region features Dravidian tribes such as the Gonds and Khonds.

The eastern belt is centered on the Chhota Nagpur Plateau. This area is home to Munda tribes like the Santals and Hos. Roughly 75% of the total tribal population lives within this specific belt.

Cultural and religious practices also vary significantly among these groups. Many Adivasi communities in India follow Animism, which is a belief in the spiritual power of nature. Others practice Hinduism or Christianity. In the state of Jharkhand, many follow a religion called Sarnaism. In Bangladesh, many Adivasi groups follow the Theravada school of Buddhism.

These diverse beliefs and traditions, such as the dances of the Kurukh people, help maintain their unique cultural identities within the broader subcontinent.