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Contributions Of The Tribal Cultures – Anthropology Notes For W.B.C.S. Examination.
উপজাতি সংস্কৃতির অবদান – WBCS পরীক্ষার জন্য নৃবিদ্যা নোট ।
Adivasi traditions and practices pervade all aspects of Indian culture and civilization, yet this awareness is often lacking in popular consciousness, and theextent and import of Adivasi contributions to Indian philosophy, language and custom have often gone unrecognized, or been underrated by historians andsocial scientists.Although popular myths about Buddhism have obscured the original source and inspiration for it’s humanist doctrine, it is to India’s ancient tribal (or Adivasi)societies that Gautam Buddha looked for a model for the kind of society he wished to advocate.Continue Reading Contributions Of The Tribal Cultures – Anthropology Notes For W.B.C.S. Examination.
Repulsed by how greed for private property was instrumental incausing poverty, social exploitation and unending warfare – he saw hope for human society in the tribal republics that had not yet come under the sway of authoritarian rule and caste discrimination. The early Buddhist Sanghas were modelled on the tribal pattern of social interaction that stressed gender equality,and respect for all members. Members of the Sanghas sought to emulate their egalitarian outlook and democratic functioning.
At that time, the tribal republics retained many aspects of social equality that can still be found in some Adivasi societies that have somehow escaped the ill-effects of commercial plunder and exploitation. Adivasi society was built on a foundation of equality with respect for all life forms including plants and trees.There was a deep recognition of mutual dependence in nature and human society. People were given respect and status according to their contribution to social
needs but only while they were performing that particular function. A priest could be treated with great respect during a religious ceremony or a doctor revered during a medical consultation, but once such duties had been performed, the priest or doctor became equal to everyone else. The possession of highly valued skills or knowledge did not lead to a permanent rise in status. This meant that no individual or small group could engage in overlordship of any kind, or enjoy
hereditary rights.Such a value-system was sustainable as long as the Adivasi community was non-acquisitive and all the products of society were shared. Although division of
labor did take place, the work of society was performed on a cooperative and co-equal basis – without prejudice or disrespect for any form of work.
needs but only while they were performing that particular function. A priest could be treated with great respect during a religious ceremony or a doctor revered during a medical consultation, but once such duties had been performed, the priest or doctor became equal to everyone else. The possession of highly valued skills or knowledge did not lead to a permanent rise in status. This meant that no individual or small group could engage in overlordship of any kind, or enjoy
hereditary rights.Such a value-system was sustainable as long as the Adivasi community was non-acquisitive and all the products of society were shared. Although division of
labor did take place, the work of society was performed on a cooperative and co-equal basis – without prejudice or disrespect for any form of work.
It was the simplicity, the love of nature, the absence of coveting the goods and wealth of others, and the social harmony of tribal society that attracted Gautam
Buddha, and had a profound impact on the ethical core of his teachings.
Buddha, and had a profound impact on the ethical core of his teachings.
(To this day, sharing is a vital and integral part of the philosophy of the Mullakurumba Adivasis of South India. When the Mullakurumbas go hunting a share is given to every family in the village, even those
who may be absent, sick or cannot participate for any other reason. An extra portion is added for any guest in the village and even a non-tribal passersby will be offered a share. Not sharing is something they find
difficult to comprehend.)
who may be absent, sick or cannot participate for any other reason. An extra portion is added for any guest in the village and even a non-tribal passersby will be offered a share. Not sharing is something they find
difficult to comprehend.)
Nevertheless, tribal societies were under constant pressure as the money economy grew and made traditional forms of barter less difficult to sustain. In matters
of trade, the Adivasis followed a highly evolved system of honour. All agreements that they entered into were honoured, often the entire tribe chipping in to
honor an agreement made by an individual member of the tribe. Individual dishonesty or deceit were punished severely by the tribe. An individual who acted in
a manner that violated the honor of the tribe faced potential banishment and family members lost the right to participate in community events during the period
of punishment. But often, tribal integrity was undermined because the non-tribals who traded with the Adivasis reneged on their promises and took advantage
of the sincerity and honesty of most members of the tribe.
of trade, the Adivasis followed a highly evolved system of honour. All agreements that they entered into were honoured, often the entire tribe chipping in to
honor an agreement made by an individual member of the tribe. Individual dishonesty or deceit were punished severely by the tribe. An individual who acted in
a manner that violated the honor of the tribe faced potential banishment and family members lost the right to participate in community events during the period
of punishment. But often, tribal integrity was undermined because the non-tribals who traded with the Adivasis reneged on their promises and took advantage
of the sincerity and honesty of most members of the tribe.
Tribal societies came under stress due to several factors. The extension of commerce, military incursions on tribal land, and the resettling of Brahmins amidst
tribal populations had an impact, as did ideological coercion or persuasion to attract key members of the tribe into “mainstream” Hindu society. This led to
many tribal communities becoming integrated into Hindu society as jatis (or castes) while others who resisted were pushed into the hilly or forested areas, or
remote tracks that had not yet been settled. In the worst case, defeated Adivasi tribes were pushed to the margins of settled society and became discriminated
as outcastes and “untouchables”.
tribal populations had an impact, as did ideological coercion or persuasion to attract key members of the tribe into “mainstream” Hindu society. This led to
many tribal communities becoming integrated into Hindu society as jatis (or castes) while others who resisted were pushed into the hilly or forested areas, or
remote tracks that had not yet been settled. In the worst case, defeated Adivasi tribes were pushed to the margins of settled society and became discriminated
as outcastes and “untouchables”.
But spontaneous differentiation within tribal societies also took place over time, which propelled these now unequal tribal communities into integrating into
Hindu society without external violence or coercion. In Central India, ruling dynasties emerged from within the ranks of tribal society.
Hindu society without external violence or coercion. In Central India, ruling dynasties emerged from within the ranks of tribal society.
In any case, the end result was that throughout India, tribal deities and customs, creation myths and a variety of religious rites and ceremonies came to
absorbed into the broad stream of “Hindu” society. In the Adivasi traditions, ancestor worship, worship of fertility gods and goddesses (as well as male and
female fertility symbols), totemic worship – all played a role. And they all found their way into the practice of what is now considered Hinduism. The widespread
Indian practice of keeping ‘vratas’, i.e. fasting for wish-fulfillment or moral cleansing also has Adivasi origins
absorbed into the broad stream of “Hindu” society. In the Adivasi traditions, ancestor worship, worship of fertility gods and goddesses (as well as male and
female fertility symbols), totemic worship – all played a role. And they all found their way into the practice of what is now considered Hinduism. The widespread
Indian practice of keeping ‘vratas’, i.e. fasting for wish-fulfillment or moral cleansing also has Adivasi origins
Mahashweta Devi has shown that both Shiva and Kali have tribal origins as do Krishna and Ganesh. In the 8th century, the tribal forest goddess or harvest
goddess was absorbed and adapted as Siva’s wife. Ganesh owes it’s origins to a powerful tribe of elephant trainers whose incorporation into Hindu society was
achieved through the deification of their elephant totem. In his study of Brahmin lineages in Maharashtra, Kosambi points to how many Brahmin gotras (such
as Kashyapa) arose from tribal totems such as Kachhapa (tortoise). In Rajasthan, Rajput rulers recognised the Adivasi Bhil chiefs as allies and Bhils acquired
a central role in some Rajput coronation ceremonies.
goddess was absorbed and adapted as Siva’s wife. Ganesh owes it’s origins to a powerful tribe of elephant trainers whose incorporation into Hindu society was
achieved through the deification of their elephant totem. In his study of Brahmin lineages in Maharashtra, Kosambi points to how many Brahmin gotras (such
as Kashyapa) arose from tribal totems such as Kachhapa (tortoise). In Rajasthan, Rajput rulers recognised the Adivasi Bhil chiefs as allies and Bhils acquired
a central role in some Rajput coronation ceremonies.
India’s regional languages such as Oriya, Marathi or Bengali developed as a result of the fusion of tribal languages with Sanskrit or Pali and virtually all the
Indian languages have incorporated words from the vocabulary of Adivasi languages.
Indian languages have incorporated words from the vocabulary of Adivasi languages.
Adivasis who developed an intimate knowledge of various plants and their medicinal uses played an invaluable role in the development of Ayurvedic
medicines. In a recent study, the All India Coordinated Research Project credits Adivasi communities with the knowledge of 9000 plant species – 7500 used for
human healing and veterinary health care. Dental care products like datun, roots and condiments like turmeric used in cooking and ointments are also Adivasi
discoveries, as are many fruit trees and vines. Ayurvedic cures for arthritis and night blindnes owe their origin to Adivasi knowledge.
medicines. In a recent study, the All India Coordinated Research Project credits Adivasi communities with the knowledge of 9000 plant species – 7500 used for
human healing and veterinary health care. Dental care products like datun, roots and condiments like turmeric used in cooking and ointments are also Adivasi
discoveries, as are many fruit trees and vines. Ayurvedic cures for arthritis and night blindnes owe their origin to Adivasi knowledge.
Adivasis also played an important role in the development of agricultural practises – such as rotational cropping, fertility maintenance through alternating the
cultivation of grains with leaving land fallow or using it for pasture. Adivasis of Orissa were instrumental in developing a variety of strains of rice.
cultivation of grains with leaving land fallow or using it for pasture. Adivasis of Orissa were instrumental in developing a variety of strains of rice.
Adivasi musical instruments such as the bansuri (flute) and dhol (drum), folk-tales, dances and seasonal celebrations also found their way into Indian traditions
as did their art and metallurgical skills.
as did their art and metallurgical skills.
In India’s central belt, Adivasi communities rose to considerable prominence and developed their own ruling clans. The earliest Gond kingdom appears to date
from the 10th C and the Gond Rajas were able to maintain a relatively independent existence until the 18th C., although they were compelled to offer nominal
allegiance to the Mughal empire.
from the 10th C and the Gond Rajas were able to maintain a relatively independent existence until the 18th C., although they were compelled to offer nominal
allegiance to the Mughal empire.
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