 India our motherland is the home to large number of indigenous or native inhabitants

who are commonly called TRIBES.

 The term “tribe” originated from the Latin word “tribus”.
 They are also known by the name ‘ADIVASIS’ in India.
 A tribe possesses certain qualities and characteristics that make it a unique cultural,
social, and political entity.
Some of the major tribes of India include:
o Gond
o Bhil
o Santhal
o Khasi
o Chenchu
o Gaddi
o Jarawa
o One of the largest tribal groups in the world and the
largest in India.
o Found all over central India, in the states of Madhya
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.
o Follows Hindu culture and traditions
o Gondi is their prime language.
o Agriculture is their main work, mainly sedentary
agriculture.
o Largest tribe of South Asia and second largest tribe of
India.
o Popularly known as ‘bowmen of Rajasthan.’
o Found in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
o Speaks Indo-Aryan language Bhili.
o Cultivation and hunting is their main livelihood.
o Third largest tribe in India.
o Mostly found in the states of West
Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand and
Assam.
o Belongs to the Pre-Aryan period and are
great fighters since the British regime in
India.
o Speaks Austro-Asiatic language Santhali.
o They have their script called Oichiki.
o Engaged in hunting, fishing and
cultivation for their livelihood.
o Earliest immigrant tribes who came from Myanmar
and settled down in the plains of East Assam.
o Resides in different parts of India like the states of
Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, West Bengal.etc.
o Speaks Austro-Asiatic language Khasi.
o Follower of Christianity.
o Music plays an important part in their life.
o Hindu Aboriginal tribes.
o Inhabit the Nallamalai hills of Andhra
Pradesh and also found in Tamil Nadu,
Orissa.
o Origin of Chenchu is connected to
Lord Malikarjuna of the Srisailim
Temple.
o Speaks Chenchu language with Telegu
accent.
o Primarily food gatherers and hunters.
o Resides in Kangra, Mandi and Bilaspur districts of
Himachal Pradesh.
o They are Gypsies in true nature as they always
travel to the pastures along their flocks.
o Follows both Hindu and Islam customs and
traditions.
o Speaks in Gaddi language as well as in Hindi.
o Main occupation is shepherding.
o Jarawa or Jarwa means
“stranger” in the language of
the Great Andamanese.
o Inhabit the west portion of
South Andaman and Middle
Andaman.
o Speaks Andamani language.
o Food gathering, hunting and
fishing are their principal
occupations.