Tribal Life in India: Hunting and Gathering

What method did tribals initially use to clear land for cultivation?

What benefit did the ash from burnt vegetation provide for soil?

Which of the following tribal groups was known for engaging in cultivation?

What change occurred regarding land ownership among the tribal people over time?

What significant social structure developed among the tribal people involved in cultivation?

What was the primary food procurement method for many tribal groups before engaging in agriculture?

Which tribe is associated with herding and moving with their livestock?

What negative outcome did tribal people face when they engaged in trade with local traders?

Which type of cultivation involves moving from one area to another, often used by tribal groups?

What type of resources did tribal people primarily rely on for medicinal purposes?

Why did tribal groups exchange goods with others?

In which region are the Baigas primarily located?

What lifestyle change occurred among some tribal groups by the 19th Century?

Tribal Lifestyle and Occupations

Tribals lead a simple life closely connected to nature, particularly forests, and rely on them without exploiting resources.
Many tribal groups in India are termed Adivasis; by the 19th century, they were involved in various occupations.

Hunting and Gathering

Hunting and gathering ensured survival for tribal groups such as the Khonds of Orissa and Baigas of Central India.
Collective hunts allowed tribes to gather fruits, roots, and meat; gathered food was prepared using forest oils.
Tribals utilized herbs and shrubs for medicinal purposes.
Aside from hunting, they engaged in trade, exchanging goods, and performed odd jobs in nearby villages for income.
Dependency on trade sometimes led to debt and poverty due to exploitation by local traders and moneylenders.

Herding

Many tribes participated in herding and raising livestock, moving with herds across changing seasons.
Tribal groups such as Van Gujjars in Punjab and Labadis in Andhra Pradesh were known for herding.
Transhumance was a common practice among these tribes, following seasonal pastures.

Cultivation

Over time, various tribes began settling and adopting cultivation practices, including jhum (shifting) cultivation.
Jhum cultivation involved clearing land by burning vegetation, utilizing the nutrient-rich ash for crop growth.
After crops were harvested, land was often abandoned in search of new fields, a practice prevalent in North-East and Central India.
Use of the plough was introduced by some tribal communities, allowing for more organized farming.
Tribals gradually gained rights over land, with areas sometimes owned collectively by clans or groups.
Power dynamics began to shift, leading to the rise of leaders or chiefs among some tribes, with communities organized around them.
Significant tribal cultivators included the Mundas and Santhals, contributing to the evolution of agriculture in their regions.

Explore the simple yet deeply connected lives of tribal communities in India, particularly focusing on their reliance on nature and the traditional practices of hunting and gathering. Learn about various tribal groups and how their occupations have evolved over the years, especially during the 19th Century.