Write a brief note on Adivasis.

● Adivasi refers to the ‘original inhabitant’. These are the communities who have lived in close association to the forests.

● They are indigenous people and are considered as the first inhabitants of the country.

● India has approximately 8% of people belonging to this group.

● There are over 500 different Adivasi groups in India.

● They are not a homogenous population

● Most of the industrial and mining areas are surrounded by Adivasi.

● Adivasis mostly reside in Gujarat. Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, aAndhra Pradesh, Assam, Arunchal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya.

● They have their own language. Santhali is the oldest language with the largest number of speakers.

● They Adivasi language has led to the formation of many new languages as well such as Bengali.

● There is very little hierarchy in them.

● They are influenced by different religions like Buddhists, Bhakti, Vaishnav and Shakta.

● They workship ancestral, village or nature spirits.