Choose any tribal group living in India today. Find out about their customs and way of life and how their lives have changed in the last 50 years.

Among the tribal groups the Santhals have well organized social structure. Some of the customs and ways of life of tribal people were the following:

● Most of the tribals are ignorant about the outside world and are happy with their own customs, beliefs and culture.

● The tribal women are fond of wearing jewelry which is made of animal or forest products.

● Tribals are fond of diverse forms of dances and music.

● The tribals are engaged in varieties of activities:

(i) Some of them practiced shifting cultivation.

(ii) Some are hunter-gatherers.

(iii) Some reared animals.

● They worshipped the force of nature. The life tribals changed significantly after independence. They have now become an integral part of the society. Some have taken many measures for the upliftment.