Who are Adivasis?

Who are Adivasis?

Adivasis are indigenous tribal communities native to India.

Where do Adivasis primarily reside?

Adivasis mainly inhabit forested and hilly regions across India.

What languages do Adivasis speak?

Adivasis speak various tribal languages, each unique to their community.

What are the cultural practices of Adivasis?

Adivasis have rich cultural traditions, including unique dances, music, and rituals.

What challenges do Adivasis face?

Adivasis often face issues like land displacement, discrimination, and lack of access to basic amenities.

Are Adivasis recognized by the Indian government?

Yes, Adivasis are recognized as Scheduled Tribes under the Indian Constitution, entitling them to certain benefits and protections.

What is the livelihood of Adivasis?

Adivasis typically rely on subsistence farming, forest produce, and traditional crafts for their livelihood.

How do Adivasis contribute to society?

Adivasis contribute diverse knowledge of ecosystems, sustainable practices, and cultural heritage to society.


Who are Adivasis? Class 8 Notes of Chapter 7: Understanding Marginalisation

Adivasis are the original inhabitants of India. They are also known as the indigenous people of India. The word Adivasi means the original inhabitants. Adivasis have unique languages, religions, and forms of self-government, together with a deep bond to their land and respect for nature. 8% of India’s population are Adivasis.

In this article, we will look into the meaning of Adivasis. We will also discuss what religion adivasis practice, and what language adivasis use to communicate. It is an important concept of Class 8. Students can go through this article to get comprehensive notes on ‘Who are Adivasis’?

Table of Content

  • Who are Adivasis?
  • Religion of Adivasis
  • Language of Adivasis

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Who are Adivasis?

The Adivasis are the indigenous people of India and are believed to be the first inhabitants of the country. The word Adivasi means “original inhabitants” in Sanskrit. The Adivasis have distinct languages, religions, and forms of self-government, together with a deep bond to their land and respect for nature....

Religion of Adivasis

Adivasis are a diverse group of indigenous peoples who live in India. They practice a variety of religions, including animism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. Animism is the belief that all things in nature have a soul. Adivasi animists believe that spirits reside in mountains, rivers, animals, and other natural objects. They also believe that their ancestors are spirits who can help or harm them. Hinduism is the majority religion in India. Many Adivasis have converted to Hinduism over the centuries. However, they often retain some of their animistic beliefs and practices. Christianity is another major religion in India. Many Adivasis have converted to Christianity in recent years. They are attracted to Christianity’s message of equality and social justice. Islam is a minority religion in India. However, there are a significant number of Adivasi Muslims. They are mostly concentrated in the eastern and northeastern states of India....

Language of Adivasis

Adivasis speak several languages, which can be broadly classified into seven linguistic groupings: Andamanese, Austro-Asiatic, Dravidian, Indo-Aryan, Nihali, Sino-Tibetan, and Kra-Dai. The most widely spoken Adivasi language is Santhali, which is spoken by over 7 million people. Other Adivasi languages include Gondi, Munda, Ho, Kharia, and Kudukh....

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