Distinctive Traditions of Adivasis

Distinctive Traditions

Each sub-caste and tribal grouping as a unique tradition to uphold.

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Munda 

Munda use their fingers to paint in the soft, wet earth of their homes and use unique motifs like the rainbow snake and plant forms of deities. Lavender-gray coloured mud from rock-art sites next to Munda villages, are used with ochre mud as contrast colour.

Oraon

 Oraon-cut paintings can be traced back to ancient times. Images of cattle, feeding troughs, papyrus, birds, fish, plants, circled lotus, zigzag, square,opposing triangle geometric forms, arches in series - are common. Floral art forms are used during harvest time.

According to old theory - Entire Kurukh speaking Oraon Tribals are Originated from just few different
families.

At that time, each family stayed together for survival in jungles & entire Oraon tribe was scattered all
around the Chotanagpur plateau & beyond.

To continue the next generation, they needed to form the matrimonial relations with other families of
Oraon tribe.

To Identify themselves among other families of Oraon Tribal members,Every family chose their favourite
Animal,Bird, Fishes or Tree & adopted it's name as Surname.

Even Today, Marriage of a Boy & Girl having the same Surname is Prohibited as they belong to same family from which the Surnames are originated & Technically they are Brother & Sister.

Below are the few Oraon Surnames with their meanings- 

Lakra = Lion
xess = Paddy
Barwa = Wild Dog
Minj = Fish
Ekka = Turtle
Bara = Banyan Tree
Kujur = A Species of tree which produces medicinal oil
Tirkey = A species of Bird closely related to Peacock
Toppo = A species of Bird which is called "Teetar" in hindi.

 Turi

Turi  who are a small community of basket-makers use predominantly floral and jungle-based motifs in natural earthy tones on the walls of their homes.

 Manjhi Santhal

 Manjhi Santhal the striking warring figures painted in black on simple clay plaster walls are startling reminders that their origins probably had links with the Indus Valley civilization.

 Kharia are an Austroasiatic tribal ethnic group from central India.They originally spoke the Kharia language, which belong to Austroasiatic languages. They are sub-divided into three groups known as the Hill Kharia, Delki Kharia and the Dudh Kharia. Amongst them, the Dudh Kharia is amongst the most advanced and educated ethnic communities in India.India from central India.This tribal ethnic group in India. They originally spoke the Kharia language, which belong to Austroasiatic languages. They are sub-divided into three groups known as the Hill Kharia, Delki Kharia and the Dudh Kharia. Amongst them, the Dudh Kharia is amongst the most advanced and educated ethnic communities in India.

LifestyleEdit

The Kharia who were under zamindars during British rule are now land owning farmers in independent India. All Kharia speak their traditional dialect. The Language spoken by them is a part of the Munda Languages, which are part of the Austroasiatic languages. They are very close to the nature and culture of the tribe is influenced by its ecological and cultural surroundings.

DressEdit

The Hill Kharia have preserved their traditional dress pattern and rest of the Kharia have been influenced by the modern contacts and changed their dressing style. Traditionally, they wear Dhoti called Bhagwan. women wear saree falling up to the ankles. A part of the saree covers their bosom. The traditional dress is nowadays going out of use. Both men and women wear ornaments generally made of Brass, Nickel, Aluminium, Silver and rarely of Gold. Dudh Kharia women prefer Gold ornaments.

EconomyEdit

Different levels of economic developments on sectional basis exist among Kharia. The Hill Kharia is a food gathering, hunting and labourer community. The Dhelkis are agricultural labourers and agriculturalists, while Dudh Kharia are exclusively agriculturists in their primary economy.

Kharia people are skilled in cottage industries.

DancesEdit

Kharia are said to be the great dancers. Youth of both sexes dance together. sometimes they form two groups each of males and females and sing one after the other. It is like conversion is going on between boys and girls in the form of the song. The following dance patterns are prevalent among Kharias- Hario, Kinbhar, Halka,  and Jadhura.

Ganju art forms are characterized by images of animals, wild and domesticated, and plant forms. Large murals of animals, birds, and floral exotica, decorate homes. Endangered animals are often depicted in picture-story tradition.

Kurmi an unique style of 'sohrai', where drawing outlines are scratched onto the surface of a wall with nails and a wooden compass is used to etch the segmented lotus. Pashupati or Lord Shiva is depicted as a horned deity on the back of a bull. Red, black and white lines are drawn in pairs on either side to represent the ashes of ancestors. The Kurmis of Bhehwara use glyptic art to represent plants on the walls and floors of their homes. 

Ghatwals use glyptic paintings of animals on their forest dwellings.

Birhor & Bhuiya use simple, strong, and authentic graphic forms like 'mandalas', painting with their fingers. Crescents, stars, yoni, rectangles with corner petals, ovals with flared lines and concentric circles, are common.

Prajapati, Rana &Teli  the three sub-castes decorate their homes with plant and animal fertility forms, using both finer

painting and comb cutting techniques. The 'prajapati' style uses filigree work, with emphasis on zoomorphic plants representations and Pashupati (Siva) the God of Animals, and floral motifs filled with colour.