Tribes of India: Witnessing Lives of Forested and Hilly Communities

Deep inside the forested lands of India are the indigenous communities dancing to the rhythm of Jingalala – hoo – hoo! As unreal as it may sound, it clearly is one. Tribes of India are settled amidst the dense forest and on the hills. They do have their own language, music and tribal dances to please the forces of nature. 

Does the fact of connecting with ancestral spirits encourage you to spend some time with them? With ancient practices and unknown rituals, tribes of India mostly remain hidden from the world. Luckily, some tribes are open to tourists and welcome you for a lovely stay. So, let’s magnify their world along with respecting their beautiful coexisting ecosystems.

15 Important Tribes of India: Traversing through Tribal Dance, Music and More

1. Bhils

As we talk about the tribes of India, we cannot forget to mention the Bhils. They are situated across the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges. Being one of the largest tribes in India, Bhils follow different traditions considering various regions. They belong to the Indo-Aryan language family and their dialect is a combination of various languages.

Just like other Indian tribes, they also practice animism and worship ancestral spirits. Interestingly, this tribe has adopted certain aspects of Hinduism where they worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. Bhagoria is an important festival that celebrates the union of young men and women. You can buy Bhil paintings that are particularly known for intricate dot patterns and depictions of nature.

2. Gonds

Let’s understand one of the largest tribes of India. Gonds are found in the central part of the country, known for their rich heritage and connection with the land. They generally live in the forested regions and speak different Dravidian languages. Gonds follow animistic religion and also worship the forces of nature. 

Interestingly, the tribe is renowned for Gond paintings. The paintings are characterised by the usage of vibrant colours and inspiration drawn from nature and animals. You can definitely watch Dandari dance, which is particularly performed after the harvest season to thank the Lord. If you happen to visit their community, notice the traditional houses made of bamboo and mud.

3. Khasi

As you visit the northeastern region of India, you are certain to come across the indigenous Khasis. They are mostly located in the hills of Meghalaya. Their unique location with abundant rainfall makes them live an agrarian lifestyle. They also have a Khasi language and follow a matrilineal system. 

It is one of the inviting tribes of India, as they welcome tourists with much love. They follow a unique system where each clan has its own leader and their local chieftain is called a Syiem. You can also be a part of their Shad Suk Mynsiem festival, which includes music, dance and important rituals.

4. Naga

As the name suggests, you can find the Naga tribe in the northeastern part of India. They are particularly settled in Nagaland, along with some parts of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The tribe is known for inhabiting life in the dense forest. It is important to know that Naga is not a single tribe. They are divided into 16 other tribes in the same state. 

Each tribe follows its own customs and language that differs from the other one. While they share certain common cultural values, it is astonishing to see the development of different customs among them. You can easily check the best places to visit in Nagaland, helping you spend a scenic time with them.

In today’s time, some Nagas also identify as Christians due to the influence of missionaries in the 19th century. Their society is divided into clans and each village has its own chief. Nagas are renowned for artistry with wooden handicrafts, Naga shawls and wood carvings. The Hornbill festival is celebrated with music, dance, diverse customs and competitions.

5. Santhals

Santhals are another largest tribe of India spread across different states. You can find their settlements in Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal. They are best known for practising shifting cultivation and other agricultural practices. Santhals are also divided into clans and have a strong sense of community. 

Did you know they also practice animism and worship nature spirits? That surely is intriguing! Moreover, they are particularly popular for wall paintings and crafts that hold symbolic significance in the world of art. Get ready to witness mud huts and thatch showcasing the simplistic life of this tribe.

6. Munda

The Munda tribe is particularly found in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh. It is one of the unique tribes of India that is engaged in the practice of subsistence agriculture. The tribe is famous for their skills in hunting, forest gathering and shifting cultivation. 

The tribe follows a patrilineal system and speaks the Munda language. Interestingly, they preserve their rich cultural heritage with traditional dances named paika and karma. Mundas are most probably engaged in creating household items, weapons and ritualistic artefacts reflecting their deep connection to nature.

7. Great Andamanese

Far away in the islands of Andaman reside the Great Andamanese indigenous tribes. It was one of the biggest tribes of India; however, their population declined due to colonisation. The tribe resides on the Strait Island under Indian government protection. What’s more? Access to them is quite limited for the general public due to their love for a traditional living setting. 

Their diet includes pigs, fish, turtles and roots. The Great Andamanese are excellent at making forest weapons, including bows and arrows. They indulge in stories, music and celebrate mythological tales. Interestingly, each clan is divided with a specific animal, making it quite intriguing to know!

8. Garo

Meghalaya is home to many tribal settlements! Garos are also located on the hills of the same state. However, they are different from the Khasis due to their location on the hill. They practice terrace cultivation considering the naturally blessed lands. Garos are deeply rooted in animism and also worship natural elements. 

Certain parts of the mountains are open to the public, where you can stay and understand the culture. Staying in mud and bamboo houses is certainly adventurous. Being one of the accessible tribes of India, you can attend the Wangala festival. It includes traditional drums, music and dance to honour the sun god. Their unique cultural identity blends traditional customs with modern influence.

9. Bhutia 

Introducing an indigenous community residing in the mountainous regions of Sikkim, the Bhutia tribe is particularly found in Bhutan and West Bengal. They are predominantly Buddhists due to the influence of many monasteries and Buddhism. You can witness houses made with stone and wood reflecting their adaptation to the mountain climate.

If you wish to watch one of the vibrant tribes of India, attend the Losar festival. It is a celebration that includes prayer music and the famous cham dance. Most of their festivals celebrate the victory of good over evil, reflecting their rich heritage. While it is a small community, their rituals are deep-rooted with true belongingness among the members.

10. Angami

If you wish to witness the lifestyle of Angamis, drive and straightaway head to Kohima. It is their primary residence and you can definitely spend a night here. Considering this strategic location of the region, they were historically known for their warrior tradition. Past suggests that they have often been involved in conflicts due to their strength and power. 

In today’s time, the tribe is renowned for woodwork, pottery and weaving shawls. Certain communities also follow Christianity, along with the traditions of Angami society. Their dances and music also reflect their culture and warrior attitude, symbolising their enriching past. Now that you are ready to explore, check out the best Kohima tourist places for a serene getaway. 

11. Brokpa 

You must be wondering if tribes of India are also found in the harsh and dropping climate of Ladakh! The Brokpa tribe is here to surprise you with their yak and sheep herding practices in the high-altitude region. They are located in rugged terrain and belong to the Indo-Arya race. The tribe is deeply involved in a pastoral lifestyle wherein they locate themselves from one place to another.

They follow animistic beliefs as well as certain practices of Buddhism. Their prayers are dedicated to the Buddhist gods along with natural elements and spirits. Lastly, notice their interesting headdresses made with flowers, symbolising fertility and femininity.

12. Chenchu

The Chenchus are a tribal community located in the deep forests of Telangana. They are also found in certain parts of Karnataka. They were traditionally known as hunter-gatherers as they relied on forests and animals for their livelihood. However, some of them now follow agricultural practices. 

Many of them prefer to live amidst nature. Chenchus like to preserve their heritage by not getting involved in the outside world. They centre around worshipping nature and ancestral spirits. They are deeply rooted in the traditional lifestyle and prefer to perform ceremonies or festivals in their local environment.

13. Gujjars

Introducing one of the unique tribes of India that follows a sense of pastoral community. Gujjars are found in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir. In ancient times, Gujjar were known as cattle herders. They followed a transhumance pattern. 

It is a seasonal migration pattern where they keep moving from highland pastures in summer to lowland valleys in winter. Currently, they have settled in certain specific areas to practice agriculture. They also speak various languages, including Pahari, Hindi and Urdu. Along with this, they celebrate festivals like Teej and Diwali, showcasing their unity with other religions.

14. Shompen

You might have never heard of the Shompens living on the Great Nicobar Island. They are one of the preserved and unseen tribes of India. In fact, they are the least studied tribals by people as well as avid travellers. It is believed that they are traditionally involved in hunting and relying on the national resources for their livelihood. Even their diet includes monkeys, lizards, pigs, roots and fruits.  

They are experts in hunting and gathering a large amount of food for their journey from one place to another. They have their language and deep connection with the environment. Just like other Indian tribes, they worship nature, spirits and ancestral spirits. They have limited interaction with the outside world. The Indian government has made good efforts to protect the cultural heritage of Shompens.

They like to live in isolation in their pristine habitat. It is important to note that the 2024 elections witnessed many members of the Shompen tribe who came to vote for the country. The act shows the importance of connecting people without harming their ecosystem. 

15. Lahauls

As the name suggests, Lahaulis live in the Lahaul-Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh. Unlike other tribes of India, they speak Hindi, English and Bhoti (a Tibetan dialect) languages. Moreover, they are quite welcoming and also offer homestay facilities to travellers. 

The Lahaulis also follow a nomadic life due to the harsh climate in the region. The tribe is influenced by Buddhist practices and takes active participation in the prayers. Losar and Halda festivals are the prime days of celebrations for Lahaulis. You can witness a blend of music, dance and traditional rituals.

Tribal Tourism: A Cultural Extravaganza!

Tribal tourism has recently gained popularity due to many government initiatives. While most tribal communities enjoy their space, many are opening their houses for an adventurous experience. 

The Indian government has taken significant actions to let travellers enjoy a unique time with the tribes of India. That’s also why many places are registered for tribal tourism, thereby attracting tourists from all over the globe. During your tour, you get an opportunity to understand the everyday lifestyle of these tribes. You can learn about their occupation, prayer rituals, dance forms, music and other customs. 

As you spend time with them, you also get exposed to their cooking techniques and food habits. If you happen to attend one of their festivals, you can literally understand the essence of a tribal lifestyle. This experience is particularly for travellers willing to explore a new dimension of travel in a simplistic living setting.

Tribes of India: Preserving the Rich Heritage but Why?

Just like most travellers think of exploring the unexplored, the case is totally different when we talk about the tribes of India. Wanderers do think about the secretive and less-explored life of tribal communities. While you love to find the hidden gems and people in different parts of India, there are certain reasons as to why tribes are protected by the government. As a responsible tourist, you must know them not only to support but also to spread awareness about tribal tourism in India.

Multiple tribes of India reside in the silent nooks and corners away from your vision. They can be on islands, near the rivers or amidst the deep forests. To your surprise, the Indian government offers protection to most tribal communities. One of the top reasons is their past. Many tribes were exploited and faced discrimination issues from other communities. 

It is equally important to protect the beliefs, traditions and cultural practices of tribes. Disrupting their lifestyle simply by forcing them to follow a generic lifestyle is not a righteous move. Moreover, they have adapted to their living conditions, making them happy in their space. Exposing them to the outside world can lead to injustice and marginalisation. Hence, preserving their ethnicity and rights is important to maintain harmony among all citizens of the country. 

Journey to the Tribal Destinations!

Now that you know the major tribes of India, it is time to visit the places accessible to tourists. If you are up for a thrilling adventure with communities from faraway lands and thoughts, this experience is for you. 

Make sure to respect their local customs and traditions as you visit them. It is important for travellers to understand that every part of India, along with its people, is beautifully wrapped in the essence of unity in diversity.