Adivasi Divas 2023: Adivasi Divas is a regional holiday celebrated annually on August 9. It coincides with the United Nations’ 1993 declaration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. ‘Adivasi’ refers to numerous Indian subcontinental tribes, whereas ‘Divas’ means ‘day’ in Hindi. Indigenous people are frequently among the impoverished ethnic groups in modern society, despite numerous social advancements. Adivasi Divas aims to acknowledge the difficulties these people continue to face in the present, as well as to honour their tenacity and struggle for advancement. Over 9 percent of India’s population, or approximately 104 million people, fell into this category.
THE HISTORY OF THE ADIVASI DIVAS
Adivasi are the indigenous clans of the subcontinent of India. People from these clans primarily reside in India as foragers or tribalistic sedentary communities. The term also refers to ethnic minorities in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, which are neighbouring nations. However, India does not recognise tribes as native populations.
These tribes are regarded as India’s primordial inhabitants, preceding the Dravidian and Indo-Aryan peoples. However, many Adivasi communities were established after the fall of the Indus Valley Civilization. In ancient and mediaeval India, despite being considered socially and economically backward, the Adivasis frequently enjoyed autonomy and developed hybrid hunter-gatherer and agricultural economies. Local rulers in some regions deemed it essential to gain Adivasi consent and support.
In central India, larger Adivasi communities maintained their kingdoms. Meenas and Gond Rajas of Garha-Mandla and Chanda constituted an Adivasi aristocracy. During the reign of the Mughals in India, relations between the two communities deteriorated, resulting in the deaths of a significant number of individuals.
Under British rule, the colonial administration intruded upon the tribal system, causing the tribes to resent and rebel against the British. Rising feudalism in India under British rule exacerbated their relations and contributed to the tribes’ social and economic decline. The British confiscated forest and farmland belonging to the tribes, but instead of aiding the communities, they imposed taxes on them. When the communities could not pay, they were forced into servitude.
In 1789, after being exposed to prevalent infectious diseases from Eurasia, the isolated tribes of South Andaman Island experienced a massive population decline.
5 FACTS ABOUT THE ADIVASI YOU MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN
- Despite a number of safeguards, the Adivasi community continues to endure discrimination from India’s majority population.
- Due to a dearth of resources, a significant number of Adivasi children drop out of school early and are unable to continue their education.
- It is estimated that nearly half of the Adivasi population lives below the national poverty limit.
- Many communities continue to lose their residences due to economic ambitions such as mining, dam construction, and other large-scale development projects.
- There are only a few uncontacted communities in the world where the Indian government has banned travel within three nautical miles of the island.
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WHY ADIVASI DIVAS IS CONSIDERABLE
The Adivasi communities possess a wealth of traditions, culture, and heritage that is difficult to disregard. It is essential to preserve this, but we cannot do so without learning more about the individuals who created it.
The Adivasis have made significant contributions to the Indian subcontinent’s diverse culture. In addition to their expertise in sustainable agricultural practises and the preservation of fauna and nature, they are also experts in these areas.
The Adivasis have been marginalised for decades, and despite government assistance, many of them lack the means to escape destitution. If we wish to create a more equitable world, it is crucial that we raise awareness about them.
