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The Adivasis

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The Adivasis 

Primary Sources for Studies of Tribal Life in India

Page Last Updated: March 09,2008


The Adivasis (literally meaning original dwellers) are the indigenous people of India who maintained the early lifestyles of mankind till the 19th century. They are also referred to as "Vanavasis" (meaning forest dwellers), "Girijans" (meaning people of the mountain), and "Mulavasis".

Many of the photographs were taken just before the modernization was to hit the native lifestyles (hunting, free-sex, and blending with nature) of Adivasis, and much of the Adivasi culture is lost today due to reform, modernization, education, rehabilitation, religious conversions, and exploitation. 

We hope that this archive of primary resources collected by anthropologists through extensive field-study and interviews will be an asset to students of Tribal life in India.



Adivasi Dancer Stops for a Smoke
Narayanapur Mela, Madhya Pradesh
Adivasis of Madhya Pradesh
Indigenous Habitat
Adivasi Habitat, Madhya Pradesh
Known as Manchal, this is the typical habitat of the tribals of Madhya Pradesh.

Ancient Means and Ways
A tribal man aims his catapult on a bird. The village of Chetedongar, Madhya Pradesh
Tribals of India
Tribal Dancer
Dancer at the Narayanpur Mela
Madhya Pradesh, circa 1977

Daughter of the Forest God
The Adivasis
Korku  Tribals
Five Men of Korku Tribe
Notice the their attire

Flowers & Feathers Worn by a Muria Adivasi
Tribals of Bastar
The Gond Tribe
Gonda Youngster
The Village of Jamunjari, July 1976

A Gondati's Tattoo
The village of Bhimbetaka, Madhya Pradesh
Tribal Tattoos
Indigenous People of India
A Man belonging to Native Maratha (kad-maratha) Community

Mascular Tribal Youngster
Jagadalpur, 1976
Tribals of India
Tribal Life in India
Social Drinking among Tribals of India
While social drinking is frowned upon among the civilized in India, among the natives, it is very common.

A tribal hut constructed without bricks, steel or mortar
Central India, circa 1976
Tribal Life of India
Tribal Women
Tribal Women with Produce to be Sold on the Market-day
Village of Narayanpur, Central India

Tribal Woman with Piercings
Indigenous People of India
Tribal Women
Tribal Women, Central India

Tribal Woman of Gramokkal Community in Traditional Saree
The village of Kodkani, Uttara Kannada. Circa 1980
The Gramokkal Tribe
Tribals of Central India
Tribal Women, Bastar
Careful inspection of the photograph reveals tribal tattoos and tribal jewelry

Tribal Youth with an Axe
Photograph colored by K.L.Kamat
Tribal Fashions
Tribals of Madhya Pradesh
Tribal Youngster with Horn Decorartions

Two Adivasi Girls in town of Narayanpur
Notice their head décor. Bastar, circa 1976
Tribals in Town
Tribals of India
Villagers at Jagadalpur Dasara

Young and Innocent
Young girl at the tribal educational institute of Ghotul, 1977
Adivasi Girl
Tribals of Bastar
A Youngster Belonging to Muria Tribe
Photograph hand-colored by K.L. Kamat

See Also:

Primary Sources of Research on the indigenous people of India
Adivasi Picture Collection

A Youngster Belonging to Muria TribeFlowers & Feathers Worn by a Muria AdivasiTribal Youth with an AxeSocial Drinking among Tribals of IndiaTwo Adivasi Girls in town of Narayanpur
A tribal hut constructed without bricks, steel or mortarTribal Women with Produce to be Sold on the Market-dayA Man belonging to Native Maratha (kad-maratha) CommunityTribal Woman with PiercingsDancer at the Narayanpur Mela
Adivasi Dancer Stops for a SmokeA Gondatis TattooGonda YoungsterAdivasi Habitat, Madhya PradeshAncient Means and Ways
Young and InnocentDaughter of the Forest GodMascular Tribal YoungsterVillagers at Jagadalpur DasaraTribal Woman of Gramokkal Community  in Traditional Saree
Five Men of  Korku TribeTribal Women, BastarTribal Youngster with Horn DecorartionsTribal Women, Central India

Tribals of India Collection

Tribal Women in Town trying to Get a Glimpse of Inside of a HouseWestern style <b>dating</b> is an integral part of tribal education system among the Murias of Madhya PradeshBuffalo-horn head gear, Madhya PradeshLight heart cures povertyA Halakki woman going to market to sell vegetablesTribal BeautyWhat is Nuclear Testing?
Tribals decorating  a head-gearTribal Women Gathered for All-Night Long DanceA Toda Village Elder in Nilgiri MountainsA Lambani Woman and her JewelryA Tribal woman wearing self-made jewelry, Madhya PradeshBorn in poverty, raised in poverty….Tribal Women at a Weekly Marketplace
Halakki Women in a Group DanceBells of a Adivasi DancerKorku Tribal with his Stick ToolTribal  Dancer at a Tribal Education InstitutionDecorated Headgear of a Tribal StudentGramokkal Lady of Hebbar Hittal, 1987Halbi Tribal Man Praying in front of a Tulasi
Tribal Women on their Way to MarketDaughter of the ForestDancing Tribal WomenMan Belonging to the Korku TribeA Girl Belonging to the Santhal Tribe and her PetTribal Girl in UniclothThe Female of the Tribe
Man Belonging to the Kadu Kuruba TribeBangles that resemble AnkletsTattoos of a Tribal WomanA Sundi TribalA Youngster belonging to the Gonda TribeBison Horn Maria DrummerDancers Walking on Stilts
Finely Crafted Bangle Long Distance Walking

Kamat Reference Database

Kamat's Potpourri India Reference Database The Adivasis

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