New Delhi
The World Indigenous Peoples’ Day or World Tribal Day is officially called the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
But before going into the details, let us first start off with the most basic question:
Who Are Indigenous Peoples?
The United Nations came up with a working definition of “indigenous communities, peoples and nations”.
“Indigenous communities, peoples and nations are those which, having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now prevailing on those territories, or parts of them. They form at present non-dominant sectors of society and are determined to preserve, develop and transmit to future generations their ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity, as the basis of their continued existence as peoples, in accordance with their own cultural patterns, social institutions and legal system.
“This historical continuity may consist of the continuation, for an extended period reaching into the present of one or more of the following factors:
- Occupation of ancestral lands, or at least of part of them;
- Common ancestry with the original occupants of these lands;
- Culture in general, or in specific manifestations (such as religion, living under a tribal system, membership of an indigenous community, dress, means of livelihood, lifestyle, etc.);
- Language (whether used as the only language, as mother-tongue, as the habitual means of communication at home or in the family, or as the main, preferred, habitual, general or normal language);
- Residence on certain parts of the country, or in certain regions of the world;
- Other relevant factors.
“On an individual basis, an indigenous person is one who belongs to these indigenous populations through self-identification as indigenous (group consciousness) and is recognized and accepted by these populations as one of its members (acceptance by the group).
“This preserves for these communities the sovereign right and power to decide who belongs to them, without external interference”.
Another definition states: They are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live.
Statistically
- There are an estimated 47.6 crore Indigenous Peoples in the world living across 90 countries.
- They make up less than 6 per cent of the world’s population but account for at least 15 per cent of the poorest.
- They speak more than 4000 of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.
Why Is The Day Celebrated?
The UN says Indigenous Peoples have sought recognition of their identities, their way of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources for years. Yet, throughout history, their rights have been violated. Indigenous Peoples today, are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world. The international community now recognizes that special measures are required to protect their rights and maintain their distinct cultures and way of life.
Hence, the decision to raise awareness of the needs of these population groups.
Why August 9?
August 9 is commemorated as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples or World Tribal Day, as it was chosen in recognition of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations held on the day in Geneva in 1982. The UN General Assembly (UNGA) decided, in its resolution 449/214, to observe the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People annually, on August 9.
What Is The Theme For 2024?
Every year the Day has a special theme. This year, the focus is on ‘Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact.’
This is because Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact are the best protectors of the forest. Where their collective rights to lands and territories are protected, the forests thrive, alongside their societies. Not only is their survival crucial to the protection of our planet, but it is also essential to the preservation of cultural and linguistic diversity.
In today’s hyper-connected world, the existence of Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact is a testament to the rich and complex tapestry of humanity. It would be a huge loss to our world if they were to cease to exist.
Status
- Around 200 groups of Indigenous Peoples currently live in voluntary isolation and initial contact.
- They reside in remote forests rich in natural resources in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Peru and Venezuela.
- They choose to live detached from the rest of the world and their mobility pattern allows them to engage in gathering and hunting, thereby preserving their cultures and languages.
- They have a strict dependency on their ecological environment. Any changes to their natural habitat can harm both the survival of individual members and the group as a whole.
The Threat They Face
For Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation and initial contact, one of the most serious threats from external contact is the exposure to diseases. Due to their isolation, they do not have the immunological defenses to relatively common diseases. As such, forced contact with the outside world can lead to devastating consequences, and can destroy whole societies.
India Perspective
- More than 705 ethnic groups are listed as Scheduled Tribes (ST) or Adivasis in India.
- As per Census 2011, the population of Scheduled Tribes stands at 10.4 crore.
- STs comprise 8.6% of the total population.
- The largest concentrations of Indigenous Peoples are found in the seven states of north-east India besides Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand etc.
- The Government of Jharkhand has declared August 9 as a State holiday to commemorate the International Day Of The World’s Indigenous Peoples.
