Life turned upside down for two Kondh Adivasis in Odisha after they lost their limb mobility while growing up, one that left them severely dejected and crestfallen. But then, something happened that turned around their lives, for the better. Niroj Ranjan Misra tells us what

Even before the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 it was the Santhal tribals who had first sounded the bugle of revolt against British, and Zamindari, oppression with women playing a key role. June 30 is observed as Hul Diwas. The Indian Tribal brings to you its historical, cultural, [...]

Across India, tribals, especially the women, wear a lot of jewellery, and these vary in look and feel. Deepanwita Gita Niyogi writes about the nature-inspired jewellery of Baigas

Marginalised tribal women in a nondescript village in Chhattisgarh’s Baloda Bazar district are much enterprising in their endeavours, finds out Deepanwita Gita Niyogi as she takes a walk around

Deepanwita Gita Niyogi gets to know how an eight-year-old initiative is helping over 100 students, mostly tribals, from villages within a radius of 15 km of the big cats’ habitat

Used to vegetable farming traditionally, several Adivasi couples in Keonjhar district hesitatingly took up strawberry farming on the insistence of ITDA. Niroj Ranjan Misra finds out whether it clicked or not

From juicy flowers bursting with flavours to drying and ending up as an intoxicating brew in bottles as liquor, Mahua’s story is deep, beyond ornamentation and intrinsic to tribal culture, writes Deepanwita Gita Niyogi

While nearly 40 Santali jatra troupes were alive more than two decades ago, only about 15 in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Balasore districts still fight on. Niroj Ranjan Misra delves deep into the concerning issue

Despite extended spells of lows, he has been for over five decades now enthralling audiences with his unique and innovative techniques in operating his 300-odd puppets. Sadly, his kitty is still empty of honours. Niroj Ranjan Misra sheds light on the talented, unrewarded puppeteer

Constructing a Gudi (memory/deceased pillar) is a tradition in the Maria, Muria and Gond tribes of Bastar and Dantewada in Chhattisgarh. Tribal researcher Prof. Ramya sheds light on their unique practice and the different types of Gudis

Overall, around 550 Adivasi guests, invited by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, are attending the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi. They'll stay for 10 days, visiting key landmarks in the national capital and nearby areas while engaging in cultural exchanges. The Indian Tribal reports

With 40 crore devotees from across the globe set to descend on Prayagraj to immerse in a once-in-a-lifetime-experience at the Maha Kumbh, the Union Culture Ministry has made grand plans to showcase India’s rich cultural diversity and heritage. The Indian Tribal reports

After decades of neglect of this Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, which resides exclusively in Odisha, a recent development in their remote village has brought much joy and cheer to the residents even as it has raised hopes for a better future of their children. Niroj Ranjan Misra tells [...]

The Centre and Odisha government’s initiative to increase scientific farming of millets and its consumption is yielding positive results in adivasi-dominated villages of Koraput. Niroj Ranjan Misra takes a closer look

Soon after the Diwali celebrations are over, tribals in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, in particular, start celebrating Sohrai — a six-day festival that usually coincides with Gowardhan Puja. Sudhir Kumar Mishra tells us more about the biggest festival of Santhals

A Government school in a remote tribal-dominated village in Malkangiri district of Odisha recently adopted a unique way to teach students a mix of latest and traditional marketing trends. Niroj Ranjan Misra got interested

Had BJP won a handful of ST seats from the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, its prospects of forming its first government on its own in J&K would have gotten a big boost. The Indian Tribal reports

Hailing from a nondescript Naxalite-affected block, some 90 km from State capital Ranchi, this beneficiary of a Jharkhand government scholarship created a flutter at the University of East London, Docklands, UK with her indigenous contemporary art. She tells Sudhir Kumar Mishra about her next plans

Do you know why three branches of the Karma or Karam tree (Nauclea Parvifolia) are planted in the soil of courtyards or in the village akhra, the community centre? The Indian Tribal gives you all such details

For the last three years, a unique and interesting initiative to preserve and promote the endangered Asur language of one of the oldest Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) of India continues in Jharkhand through a very indigenous but ingenious system. Sudhir Kumar Mishra brings you the details

Once themselves being hunted by the police, the two are now not just part of the Chhattisgarh police force but also actively take part in operations against their erstwhile banned outfit. They even play key roles in getting other top Naxalites to surrender. Vijay Singh Thakur caught up [...]

What is the Day officially called? Where was the decision to celebrate the Day taken? Why was the decision taken? Do you know why the Day is observed on August 9 every year? The Indian Tribal brings you the answers to all such queries about the special day

Incurring huge losses in cotton cultivation, more and more Adivasi families in Koraput in Odisha are now switching to lemongrass farming, which is far more profitable, writes Niroj Ranjan Misra

The impact of modern education and the fear of pain are making adolescent Adivasi girls stay away from this traditional tribal tattooing process, finds out Deepanwita Gita Niyogi

Sailodi is a singing-dancing game that unmarried girls indulge in during the winter in some tribal-dominated villages in this eastern State. Niroj Ranjan Misra gets to know more about it

Water scarcity and poverty haven’t deterred the tribals of Chhattarpur and Damoh districts in Madhya Pradesh to bring out their creative best through murals that beautify the walls and the area around the doors and windows of their houses. Deepanwita Gita Niyogi takes a closer look

Surrounded by crocodiles-infested waters and forests full of man-eating tigers, they have nowhere to go. To them, Netas of Kolkata are as invisible as the God of the heavens. S. Shrobana hears them out. PART-2

Elections come and elections go but the condition of the ‘Tiger widows’ of Bidhoba Para — Widows’ Village — in West Bengal continues to remain unchanged. S. Shrobona visits one such village

Caught between tribal emotions and Kurmi sentiments, all the political parties — from the Left to the BJP to the Trinamool Congress —are finding themselves in a tight corner in the ongoing elections in this part of Jangalmahal in West Bengal. S. Shrobana reports

In contrast to its neighbour Chhattisgarh, the six Scheduled Tribes (ST) reserved parliamentary constituencies of Madhya Pradesh recorded a lower polling turnout in the four-phased 2024 general elections compared to 2019. Vijay Singh Thakur reports

Streamlined in 2018 by the then Divisional Forest Officer in Naxal-infested Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh, the initiative continues to help tribal women earn a decent livelihood. Deepanwita Gita Niyogi brings you the details

Just six months ago, Adivasis helped the BJP storm back to power in the State. Will their higher turnout help BJP achieve its target of winning all the 11 Lok Sabha seats? After all, the party had been bagging the lion’s share since 2004. Vijay Singh Thakur reports

Started by the Gram Sabhas in 1989-90 due to a loss of greenery, the movement by tribals in Odisha’s Koraput to revive and rejuvenate the lost sylvan beauty of nearby forests got a fresh momentum with the entry of NGO FES and continues full steam to this day. [...]

Their short films for children have not only received critics’ rave reviews and cine goers’ loud acclaim but also scores of awards at several national and international platforms. Niroj Ranjan Misra speaks to the two Directors

In the run-up to this Ram Navami on April 17 — the first after the construction of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the installation of the lord’s idol — roots, berries and fruits, consumed by tribals and offered to Lord Ram during his 14-year vanvaas, have [...]

The Kondh tribals, both young and old, worship their presiding deity during Chaitra with music, dancing and feasting. Niroj Ranjan Misra seeks to know more about the festival

The Kurmis or Kudmis have been asking for Scheduled Tribe status and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. They claim that they were classified as a “notified tribe” during the British Raj. S. Shrobana reports. PART-2

With their rail and road blockades not yielding the desired result, the Adivasi Kurmi Samaj has decided to field its candidates in Purulia, Bankura, Midnapore and Jhargram to ruin the party of BJP and TMC. S. Shrobana digs deep into the issue in a 2-part series.  PART-1

The British de-notified the Sabars through the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 accusing them of criminal activities. But subsequent legislations and amendments too were not kind to this tribal community, writes S. Shrobana PART-2

Even their deaths due to starvation failed to force successive Governments to effectively come to the rescue of this primitive tribe group. In a two-part series, S. Shrobana takes a closer look at the community, scattered in Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapore PART-1

Sandesh stands for a famous Bengali sweetmeat. Ironically, there is nothing sweet about Sandeshkhali. Instead, women of the island, mostly tribals, finally gathered courage to send out a sandesh (message) to the powers that be about their allegedly hellish experiences at the hands of a politically-protected local strongman [...]

By and large, a run of the mill, inconspicuous, semi-urban administrative block of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, the tribal-dominated region hit the national headlines in two tranches, and has kept the political cauldron boiling. S. Shrobana digs deep into the burning issue in a two-part series. [...]

President Droupadi Murmu will visit Medaram on February 23. Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will also attend the fair the same day. What is so special about this fair? The Indian Tribal brings you all the details

Over 10 lakh people visited the vibrant socio-cultural event depicting the State’s tribal life and it generated revenue worth over Rs 5 crore. The Mela also included a 3-day multilingual drama festival. The Indian Tribal reports

Thousands of Adivasi farmers in Odisha are now getting engaged in farming Alsi that has high nutritional, medicinal and commercial values. Experts say, its farming and marketing ought to be promoted by the Government as it does for millet under its Millet Mission, writes Niroj Ranjan Misra

Chhattisgarh’s age-old craft as part of which beautiful lamps and sustainable water containers are created from dried bottle gourd shells is witnessing a slow death, discovers Deepanwita Gita Niyogi

A sizeable population of tribals in Jharkhand follows Christianity but most of them have now begun celebrating Christmas in their own ‘desi’ style. Sudhir Kumar Mishra tells you how

Trained by scientists in organic mulching, tribal farmers in a couple of districts in the eastern State are reaping benefits in turmeric farming as their earning has witnessed a five-fold increase. Niroj Ranjan Misra takes a close look

The Kondhs’ wedding ceremony takes place over two days packed with fun, food and music. Niroj Ranjan Misra joins a marriage procession to get a better look

While the older women of this Maharashtrian tribe stick to their age-old attire, the younger ones prefer going for a change, finds out Deepanwita Gita Niyogi

Some three years since it came into existence, the all-women enterprise with tribals in large numbers in Kondagaon district of Bastar is seeking to soar higher. Deepanwita Gita Niyogi visits the centre to find out more

Had it not been for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s extensive tribal push, the BJP would not have notched up such victories in the recent Assembly polls as the Congress came a close second overall in terms of winning seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
M. Madhusudan breaks it down [...]

Tribal farmers in a remote rural spot in Odisha’s Sundargarh district have benefitted from a government intervention that has increased their farm yield and given them a leg-up economically, finds out Niroj Ranjan Misra

The sight of sloping double-roofed mud houses dotting the verdant green landscape around the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh immediately catches one’s attention. Curiosity drives Deepanwita Gita Niyogi towards them

As many as five varieties of wild flowers found in the kitchens of tribals in Odisha have been found to be rich in their nutrient and nutraceutical potential. Niroj Ranjan Misra finds out about their culinary and medicinal utilities

Mahua is a sacred tree in Chhattisgarh and its liquor is synonymous with the culture of tribal-dominated Bastar. But there is another refreshing drink to try and that is called Salfi. Deepanwita Gita Niyogi finds out more about it as she gets to taste it

Based on the foot of Thakurani Hills in Kendujhar district of Odisha, the Murga Mahadev Temple is a living example of tribal and Vedic faiths. Sudhir Kumar Mishra visits the sacred place to find out its history

Situated in the picturesque Chandenar village of Naxal-infested Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh, the school is offering alternative education to Adivasi children belonging to Gond and Halbi communities, finds out Deepanwita Gita Niyogi

Almost a quarter of the total 679 seats in the five States where Assembly polls will be held next month are reserved for Scheduled Tribes who will play a crucial role in determining the fate of the Congress, the BJP and others. The Indian Tribal looks at the [...]

A non-tribal painter is contributing his bit in keeping popular tribal art forms like Gond of Madhya Pradesh and Warli of Maharashtra alive through beautiful wall paintings, writes Deepanwita Gita Niyogi

Adivasis are gearing up to celebrate one of their major festivals Karam (also known as Karma Puja), traditionally celebrated on the 11th day of Bhadrapad (Bhado ka Ekadashi) and falling on September 25 this year. Sudhir Kumar Mishra sheds light on the festival

Once a Naxal stronghold, Bastar district in Chhattisgarh is undergoing an image makeover through various tourism initiatives to attract visitors to its natural beauty and tribal lifestyle, reports Deepanwita Gita Niyogi

For the last four decades, a group of 11 artistes, comprising some daily wagers and some housewives, has been assiduously performing to ensure Dula Biha, once an integral segment of tribal nuptials, is alive at least on stage. Niroj Ranjan Misra meets them to know more

Farmers in tribal-dominated villages in Dhenkanal are literally being shown the benefits of using two organic pest controllers-cum-fertilisers, made up of cow dung, bovine urine, neem leaves among others, before being encouraged to use them, finds out Niroj Ranjan Misra as he hits the ground

The BJP seeks to reap political dividends in the Pir Panjal region with its bid to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Paharis of J&K. The Indian Tribal seeks to find out how (PART-2)

Manipur HC's recommendation for consideration of ST status to Meiteis resulted in bloodbath. Centre's similar recommendation for Paharis through a Bill is creating a major unrest in J&K. The Indian Tribal gives a lowdown (Part-1)

In the International Year of Millet, a set of six millet genotypes, grown traditionally by tribals in Koraput district of Odisha, have been found to be more drought-resilient than others. Niroj Ranjan Misra seeks to know more about the findings

The desert State’s Mandana art, depicting the link between nature and culture, is a dying art now with kuccha houses making way for pucca ones under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana being one of the reasons, finds out Deepanwita Gita Niyogi

The uncontrolled bloodshed and unrest is the result of underestimating ethnic fault-lines in the “most insurgency-ridden State of India” with some 15 violent outfits fighting on lines of tribe and community, reasons Mrittika Jain

Once lauded, porta cabin residential schools in the State’s extremism-affected districts are in the news for wrong reasons following the incident of rape in one such pre-fabricated structure, Deepanwita Gita Niyogi reports

Recruited as patrolling guards in the Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district over the last one year, they share their experiences with Deepanwita Gita Niyogi

A mix of bamboo seeds, muddy soil, compost and pesticide of the size of cricket balls could well play a big role in lessening or preventing human-elephant conflicts in Odisha, three years from now. Niroj Ranjan Misra finds out all about the unique initiative by a bunch of [...]

The fresh paddy crop is celebrated with great cheer in the month of Shravan across large swathes of Odisha. In tribal-dominated Malkangiri though, it is celebrated with much pomp and show. Niroj Ranjan Misra tells us what the ‘Kumuda Nuakhai’ festival is all about

A year since the Chhattisgarh government recognised the Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) of Gudiyapadar, a village situated inside the Kanger Valley National Park in Bastar district, Deepanwita Gita Niyogi takes a peek into a day's life of the Gond forest dwellers

Unlike his contemporaries, this Bhotra tribesman from Nabarangpur took the lead in honing his skills to magnify and multiply his array of designs and make a mark, Niroj Ranjan Misra reports

A Bhumija tribal, hailing from a big carpenter family, he has been instrumental in setting up the Odisha Cartoonists’ Academy. Niroj Ranjan Misra gets to know him closely

A group of tribal women hailing from a small village in Assam has taken over the responsibility of ensuring supply of clean drinking water to households and water security, finds out Proyashi Barua

A Mass Communication teacher is ready with a first-of-its-kind ethnographic film on the Bathudi tribe, whose members claim themselves to be descendants of Balram and Subhadra (siblings of Lord Krishna). Options of its release on an OTT platform too are being explored, Sudhir Kumar Mishra reports

CSR is often discharged merely to meet legal obligations or gain reputational benefits. Kumar Harsh tries to find out from the grassroots man Harsh Chouhan, Chairperson, NCST, the transformative potential of CSR when approached with a genuine understanding of and engagement with tribal communities

A group of present and former employees of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited morphs into a band of tribals to portray on stage the simple indigenous lifestyle fraught with taboos and traditions. Niroj Ranjan Misra gets to know them

When evening draws in, they flock to this site to sink in the discourses and discussions on holy Bhagawata, the literary magnum opus penned by Atibadi Jagannath Das, one among Panchasakha, five saint-litterateurs of medieval Odisha, finds out Niroj Ranjan Misra

Nature and Hindu mythology have a cardinal influence on the folk heritage of Assam’s tribal communities. No wonder then that the north-eastern State is a folk connoisseur’s paradise, writes Proyashi Barua

On 5th May, every year, the State celebrates its indigenous cultural icon for his pivotal contribution to the evolution of Santhali language through the creation of the Ol-Chiki script. Sandip Kumar Bal takes a look at how his legacy is being carried forward in Odisha

New Delhi

'Love in 90s', the first-ever movie based on the Tagin community, one of the major tribes in the Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, brings the rich culture of the far North-eastern State to the national stage.

Jagannath Rath Yatra or the festival of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balbhadra is celebrated with fervour across [...]

Beautiful and unique materials and designs adorn the clothes of the Apatani, Idu Mishmi, Monpa and other tribes of this picturesque state. Proyashi Barua tries to put her finger on the immense variety of Arunachali attire

Both of Odisha’s entries at the International Short Film Festival were awarded, leaving the directors, actors and scriptwriters beaming. Niroj Ranjan Misra watches the sensitive tribal topics picked up by the movies

The heavy ornaments worn by Jammu & Kashmir’s nomadic tribes are a unique but fast-eroding craft. The Indian Tribal explores the significance and prevalence of designs these women have been wearing since days of yore

NGO Pragati has not only changed the methods of farming but also the fortunes of several Gadaba, Paraja and Kondh adivasis belonging to seven villages in the southern Odisha district. Niroj Ranjan Misra roams the fields to see how it works

Part 3 : Organisation and structure are still lacking in Jollywood, making things difficult for those who want to produce cinema locally. Sudhir Kumar Mishra describes the scene

Part 2 :Jollywood may have crossed its nascent stage but due to lack of infrastructure, local interest and incentives by the State government, it continues to be a poor cousin of Bollywood and Tollywood. Sudhir Kumar Mishra delves deep to give a fresh perspective

Part 1 : More than 50 years have passed since the first films were made in Jharkhand. Its natural beauty and talent pool have a lot of cine potential which remains to be tapped. Sudhir Kumar Mishra gets a better view in a three-part series

Strength in numbers is evident among the Dongria Kondhs of Baliguda town. Niroj Ranjan Misra hears the story of their evolution to a producer group

Mats, toys and brooms woven from date palm leaf stalks provide a livelihood to some tribal women in Nuapada district. Niroj Ranjan Misra delves into the history

Tripuri tribes have unique attire, where even the colour can have significance. The worst punishment a weaver can ever get is to be forbidden the use of a colour or colours, informs Proyashi Barua

A tribal couple must organise a grand banquet for the entire village if they tie the knot, else their marriage is not held legit. Unable to bear the costs, they go for a live-in relationship wherein the girl has no rights. An NGO has now come to their [...]

The famous Tana Bhagat movement contributed to India’s Independence struggle, but the tribal descendants of the freedom fighters remain impoverished after the British exploitation. Sudhir Kumar Mishra walks down the path of history

Malkangiri’s Bada Didi believe nothing can stop sexual abuse more firmly in its tracks than awareness. Niroj Ranjan Misra walks along with the women who counsel young girls and children against abuse

Parched lands have transformed to fertile fields and brought a steady income for the residents of Sahala in Odisha. Niroj Ranjan Misra walks on the boundaries to research the science behind it

More than a hundred tribal women across Odisha work with self-help groups to make decorative and utility items from cotton waste. Niroj Ranjan Misra learns that nothing needs to go waste

With many tales and anecdotes about Sarhul, it’s easy to gauge the popularity of the festival. Sudhir Kumar Mishra walks among the sarai phool as he celebrates with the tribals

Small dairies have sprung up across Malkangiri and brought prosperity to the tribal women running them. Niroj Ranjan Misra joins them in the cowshed for an early morning chat

From nature worship to matrimony, fertility or agriculture — Mrittika Jain details how there are many aspects to the festival of colours as the Adivasi knows it, going beyond how the heartland celebrates Holi

Sundry tribes have their particular rituals and customs for Holi. The Rajwadi festival, informs Mrittika Jain, hasn’t changed for over 750 years now, the Rathwa and Pawara find love on that day, and the Santhali hail spring with flowers

A couple of ingenious friends leased 11 acres to start an organic farm, and in the process, helped many villagers stabilise their finances. Sudhir Kumar Mishra walks the green fields in Jharkhand

Luguburu Ghantabari in Jharkhand is an age-old religious institution of the Santhals that has now been popularised by increasing tourism. Sudhir Kumar Mishra makes the trip

Women in many tribal villages in Odisha have united to fight poverty and natural disasters with the help of a systematic structure – the Mahila Sangh. Niroj Ranjan Misra joins the Jayalamba village group in Kandhamal district to gauge its operations

Ho tribals of the forest have put their faith in a man with a heart of gold. Niroj Ranjan Misra shadows the much-loved Santosh Kumar Panda in his mission to bring comfort to the needy

Tribal development schemes are being revamped in Jammu & Kashmir and Tribal Affairs Secretary Shahid Choudhary details the measures being taken, in an exclusive interview with Mohit Kandhari. The spotlight is on education, he says

Jammu & Kashmir Tribal Affairs Secretary Shahid Choudhary explains to Mohit Kandhari how the department went about geotagging the tribal/nomadic Dhoks for ensuring welfare benefits

After the second wave of coronavirus infections hit, NHRC sounded the alarm on the safety of vulnerable tribals. Mrittika Jain enumerates the measures suggested

Not too many details or statistics are available for what is being done for India’s particularly vulnerable tribal groups since 2019, when the pandemic struck. Mrittika Jain explores

There is a reason why these tribes are tagged ‘particularly vulnerable.’ Mrittika Jain delves into where the categorisation came from and whom it concerns

One of the biggest folk festivals common to West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam and Odisha celebrates the strength of the woman. SUDHIR KUMAR MISHRA highlights how Tusu, coinciding with Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Lohri, is celebrated with much pomp and fervour by both tribals and non-tribals

The Saora tribal marriage in Odisha's Nuapada district is dramatic, involving abduction, tantrums and feasting. Niroj Ranjan Misra plays guest

Notwithstanding the overall improvement due to a slew of programmes and initiatives by the government, swathes of the tribal population still have very poor literacy levels. Mrittika Jain profiles 5 tribes with the lowest literacy levels in India

Tribes are very strongly connected to nature and the forests, which, in turn, nurture them. A group of Dongria Kondh shows Niroj Ranjan Misra what sustainable art is about

Part 1 :This is the land that remained out of bounds for Mughal monarchs and the colonial rulers in several ways

Part 2 : Jharkhand as a separate state was an idea that perhaps grew before its time but prevailed despite facing absolute opposition over the years

The Muria tribe in Chhattisgarh believes in Ghotul, the institution of sex education for children as also the place for unmarried men and women to mingle freely, Abhijat Shukla gives out details

ABHIJAT SHUKLA tells you how people in Chhattisgarh have held nature close to their heart - like nowhere else