What is tribe?
Tribes in India: A tribe is a social division within a traditional society consisting of families or communities linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties. Tribes are often characterized by a common culture, language, customs, and traditions. They typically have a distinct identity and a sense of belonging, with their own social structure, leadership, and governance systems.
Tribes can be found in various parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. They have existed throughout human history and continue to thrive in many regions today, although their ways of life and cultural practices may have evolved over time due to various factors such as modernization, globalization, and contact with other societies.
The term “tribe” is often used to describe indigenous or native communities that maintain a close connection with their ancestral lands, engage in traditional livelihoods such as hunting, gathering, fishing, or agriculture, and uphold their distinct cultural heritage. In some cases, tribes may also be referred to as “indigenous peoples,” “aboriginals,” or “First Nations” depending on the specific region or context.
It’s important to note that the term “tribe” can be contentious and may carry colonial or outdated connotations. Some prefer to use alternative terms such as “ethnic group,” “community,” or the specific name of the group in question to emphasize their unique cultural identities and histories. The understanding and interpretation of tribes vary across different societies and academic disciplines, and it is essential to approach the topic with cultural sensitivity and respect for the self-identifications and aspirations of these communities.
The Origin of Races In India
According to Dr. B. S. Guha’s classification, the population of India is derived from six main ethnic groups. Here is a recap:
Negritos:
The Negritos, characterized by their broad-headed (brachycephalic) features, were the earliest inhabitants of India. They are still found in their original habitat in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Examples of Negrito tribes include Jarewas, Onges, Sentinelese, and Great Andamanese.
Pro-Australoids or Austrics:
The Austrics are believed to have arrived in India after the Negritos. They have long heads with low foreheads, prominent eye ridges, broad-rooted noses, thick jaws, large palates, teeth, and small chins. Austric tribes are spread throughout India and are considered to be the builders of the Indus Valley Civilization. Their language is said to have survived in the Kol or Munda language spoken in Eastern and Central India.
Mongoloids:
The Mongoloid ethnic groups in India share physical features commonly found in people from Mongolia, China, and Tibet. They typically have yellow complexions, oblique eyes, high cheekbones, sparse hair, and medium height. Mongoloid tribal groups are primarily located in Northeastern India, including states like Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, as well as Ladakh and Sikkim.
Mediterranean or Dravidian:
The Mediterranean or Dravidian group is said to have migrated to India from Southwest Asia. They are associated with the Indus Valley Civilization and are believed to have spread across the entire Indian subcontinent, supplanting Austrics and Negritos. The Dravidians comprise different sub-types, including Paleo-Mediterranean, true Mediterranean, and Oriental Mediterranean. They form a significant portion of the scheduled castes in North India.
Western Brachycephals:
This category includes Western Brachycephalic ethnic groups, such as Alpinoids, Dinaries, and Armenoids. Communities like the Coorgis and Parsis are included in this group.
Nordics:
The Nordics or Indo-Aryans are considered the last immigrant group to arrive in India. They are believed to be a branch of the Indo-Iranians who migrated from Central Asia around 2000-1500 BCE. The Aryans initially settled in western and northern Punjab and then spread to the Gangetic Valley and beyond. Many of these tribes are currently concentrated in the Northwest and Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) of India and are often associated with the “upper castes.”
Major Tribes in India- Statewise List
| S in Indiatate | Tribes |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Andh, Sadhu Andh, Bhagata, Bhil Chenchus (Chenchawar), Gadabas, Gond, Goundu Jatapus, Kammara, Kattunayakan, Kolawar, Kolam, Konda Manna Dhora, Pardhan, Rona, Savaras, Dabba Yerukula Nakkala, Dhulia, Thoti, Sugalis. |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Apatanis, Abor, Dafla, Galong Momba, Sherdukpen, Singpho, Mishmi. |
| Assam | Chakma, Chutiya, Dimasa, Hajong, Garos, Khasis Gangte. |
| Bihar | Asur, Baiga, Birhor, Birjia, Chero, Gond, Parhaiya Santhals, Savar. |
| Chhattisgarh | Agariya, Bhaina, Bhattra, Biar, Khond Mawasi, Nagasia. |
| Goa | Dhodia, Dubia, Naikda, Siddi,Varli. |
| Gujarat | Barda, Bamcha, Bhil, Charan, Dhodia, Gamta Paradhi , Patelia. |
| Himachal Pradesh | Gaddis, Gujjars, Khas, Lamba Lahaulas, Pangwala, Swangla. Jammu and Kashmir : Bakarwal, Balti, Beda, Gaddi, Garra, Mon, Purigpa, Sippi. |
| Jharkhand | Birhors, Bhumij, Gonds, Kharia, Mundas, Santhals, Savar. |
| Karnataka | Adiyan, Barda, Gond, Bhil, Iruliga, Koraga, Patelia, Yerava. |
| Kerala | Adiyan, Arandan, Eravallan, Kurumbas, Malai arayan, Moplahs, Uralis. |
| Madhya Pradesh | Baigas, Bhils, Bharia, Birhors, Gonds ,Katkari, kharia, Khond, Kol, Murias. |
| Maharashtra | Bhaina, Bhunjia, Dhodia, Katkari, Khond, Rathawa, Warlis. |
| Manipur | Aimol, Angami, Chiru, Kuki, Maram, Monsang, Paite, Purum, Thadou. |
| Meghalaya | Chakma, Garos, Hajong, Jaintias Khasis, Lakher, Pawai, Raba. |
| Mizoram | Chakma, Dimasa, Khasi, Kuki, Lakher, Pawai, Raba, Synteng. |
| Nagaland | Angami, Garo, Kachari, Kuki, Mikir, Nagas, Serna. |
| Odisha | Gadaba, Ghara, Kharia, Khond, Matya, Oraons, Rajuar, Santhals. |
| Rajasthan | Bhils, Damaria, Dhanka, Meenas(Minas), Patelia, Sahariya. |
| Sikkim | Bhutia, Khas, Lepchas. |
| Tamil Nadu | Adiyan, Aranadan, Eravallan, Irular, Kadar, Kanikar, Kotas, Todas. |
| Telangana | Chenchus. |
| Tripura | Bhil, Bhutia, Chaimal, Chakma, Haiam, Khasia, Lushai, Mizel, Namte. |
| Uttarakhand | Bhotias, Buksa, Jannsari, Khas, Raji, Tharu. |
| Uttar Pradesh | Bhotia, Buksa, Jaunsari, Kol, Raji, Tharu. |
| West Bengal | Asur, Khond, Hajong, Ho, Parhaiya, Rabha, Santhals, Savar. |
| Andaman and Nicobar | Oraons, Onges, Sentinelese Shompens. |
| Little Andaman | Jarawa |
| North-East | Abhors, Chang, Galaong, Singpho, Wancho. |
Important Tribes in India and their details
| Abhor | These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. |
| Abujmaria | Known variously as Abudjamadis, Abujmariya and Hill Maria, these tribes are found in the geographically inaccessible areas of Abujhmar Mountains and Kutrumar Hills in the Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh. They speak a Dravidian language called Abujmaria. The Hill Maria tribes are considered as a subgroup of the Gonds, who are historically the most important group of original Indian tribes. |
| Adivasika | These are forest dwellers found mainly in Northern Kerala, near Calicut. |
| Adivasi Girasia | These tribes inhabit the Banaskantha and Sabarkantha districts of Gujarat and are believed to be the descendants of the Rajputs who married Bhil women. The name “Girasia” refers to the Rajput and other landholders living in the Gujarat and Rajasthan regions. Their language, also known as Adivasi Girasia, is an Indo-Aryan language belonging to the Bhil subgroup . |
| Adiyan | Also known as Eravas, these people are found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. |
| Ahirs | These people are the traditional dairymen caste of Uttar Pradesh. |
| Alars | Also known as Chathans or Chatans, these tribes are found in the Kerala-Palghat region. They speak Alar and Malayalam. |
| Amindivi | These tribes are found in Lakshadweep. |
| Amri Karib | Known by different names like Mikir, Manchati, Mikiri, Karbi, these tribes are found in the Mikir and Rengma Hills of Assam. They speak Amri, a dialect of Mikir. |
| Angami | These tribes are found in Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. |
| Apatani | These tribes, also described as Apa, are found south of the Tibetan border in the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Their language is also known as Apatani. These tribes are renowned for their cultivation, especially the Terraced rice fields, which are located along the sides of the valleys. |
| Arnatas | Also known as Aranadan and Eranadans, these tribes are found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. They speak Aranatan and Malayalam. |
| Asurs | These tribes are found in Bihar and West Bengal. |
| Awadhi | Known by different names like Abadi, Abohi, Ambodhi, Baiswari, Kojali and Kosali, these people are found in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and parts of Uttar Pradesh. They speak in Awadhi, which is a dialect of Hindi. |
| Badaga | Also known as Badag, Badagu, Badugu and Vadagu, these tribes are found in the Nilgiri and Kunda Hills of Tamil Nadu. Their language is also called Badaga. The name “Badaga”, meaning “northerner,” was given to this group during the Middle Ages when they migrated from the Mysore plains to the Nilgiri Hills in southern Tamil Nadu. |
| Bagri | These tribes are found mainly in western India, in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh. They are an Indo-Aryan people, and their language is also called Bagri. |
| Bakarwals | These are the nomadic tribes of Kashmir |
| Baiga | Known by names like Baigai, Bega and Bhumia, these people are found in Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. Their language is also known as Baiga. |
| Banchharas | These tribes are found in Madhya Pradesh. |
| Bangni | The Bangni (also known as the Dafla or the Nishi) inhabit the hills of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Their native language, Nisi, belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family. |
| Banjaras | Known by different names in different places like Lamani, Lambadi, Bangala, Banjori, Banjuri, Gohar Herkeri, Goola, Gurmarti, Kora, Labhani Muka, Lambara, Lavani, Lemadi, Lumadale, Sugali, Tanda, Vanjari, Waji, Gormati and Singali, these tribes are mainly concentrated in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha and West Bengal. Their common language is Lamani. |
| Barda | These tribes are found in Gujarat. |
| Bavacha | These tribes are found in Gujarat. |
| Barel | The Barels are considered to be the sub-group of Bhils. They speak Barel language. |
| Bathudi | The Bathudis live primarily in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Kendujhargarh and Balasore in the state of Odisha. Most Bathudis are bilingual, speaking their native language, Bathudi and Oriya. |
| Bauria | The Baurias are also considered as a sub-group of Bhils. Their language is also known as Bauria. |
| Beda | These tribes are found in Ladakh |
| Bedia | These tribes are found in Madhya Pradesh |
| Bettakurubas | These tribes are found in Karnataka |
| Bhadrawahi | These tribes are located predominantly in Jammu and Kashmir |
| Bhils | The Bhils are considered as the third largest and most widely distributed tribal groups in India. The name “Bhil” was probably derived from the word villu or billu, which in most Dravidian languages is the word for “bow.” The bow has long been a characteristic weapon of the Bhil because the tribesmen always carry their bows and arrows with them. They speak Bhili, which is an Indo-Aryan language. The Bhils are known to have fought against the Mughals, Marathas and the British. |
| Bhim | These are the tribes found mainly in the eastern state of Tripura. |
| Bhinjwari | The Binjhwaris or the Binjhals, live in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal. Although their native language is Binjhwari, many of these people also speak Chhattisgarhi. |
| Bhotia | Known by names like Lahuli, Tinan, Lahauli, Rangloi and Gondla, these tribes are found in Himalayan Mountain ranges of Himachal Pradesh. They speak in Lahuli and Tinan. |
| Bhutia | These are Buddhists tribes found in Assam, along the border with Tibet and in Nepal. They are also known by the names Lhasa, Dalai, Pohbetian and Tebilian. They speak Tibetan. |
| Birhor | These tribes are found in the Hazaribagh, Singbhum and Ranchi districts of Bihar and parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal. |
| Bison Horn Maria | These are a small tribal group located mainly in Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra and also in parts of Madhya Pradesh. The designation “Bison Horn Maria” is derived from a distinctive headdress worn at marriage dances and adorned with the horns of now extinct wild bison. Many scholars believe that the Bison Horn Maria is part of the Gond tribe, while others consider them to be an earlier indigenous tribe assimilated by the Gonds. |
| Bombas | These are the Nomads inhabiting the rugged hills of Kashmir |
| Boro (Bodo) | These tribes are found in Assam. |
| Braj Bhakha | These tribes are located mainly in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Their language, Braj Bhasha, is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family. |
| Bunde Soligas | These tribes are found in Karnataka. |
| Chakmas | Also known as Takam, these tribes are found in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, West Bengal, and parts of Bangladesh. They speak the Chakma language. |
| Chameali Pahari | The Chameali Pahari tribes are primarily located in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. |
| Changs | These tribes are found in the Tuensang District of Nagaland. |
| Chang-Pas | These are the tribes found in the northern upland valleys of the Indus River in Jammu & Kashmir. They j speak in the Tibetan dialect. |
| Charan | These tribes are found in Gujarat. |
| Chekhasang | Chekhasang and Pouchry Tribes are found in the Phek District of Nagaland. Chakhesang culture and customs are quite different from the other Naga tribes. There are pieces of evidence of the existence of headhunting among the villagers in the ancient days. |
| Chenchus | Known by names like Bharmauri Bhadi, Pahari Bharmauri, Panchi Brahmauri Rajput, Gaddyal and Gadi, these tribes are found in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Their language is also known as Gaddi. |
| Cheros | These tribes, which claim to be the descendants of the Rajputs, are found in Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and are primarily concentrated in Palamau, Shahabad, Champaran, and other surrounding districts. The Chero speak a language that is also called Chero. |
| Chettier | Chettier is the Hindu fishermen caste of Tamil Nadu. |
| Chola Naickans | Also known as Chola Naikar, these tribes are found mainly in the Nilambur jungle in Kerala. They speak Canarese, a dialect of Kannada. |
| Dafla | These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh. |
| Damarias | These tribes are found in Rajasthan. |
| Deori | These tribes live along the Brahmaputra River and are primarily located in the states of Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. They speak a Tibeto-Burman language that is also called Deori. The Deori are one of the four divisions of the Chutiya people group and are also related to the Eastern Bodo-Garo. |
| Dhodia | The Dhodia are located in the extreme southeastern districts of Gujarat, in the hilly regions south of the Tapi River and in Dadra & Nager Haveli. The Dhodia are the highest ranking tribe and the third largest tribal group in Gujarat. They speak Dhodia, a Bhil language. |
| Dhurwa | These tribes are forest dwellers found mainly in the Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh and Koraput district of Odisha. They are considered as a sub-group of the Gond, the largest tribal group in India. They speak Parji in three dialects. |
| Dimasa | These are Proto-Austroloid tribes found in Meghalaya and Mizoram. |
| Dog-Pa | Also known as Srin, Shrin and Brog-Pa, these tribes are found in Jammu and Kashmir. Their language is known as Shrin. |
| Dogris | These tribes are known by various names like Dogri-Kangri, Dhogaryali, Dogari, Dogri Jammu, Dogri Pahari, Tokkaru and Dogri-Kangra. They are mainly concentrated in Jammu and Kashmir between the Ravi and Chenab Rivers. Many Dogris also live in Pakistan. The Dogris are a hardy people, divided into several castes and sects. Their language is known as Dogri-Kangri. |
| Dorli | The Dorli, a sub-group of the Gonds, are concentrated in the Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh. Some also live in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Their language is also called Dorli. |
| Dubla | The Dubla live primarily in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Rajasthan. They speak Dubla, a Bhil language that belongs to the Indo-Aryan linguistic family. The Dubla tribe contains twenty sub-groups, of which the Talavias have the highest social ran. |
| Eravallan | These tribes are found in Kerala. |
| Gaddi | Known by names like Bharmauri Bhadi, Pahari Bharmauri, Panchi Brahmauri Rajput, Gaddyal, and Gadi, these tribes are found in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. Their language is also known as Gaddi. |
| Galong | These tribes, also known as Gallong, Gallo, Galo, and Adi-Galo, live in Assam, along the Tibet border area. Their language is also known as Galong. |
| Gamit | These tribes are found in Karnataka. |
| Gamti | This is one of the Bhil tribes that live mainly in the Surat and Broach districts of Gujarat, India. Among the Bhil, the word gamta means “headman,” possibly giving the Gamti a feeling of superiority over other Bhil tribes. They speak Gamti, which is one of the Bhil languages. |
| Garhwali | The Garhwali or the Central Pahari are a hardworking and often isolated people who are primarily located in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. |
| Garos | The Garos or Achiks belong to the Bodo family of the Tibeto-Burman race and are found in Meghalaya. They are said to have migrated from Tibet. |
| Gonds | The Gonds comprise the largest tribal group in India. Historically, the Gonds were the most important group of the original Indian tribes. In the 1500’s, several Gond dynasties were established and their rajas or kings ruled like Hindu princes. The Gonds were conquered by the Muslim armies in 1592 but their tribes were not disturbed by the changes in administration. |
| Gongte | These tribes are found in Manipur. |
| Gosains | These tribes are found in Madhya Pradesh. |
| Gotte | These tribes, also known as Podia Koya, are found in the jungles of Madhya Pradesh. Their language is Podia Koya, which is a dialect of Koya. |
| Gracias | These tribes, known by different names like Garasia, Rajput Girasia, Dungri Grasia andDhungri Bhili are found in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Their language is known as Garasia. |
| Halam | Halam or Malsum tribes are found in Tripura. They originally hailed from one of the branches of Kukis |
| Hanjis | These tribes are found along the Jhelum River in the Kashmir valley. |
| Harauti | The Harautis are located mainly in the Kota area of Rajasthan and also in parts of Madhya Pradesh. |
| Hilpulayan | These tribes are found in Kerala. |
| Hmar | These tribes are found in Mizoram. |
| Ho | The word “ho” means man. These tribes, which are also known as Lanka Kol and Bihar Ho, are found mainly in the Singbhum district of Bihar and theMayurbhanj district of Odisha, besides parts of West Bengal, Bangladesh and Nepal. Their language is also called Ho. These are classified as Caucasian. |
| Irula | In the Tamil, the name Irula means “people of darkness.” These tribes are known by different names like Eravallan, Erukala, Irava, Irular, Irular Mozhi, Iruliga, Iruligar, Korava, Yerukula and Kad Chensu. They are mainly concentrated in Chingleput at the Nilgiri foothills in Tamil Nadu. They are also found in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Their language, Irula, is related to Tamil and Kannada. |
| Jarawa | These tribes are found on Rutland Island and South Andaman Island. They speak the Jarawa language. Confluence of The Present with the Past. |
| Jatapu | The Jatapu are mainly concentrated in the Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh. Some communities are also found in the states of Tamil Nadu and Odisha. Their original language is called Jatapu but most of the Jatapu speakers have adopted Telugu as their mother tongue. |
| Juangs | These tribes are found in the Banspal taluk of the Keonjhar district of Odisha. |
| Jaunsaris | These tribes are found in Uttar Pradesh. |
| Kaikadi | The Kaikadis are a small tribal group located mainly in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Their language (also called Kaikadi) is a member of the Dravidian language family. |
| Kamar | These are the scheduled tribes found primarily in the Raipur and Rewa districts of Madhya Pradesh.Their native language is also called Kamar. |
| Karbi | These tribes are found in Assam. |
| Kashtwari | They are located mainly in Jammu and Kashmir. Their language is known as Kishtwari. |
| Katakari | They are located mainly in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Their language is also known as Katkari. |
| Kathodia | These tribes are found in Dadra & Nager Haveli. |
| Kattunaickans | These tribes are found in Kerala. |
| Kawar | The Kawars are primarily located in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra. Their language, Kawari, is an Indo-Aryan language that is believed to be a dialect of Halbi. |
| Khambas | These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh. |
| Khamtis | Known by various names like Kham-Tai, Hkamti, Khampti, Khamti Shan, Khantis and Tai Kam Ti, these tribes are found in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Myanmar. Their language is described as Khamti. |
| Khandeshi | They are located mainly in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Their language is also known as Khandesi. |
| Khasis | These tribes are found in the Khasi-Jaintia hills in Meghalaya. |
| Khiamungans | These tribes are found in the Tuensang District of Nagaland. |
| Khirwar | The Khirwar, a sub-group of the Gonds, live in the Sarguja district at the borders of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Some speak the local Hindi dialect in addition to their own language, Khirwari. |
| Khorkhas | These tribes are found in Jammu and Kashmir. |
| Kipgen | These tribes are found in Manipur. |
| Kiutze | These tribes are located mostly near the Myanmar-Tibet border. Their language is known as Rawang. |
| Koch | These tribes live primarily in the states of Assam and Tripura. |
| Kodagu | The Kodagu (also known as the Coorg) live in the Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka. The word kodagu means “situated to the west,” and their district, Coorg, stands in the ridges of the Western Ghat Mountains. They speak a Dravidian language that is also called Kodagu. |
| Kadamukudy | These tribes are found in Kadamukudy Island, near Kerala. |
| Kodavas | The Kodavas are the people living in the Kodagu region of Karnataka, which lies in the Western Ghats. |
| Kokni | Also known as Kukna, Kanara and Kokna, these tribes are found in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and in the Dang district of Gujarat. Their language is known as Kukna. |
| Kolam | Known by the names like Kolamboli, Kulme and Kolmi, these tribes are found mainly inhabit the hills and plains of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. They also live in the Yavatmal, Wardha and Nanded districts of Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh. They speak a Dravidian language called Kolami but can also speak Marathi, Telugu or Gondi. Around the twelfth century, the Kolam served as priests for the Gonds, representing some of their important gods. |
| Koli | These tribes are found in Dadra & Nager Haveli. |
| Konyaks | These tribes are found in the Mon district of Nagaland |
| Koras | These tribes are found in Bihar. |
| Korku | Known variously as Bondeya, Bopchi, Korki, Kurku and Kuri, these tribes are found in the southern Betul, Hoshangabad and East Nimar districts of southern Madhya Pradesh and Amravati, Buldana and Akola districts of northern Maharashtra. Their language is also known as Korku. |
| Korwa | The Korwas are one of the scheduled tribes of Central India. They live in the hills, valleys, and forests of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. They speak a Munda language, also called Korwa, which belongs to the Austro-Asiatic language family. There are two very distinct tribes among the Korwas: the Diharia (or Kisan), who are farmers, and the Paharia (or Benwaria), who live in the hills. These two tribes do not inter-marry. |
| Kota | Kota or Kotta are the tribes found in the Nilgiri Hills of Kotagiri, in Tamil Nadu. Their language is also known as Kota. |
| Kotwali | These tribes are found in Gujarat. |
| Koya | The Koyas live in the forests, plains, and valleys on both sides of the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. Many also live in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. |
| Kui | Known by various names like Kuy, Kodi, Khond, Khondi, Khondo, Kanda, Kodulu and Kuinga, these tribes are found in the Udayagiri area of Odisha, and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. They are a subgroup of a Dravidian tribe known as the Kqnd, which literally means “mountaineers.” They speak Kui, a Dravidian language. |
| Kuki | These tribes are found in the Kohima district of Nagaland and parts of Manipur and Assam. |
| Kulu Pahari | Known by names like Kauli, Kulu Boli, Kulu Pahari, Kulu Pahari, Kullui Pahar, Pahari Kullu, Phari Kulu, Kulvi, Kullui and Kulwali, these tribes are found primarily in Himachal Pradesh. They speak Kului and Hindi. |
| Kumaoni | These tribes are also known as Kumauni, Kumau, Kumawani, Kumgoni, Kumman and Kunayaoni and are found in Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Nagaland. |
| Kurichiya | These tribes are found in the forest areas near Calicut, Tellichery and Waynad in Kerala where they were the earliest known inhabitants. They are also found in parts of Tamil Nadu. |
| Kurumba | These tribes are mainly concentrated in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu and also found in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. They are also known as Kuruba, Kurumban Kurumvari and Southern Kanares. The Kuruba are considered closely related to the Pallavas of the eighth century. As the Pallava rule declined, the Kuruba’s forefathers scattered over a wide area of southern India and became culturally distinct. They speak a Dravidian language that is called Kurumba or Southern Kannada. |
| Labans | Described variously as Banajaras, Lambadi, Gola, Wanji and Singali, these tribes are found in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha and West Bengal. They speak a language called Lamani. |
| Labbai | These people are found in Tamil Nadu and claim to be the descendants of Arab traders. |
| Lahauli | These tribes are found in Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh. |
| Lalung | The Lalung tribe lives in the states of Assam and Meghalaya. |
| Lambada | These tribes are known by various names like Lambadi, Lavani, Lemadi, Lumadale, Banjara, Bangala, Banjori, Banjuri, Gohar- Herkeri, Goola, Gurmarti, Kora, Gormati, Singali, Sugalis, Tanda, Vanjara and Wanji. The Lambadas originated in Rajasthan but are now concentrated in Andhra Pradesh. These are also found in Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha and West Bengal. They speak Lamani and Telugu. |
| Lepcha | Known by different names like Rong, Rongke, Rongpa and Nunpa, the people of this tribe are found in Sikkim, Kalimpong district of West Bengal, Nepal and Bhutan. Their language is known as Lepcha. |
| Lhoba | These tribes, which are found mostly in Arunachal Pradesh, are part of the Lhoba tribe of China. Their language, Lhoba, is part of the Sino-Tibetan language family. |
| Lohar | These tribes are found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. They are known by various names such as Gade Lohar, Gaduliya Lohar, Lohpitta Rajput Lohar, Bagri Lohar and Bhubaliya Lohar. Their language is known as Gade Lohar. |
| Lothas | Lothas are the tribes found in the Wokha district of Nagaland. They are known for their colourful dances and songs particularly Shanta, Tokhu Emong and Pikhuchak. |
| Lushi | The Lushi (Shenlung) tribes are found in Mizoram and claim Jewish ancestry. |
| Madiga | These people belong to Andhra Pradesh and are known by different names like Gentoo, Tailangi, Telangire, Telgi, Tengu, Terangi and Tolangan. |
| Malakaras | The word “Malakkara” means “mighty people of the forests”. These tribes, which are also known as Mala Muthas, are found in Kerala. They speak Malamutha and Malayalam. |
| Malappanackers | These are the tribes found in Kerala. They speak Malappanackan and Malayalam. |
| Malmis | These tribes are found in Lakshadweep. |
| Malto | Known as Malti, Maltu, Malpaharia and Rajmahalia, these tribes are found in Rajmahal hills in Northeast Bihar and West Bengal. Their language is also called Malto. |
| Manipuri Jews | This community sees itself as descendants of the Menashe Tribe (which is considered as one of the 10 lost tribes of Jews). These people have Chinese appearance and they claim that after their forefathers were exiled and enslaved by the Assyrians they somehow escaped from slavery and moved initially to China and later to India. Known as the “Children of Menmasseh,” they live on the border of India and Burma, and a majority of them are believed to be Messianic Jews (believers in Jesus Christ — Yeshua). Their number is estimated to be about 1.2 to 1.5 million. Israelis refer to this people by the name Shinlung or Lushi. |
| Manjhi | These tribes live mainly in the Gumla district of Bihar and parts of West Bengal and Assam. Their primary language is Manjhi, but they also speak Sadri and Bihari. |
| Mappilla (Moplas) | These are the Muslim tribes found in Kerala’s northern coastal towns and the Lakshadweep Islands off the Malabar Coast. The Laccadive Mappilla are unique in that they have maintained a matrilineal society (line of descent is traced through the women) in spite of their Islamic beliefs. |
| Maria | The Maria or Muria are a sub-group of Gonds and live in the forests and hills of central India. They live along the Indrawati River, which flows through the Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh. They are divided into two groups: the Maria and the Bison Horn Maria. The two groups have very little contact with each other, except during certain annual festivals. |
| Mauris | These tribes are found in Jammu and Kashmir. |
| Mavchi | The Mavchis are a sub-group of Bhils. Their language is also called Mavchi or Mawchi. |
| Mech | The Mech are mainly found in the forests and hills of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Coochbehar districts of West Bengal and also parts of Assam. They are related to the Bodo and Kachari tribes and speak Bodo, a branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. |
| Meithei | These tribes are also known as Mitei, Manipuris, Kathe, Kathi and Ponna, and are found in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, besides Bangladesh and Myanmar. These tribes are of Mongol origin and speak a Tibeto-Burman language called Meithei. These tribes are found in Lakshadweep. |
| Melacheris | These tribes are found in Lakshadweep. |
| Meos | These are the rural tribes concentrated in the districts of Alwar and Bharatpur in Rajasthan and in the Gurgaon district in Haryana. They speak in Marwari (Rajasthani). |
| Mikir | These tribes, which are also known by the names Mikiri, Manchati and Karbi, are found in the Mikir and Rengma Hills of Assam. Their language is called Mikir. |
| Mina | These tribes are found in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. |
| Minicoy | These tribes are found in the Minicoy islands of Lakshadweep. |
| Mishing | These tribes are found in the Majuli Island of Arunachal Pradesh. They are also known as Miri. They speak Miri, a dialect of Adi. |
| Mishmi | These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. |
| Mog | These are the Buddhist tribes found in Tripura, who claim to have originated from Arakan. |
| Mon | These tribes are found in the Ladakh region. |
| Monpa | Known by different names like Moinba, Monba, Mompa, Momba, Menpa and Memba, these tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Tibet. They speak a language called Moinba. |
| Mru | The Mrus are primarily located in the region where the borders of India, Bangladesh and Myanmar intersect. They are concentrated in the Chittagong Hills in Bangladesh, Arakan Yoma district of Myanmar and in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. The native language of these tribes is also called Mru. |
| Mundas | These tribes are also known by different names like Mundari, Mandari, Munari, Horo, Mondari and Colh. These are known as Adivasis in Odisha. They are found mainly in southern and western parts of the Ranchi district of Jharkhand and also in the states of Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tripura and West Bengal and in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, besides Nepal and Bangladesh. Their language is called Mundari. Mundas are the most ancient among the tribes of Jharkhand. |
| Nahari | They are located mainly in the Raipur, Bilaspur, and Sambalpur districts of Madhya Pradesh, as well as parts of Odisha. |
| Naikda | These tribes are found in Dadra & Nager Haveli and Daman & Diu. |
| Neethakani | These tribes are found mainly in the Neelwai vilage of Andhra Pradesh. |
| Nicobarese | These are the people of Mongoloid stock found on the Car Nicobar Island. These tribes are also known as Car and Pu. |
| Nihal | These tribes are found in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and are also known as Nihali, Nahal, Nahali and Kalto. |
| Nimadi | These tribes are located mainly in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. |
| Nishi | These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh. |
| Nocte | These are the tribes found in Nagaland and are known by other names like Borduria, Jaipuria, Paniduria Mohongia and Namsangia. |
| Noniya Caste | The Noniyas are the traditional earth-workers of Uttar Pradesh. |
| Ojhas | These tribes are found in Madhya Pradesh. |
| Onges | These tribes are found on the Southern Andaman Islands, Little Andaman Island and the three small islands to the northeast. They are also known as Jarawas and speak the Jarawa language. |
| Oraon (Kurukh) | These tribes are found in Jharkhand and Odisha. |
| Oriya | These tribes are found mainly in Odisha and parts of Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and Andhra Pradesh. They are also known as Odri, Odrum, Ouya, Odisha, Uriya, Utkali, Vadiy and Yudhi. |
| Padhar | These tribes are found in Gujarat. |
| Paharis | These tribes are found along the foothills of the Himalayas, mainly in Himachal Pradesh. |
| Pangwalis | These tribes are found in Himachal Pradesh. |
| Panika | These tribes live primarily in the Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh and are divided into two broad groups: the Kabirpanthi and the Sakta. |
| Paniyan | These tribes are found in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and are also known as Pania and Panyah. |
| Parhiya | These are mainly found on the hilltop forests of Bihar. |
| Pardhi | These tribes are known by different names as Bahelia, Chita Pardhi, Lango Pardhi, Paidia, Paradi, Paria, Phans Pardhi, Takankar and Takia. These tribes are found in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Their language is also described as Pardhi. |
| Pauri Bhuiya | These tribes, who are also known Bhuiya, Bhuinhar, Bhuinya, Bhuiyali, Bhumia, Bhungiyas and Bhuyan Oriya, are located in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. |
| Pawi | These tribes are found in Mizoram. |
| Phoms | These tribes are found in the Tuensang district of Nagaland. |
| Poouch | These tribes are found in Jammu & Kashmir. They speak Poochi, Urdu and Dogri languages. |
| Pramalai Kallar | These tribes are found in Tamil Nadu. |
| Porja | The Porja (or Konda-Dora) tribes are located in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, and Odisha. They speak a Dravidian language called Konda-Dora, (konda meaning “hill” and dora meaning “leader”). This name was given to them because of their descent from the great Kondh tribe. The Porja are well established as two groups: the Pedda Kondalu and Chinna Kondalu. The Pedda Kondalu have retained most aspects of their traditional culture, however, the Chinna Kondalu group has been heavily influenced by the Telugu. |
| Purig-Pa | These are people of Tibetan origin found in the Kargil district of Jammu & Kashmir. The people prefer to be culturally and linguistically identified with Tibet, although religiously with Islam. |
| Rabari | These are semi-nomadic people of Rajasthan. |
| Rabha | These tribes are found in Assam. |
| Raji | These tribes are found in Uttar Pradesh. Their language is also known as Raji. |
| Ralte | These tribes are found in Mizoram. |
| Reddy | These people are found mainly in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. They are also known by other names like Mukha-Rora, Deddi-Dora and Conta-Reddi. |
| Rengma | These tribes are found in Tseminyu in the Kohima district of Nagaland. The Rengmas celebrate the popular festival of Ngada every year in November. |
| Riang | The Riangs are primarily located in the Deotamura ranges of eastern and central Tripura. Some tribes also live in Assam. These are considered as the second largest tribe of Tripura and the first inhabitants there. They speak a Baric language that is also called Riang. |
| Saharia | The Saharia or Sor live primarily in the state of Madhya Pradesh. They are also found in the hills of the Ganjam district of southern Odisha, as well as in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam. They speak a Munda language that belongs to the Austro-Asiatic language family. |
| Sangtams | These tribes are found in the Tuensang District of Nagaland. |
| Santhals | These tribes are found in Bihar, Odisha, Tripura, West Bengal and Assam, besides Bangladesh and Nepal. They are also known by other names like Hor, Har, Satar, Santhali, Sandal, Sangtal, Sentali, Samtali and Santhial. They speak Santhali. They are considered as the largest tribe in India. The basis of Santhal religion is the belief that they are totally surrounded by bongas or spirits and frequently are visited by deceased ancestors. |
| Saurashtras | Saurashtrians are mostly silk weavers and silk thread merchants, originated in the Saurashtra region (present day Gujarat, and parts of Maharashtra) in Northern India and later settled in Madurai and spread to Trichy, Salem, Kumbakonam and other surrounding areas of Tamil Nadu few centuries ago. j Their native language, also known as Sourashtra, is a pre-Gujarati language, which shows many archaic features of Gujarati and at the same time shows influence of other Aryan languages like Konkani and Marathi and of Dravidian Telugu and Tamil. |
| Sema | Sernas are considered to be the martial tribe among the Nagas. These tribes are concentrated in the Zunheboto district of Nagaland. Tuluni is one of the most important festivals observed by the Serna tribe in the second week of July every year. |
| Sentenelese | These are the tribes found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. |
| Sherdukpen | These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh. |
| Sherpa | The Sherpa are a Himalayan people living primarily in eastern Nepal. A few of them, however, live in the mountains of the bordering Indian state of Sikkim and in the larger hill towns of the state of West Bengal. The Sherpa language is a dialect of Tibetan, thus it is a part of the Tibeto-Burman language family. |
| Shin | These people are found in the Dras Valley and Gurais area in Kishenganga Valley in northern Kashmir. They speak in an Indo-Aryan language called Shina. |
| Shompens (Shorn Peng) | These tribes live on the Great Nicobar Island. Their language is also described as Shorn Peng. |
| Siddis | These tribes are found in Goa. |
| Singpho | These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh. |
| Solung | These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh. |
| Sondwari | These are the tribes found mainly in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. |
| Sourastras | Described by various names such as Saurashtra, Saurashtri and Patnuli, these tribes are found in parts of Tamil Nadu. Their spoken language is described as Saurashtra. |
| Subernabaniks | They represent the rich merchant classes of West Bengal. The Subernabanik women are famous for their beauty. According to legends, the Subernabaniks originated in the princely kingdom of Oudh, near Bengal, during the reign of King Adisura about 1000 CE. |
| Tadvi Bhil | They live in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan. Their language, known as Dhanka, belongs to the Bhil subgroup of the Indo-Aryan linguistic family. The name Tadvi literally means “one who taps the palm tree” and is used to refer to all forest tribes. |
| Tagin | This tribe is found in Assam. They speak a language, which is also called Tagin. Some also speak Dafla or Nisi as a trade language. |
| Tangsa | These are the tribes found in Nagaland and in Myanmar. They are known by various names like Rangpan, Tasey and Chem Chang. Their language is Naga and Tangsa. |
| Tharu | These tribes are found in the northwest of Bihar and speak Tharu, a dialect of Bhojpuri. |
| Toda | According to some researchers, this tribe has links with the Sumerian people of the ancient Mesopotamian civilization. Their language is also known as Toda. |
| Totos | These tribes are found in West Bengal. |
| Tripuris (Tipera) | These tribes are primarily concentrated in the plains of Tripura and are indigenous to this area. They are the largest tribe in the state, and their land once extended over much of Bengal, Assam and northern Myanmar. |
| Tulu | These are fair-skinned people who are found mainly in Mangalore and South Kannara districts of Karnataka. They speak a Dravidian language, also called Tulu, which lacks a script. |
| Ullada | These tribes are found in Kerala. |
| Urali | These tribes are found in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. These are also known by the names Oorazhi and Urli and speak the Urali language. |
| Usipi | The Usipis are located predominantly in Assam and Tripura. Their language, Usipi (also known as Kok Barok), is part of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The Usipis are commonly characterized as Garo. |
| Varli | These tribes are found in Dadra & Nager Haveli and Daman & Diu. |
| Wagdi | The Wagdis are considered as a sub-group of Bhils. The Wagdi language, also called Wagdi, belongs to the Bhil branch of the Indo-Aryan language family. |
| Wancho | Known by different names like Naga Wancho, Banpara Naga and Joboka, these tribes are found in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. They speak Naga and Wancho languages. |
| Wars | These tribes primarily inhabit the districts East of Meghalaya. They belong to the Proto-Austroloid MonKhmer race. |
| Wattal | These tribes are found in Jammu & Kashmir. |
| Yanadi | The Yanadi are dark skinned short-stature people found mainly in the Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh. They speak Yanadi, which belongs to the Telugu language family. |
| Yeravas | These tribes are found in Karnataka. |
| Yerukala | The Yerukala live primarily in the Godivari district of Andhra Pradesh and parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They speak Sankara-Yerukala, a Southern Dravidian language that is distinctly related to Tamil. Many of the Yerukala also speak Telugu. These tribes are also known by the names Yarukula, Yerukla, Erukala and Koraya. |
| Yimchungers | These tribes are found in the Tuensang District of Nagaland. |
| Zakhring | These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh. |
| Zans karis | These are the Buddhist tribes, ethnically similar to Tibetans, found in the Zanskar Mountains in the Leh-Ladakh and Kargil-Purik areas of Jammu and Kashmir. They speak Zanskari, a language related to Tibetan. |
