World indigenous day, International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, World Tribal Day, Most Significant Facts

World indigenous day: International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples observed on August 9 aims to promote and protect the rights of indigenous populations.

World indigenous day

International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples also known as World Tribal Day is observed every year on August 9 to promote and protect the rights of indigenous populations around the world. The day attempts to honour their distinctive cultures, languages, customs, and social contributions. This occasion offers a chance to spread awareness of the difficulties and problems that indigenous populations confront, such as land rights, cultural preservation, prejudice, marginalization, and social and economic inequities. Today is a great time to work to defend the fundamental rights of the global tribal community.

International Day of World Indigenous Peoples

History and Significance

The International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples is to be marked annually on August 9, according to a decision made by the UN General Assembly in December 1994. The day was picked in honour of the 1982 Geneva-based Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights inaugural meeting, which served as the inspiration for the date.

The International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples holds immense significance as it serves to spotlight the rich cultural diversity, heritage, and contributions of indigenous communities globally. The day is necessary since indigenous peoples are frequently among the most underprivileged racial and ethnic groupings in society. The UN estimates that although indigenous people make up less than 5% of the global population, they are responsible for 15% of the world’s poorest people.

They represent 5,000 distinct civilizations and speak the vast majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages. By recognizing their unique identities and promoting their rights, the day highlights the need for collaboration among governments, organizations, and societies to ensure the well-being, dignity, and inclusion of indigenous peoples while celebrating their invaluable role in the world’s shared heritage.

In order to raise awareness of the needs of these population groups, every 9 August commemorates the International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples. This date, adopted in December 1994 by UN General Assembly resolution 49/214, marks the date ofthe first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights held in Geneva in 1982.

Indigenous Peoples around the world

Indigenous Peoples live in all regions of the world and own, occupy or use some 22% of global land area. Numbering at least 370-500 million, Indigenous Peoples represent the greater part of the world’s cultural diversity. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures. Despite their cultural differences, Indigenous Peoples from around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples. Many Indigenous Peoples continue to be confronted with marginalization, extreme poverty and other human rights violations.

Also referred to as World Indigenous Day or International Day of World’s Indigenous People, this occasion offers a prime opportunity to actively work towards safeguarding the fundamental rights of tribal communities worldwide.

‘Adivasi’ in India

In India, the term ‘Adivasi’ is used to encompass a diverse range of ethnic and tribal communities that are regarded as the original inhabitants of the country. In India, the term ‘Adivasi’ is used as an umbrella term to define a host of ethnic and tribal people that are considered as the aboriginal population of India.

These tribal groups make up approximately 8.6% of India’s overall population, which amounts to around 104 million individuals as per the 2011 census.

Although the most substantial tribal communities are concentrated in central India, they constitute merely about 10% of the total population in that region.

The importance of the World Tribal Day in 2023 or World Indigenous Day or International Day of World’s Indigenous People lies in its ability to highlight the challenges experienced by various tribal communities around the world. These difficulties include issues like discrimination, poverty and restricted accessibility of schooling and medical care services.

This opportunity presents us a chance to celebrate and cherish the bountiful social heritage, customs, dialects, and experiences that tribal people add to the world. It’s expected to develop unity among indigenous networks and to increase awareness within the more extensive people.

There are an estimated 476 million indigenous peoples in the world living across 90 countries. They make up less than 5 per cent of the world’s population, but account for 15 per cent of the poorest. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.

Indigenous peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment.  Indigenous peoples’ conceptualization of health and well-being is generally broader and more holistic, with health frequently viewed as both an individual and a collective right, strongly determined by community, land and the natural environment.  Article 24 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognizes the right of indigenous peoples to their traditional medicines, to maintain their health practices and to access social and health services without discrimination.

Adivasi Divas or World Indigenous Day or International Day of World Indigenous People is a regional public holiday observed every year on August 9. It coincides with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, declared by the United Nations in 1993. ‘Adivasi’ refers to various tribes living in the Indian subcontinent, while ‘Divas’ means ‘day’ in Hindi. Despite several advancements in modern society, indigenous people are often among the poorest ethnic groups. Adivasi Divas seeks to recognize the challenges these people continue to face today, as well as honor their perseverance and struggle for improvement. Around 104 million people (over 9% of India’s population) fall into this category.

India has the second-largest tribal population in the world. As per the Census 2011, the tribal population constitutes about 8.9% of the total population in India.

The state that has the highest tribal population in India is Madhya Pradesh, according to the Census 2011. The list of 10 states comprising the highest tribal population in India is,

• Madhya Pradesh (Highest ST population state in India 2011 census)
• Orissa
• Maharashtra
• Rajasthan
• Chhattisgarh
• Gujarat
• Jharkhand
• Andhra Pradesh
• West Bengal
• Karnataka

Largest Tribes in India Census 2011

The two highest scheduled tribe population in India, namely, Bhil and Gond characterizations, have been illustrated below.

Largest Tribal Population in India

According to Census Report 2011, tribes constitute 8.6% of India’s population or about 104 million tribal individuals. These groups of tribes are the inhabitants of the Khargone, Dhar, Jhabua, and Ratlam communities of Madhya Pradesh.

• The Bhil culture is different and rich.
• The traditional folk dance of the largest tribal group of India is known as Ghoomar, which is a sign of Womanhood.
• The primary food cultivated by the tribal people is onion, chilli, maize, and garlic.
• On special occasions, the biggest tribe in India consume rice and wheat.
• Men traditionally wear dresses known as Angarkha, Gamchha, Dhoti, or Pagri, and women traditionally wear Ghagra Choli and Sari.

Bhil Art:

Bhil, the largest tribe in India, has a tribal art called the Bhil art. The theme that the art represents is the everyday life of the tribal people.

• The brushes used to create Bhil ( The Bhil are one of the largest tribal groups, living in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. The name is derived from the word ‘billu’, which means bow. The Bhil are known to be excellent archers coupled with deep knowledge about their local geography ) art are known as Neem twigs.
• Their paintings are referred to as the Pithora painting.
• Bhil people belonging to the largest tribe in India, use pigments to promote this art made from natural ingredients like flowers and leaves.
• One of the most remarkable features of Bhil art is the dots which protect the whole plain background.
• Dots are duplicated in stunning designs and colours.
• The group of dots are symbols for gods or ancestors.

Gond – Second Largest Tribe in India

Gonds are the highest ST population state in India and are found in Central and South-Central India. Gond tribes can be found in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh.

• Gonds worship village divinities; they don’t have a consistent culture.
• They speak the language prevalent in the area, and the majority speak a dialect named Gondi, an unwritten language.

Largest Tribe in India – Highest ST Population State

Look at various states in India having the largest tribe in India. Check out which is the highest tribal population state in India.

 

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