Tribes of Rajasthan constitute 12 percent of the total population. The main tribal communities of Rajasthan are Bhil tribe and Meena tribe. The major concentration of these tribes of Rajasthan is found mainly in the foothill of Vindhya, Aravalli mountain ranges. The tribes of Rajasthan are very different from each other and represent a very distinct heritage from the rest of the civilized population. In order to maintain their livelihood, these tribes of Rajasthan carry on cultivation, while there are quite a number of tribes of Rajasthan state who have developed acumen for business and commercial activities.
Origin of Tribes of Rajasthan
The early history of the tribes of Rajasthan depicts that during the invasions by Hunas, Aryans, Sakas and Kushana; the tribal communities survived the attacks and maintained their cultural and traditional heritage.
Different Tribes of Rajasthan
Among the scheduled tribes of Rajasthan, Bhil tribe occupies the major position. Another scheduled tribe of this state which has got importance is Gadia Lohar Tribe. At the core of the state of Rajasthan, the Garasia tribes live with its treasure of cultural tradition as depicted in its superb language, food habits and gorgeous clothes.
The various tribes in Rajasthan are as follows:
Bhil Tribes of Rajasthan: Bhils are the bow men of Rajasthan. The Bhils form an important group in the southern part of the state around Dungapur, Udaipur and Chittorgarh. Famous epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata depicted that Bhils were famous for their skills in arching.
Meena Tribes of Rajasthan: Meenas are the militant defenders of Rajasthan. They are Rajasthan"s second largest and most widely spread tribal group. They are known to be the inhabitants of Indus Valley Civilization. Meenas was the tribe which duly performed child marriages for many years.
Sahariya Tribes of Rajasthan: The Sahariyas are jungle dwellers of Rajasthan. The Sahariyas are regarded as the most backward tribe in Rajasthan. They serve their living as shifting cultivators and by hunting and fishing. They are thought to be of Bhil origin.
Garasia Tribes of Rajasthan: Garasias are the fallen Rajputs of Rajasthan. These tribals have an interesting custom of marriage through elopement, which usually takes place at the annual Gaur fair held during the full moon of March.
Gadia Lohar Tribes of Rajasthan: Lohar Tribes are the nomadic blacksmiths of Rajasthan. The legend state that the tribe was originally Rajputs of Mewar who had sworn to go away from the city and come back only after the victory of Maharana Pratap, their then king.
Bishnoi Tribes of Rajasthan: The Bishnoi community of Rajasthan has been identified as conservators. The Bishnois can be mostly seen in the western Rajasthan, especially in the Jodhpur and Bikaner areas. They also hold a belief that the tribe people become a deer in their reincarnation.
Some other tribal communities or "Adivasis" that are found in different parts of Rajasthan are Kathodi, Sansi, Kanjar, Meghval and Rabari Tribe.
