The Tribal groups in India have distinct cultural patterns. A large chunk of Indians belong to Tribal community - Adivasis, as they are called, they occupy distinct regions, especially in the hilly and forested areas. There are more than 50 tribal groups in India. Most of the tribals belong basically to the Negrito, Australoid and Mongoloid racial stocks.
Scheduled Tribes in India forms the largest proportion of the total population in Lakshadweep. There are no Scheduled Tribes in Delhi, Chandigarh and Puducherry. The tribals of some of the Union Territories are as follows:
Tribals of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is home to 4 Negrito and 2 Mongoloid tribes. Those belonging to the Negrito origin - the Great Andamanese, the Onges, the Jarawas and the Sentinelese - are still at hunting-gathering stage of economy. They are thought to have travelled to the Andaman Islands from Africa up to 60,000 years ago. The Mongoloid origin, Nicobarese, has accepted the challenge of change and have prospered and multiplied. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands remained the abode of the Negritos and the Mongoloids, who occupied the Islands for centuries.
Tribals of Puducherry
Unlike other Indian union territories, the Union Territory of Puducherry does not feature any scheduled tribes among its tribal communities. The tribal communities of the territory remain divided into various categories; these include Irulars, Kattunaickens, Malaikuravars, Yerkulas or the Kurumans.
These tribal people inhabit different villages that fall under different municipal zones in Puducherry. These tribal communities earn their living through occupations like hunting and cultivation.
Tribals of Lakshadweep Island
There are more than a hundred sects of tribal communities who have found a home on the islands of Lakshadweep. Looking at the huge population of these tribal communities in Lakshadweep, the island can well be referred to as a tribal dominating area. A group of scheduled tribes also add to the density of tribal population here. Aminidivi, Koyas, Malmis and Malacheris are the chief tribal communities that populate the islands of Lakshadweep.
Tribals of Dadra & Nagar Haveli
The land of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is home to a number of tribal communities. This Union Territory of the country of India was initially ruled by the small tribal community called Kolis. This territory is regarded as one of the tribal areas in India. The tribals have their distinct culture and sets of rituals that vary from community to community.
Tribals of Daman and Diu
The tribal population in Daman and Diu constitute a significant portion in its administration. They make up a major section in the island"s tourism. This small land is aggregation of population of five tribes namely, Dubla, Dhodia, Varli, Naikda and Siddi.
