14. Hinduization of Tribes
Plos are also known as
advivasis (irsl inhabitants). They were
stay away from tlhe main streanm of Indian
sOciety. They were
marginalized sections and
Outside caste system ot structurC. As a result they were traditionally belonged to
entirely impure.
Tribes consider thensclves
different from the majority Indian society and
religion. Though majority of tribal other forms of
population still maintain its separage existence, its
exclusive beliefs and practices, more than 90
percent of them are oriented towards
and passing through different stages of Hinduism
Hinduization.
More than 95% of tribal population of
Western Imdia, Middle India and Eastern India are
hinduized. 5% accepted Christianity largely in Assam, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, Manipur and
Mizoranm and also a small portion in Kerala, Andaman and Nicobar.
Hinduism and Tribals
Almost all the tribes in India and their culture exhibit the impact of Hinduism. The
British
rule resulted in the process of culture contact with the outside world and
also improved the
svstem of communication. The so called iron curtain over tribal areas was removed. The
geographically isolated areas were thrown open. Tribals come into contact with the Hindus
and adopted many elements of Hinduism.
Hinduization is not aprocess of religious conversion. Hinduization means an internal
process of revitalization. It is a de- tribalization (discarding tribal way of life) process too.
There is nocompulsion or religious conversion in the process of Hinduization. Hinduization
means embracinga form of Hindu faith and practices by becoming a part of Hindu society
and accepting Hindu social organization namely caste. The tribals in India have been
influenced by certain tradition of the communities around them. The major neighbouring
community in all areas has been always been the Hindus. As a result from the very early
periods, there have been several points of contact between the Hindus of the area and tribal
communities within it.
Our ethnographic records establish that the contact varied from semi-isolation to complete
assimilation. The numerous castes among the Hindus have emerged out of the tribal stratum.
Some of the tribes were hinduized to the extent that they have been assimilated into different
11
Plos are also known as
advivasis (irsl inhabitants). They were
stay away from tlhe main streanm of Indian
sOciety. They were
marginalized sections and
Outside caste system ot structurC. As a result they were traditionally belonged to
entirely impure.
Tribes consider thensclves
different from the majority Indian society and
religion. Though majority of tribal other forms of
population still maintain its separage existence, its
exclusive beliefs and practices, more than 90
percent of them are oriented towards
and passing through different stages of Hinduism
Hinduization.
More than 95% of tribal population of
Western Imdia, Middle India and Eastern India are
hinduized. 5% accepted Christianity largely in Assam, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, Manipur and
Mizoranm and also a small portion in Kerala, Andaman and Nicobar.
Hinduism and Tribals
Almost all the tribes in India and their culture exhibit the impact of Hinduism. The
British
rule resulted in the process of culture contact with the outside world and
also improved the
svstem of communication. The so called iron curtain over tribal areas was removed. The
geographically isolated areas were thrown open. Tribals come into contact with the Hindus
and adopted many elements of Hinduism.
Hinduization is not aprocess of religious conversion. Hinduization means an internal
process of revitalization. It is a de- tribalization (discarding tribal way of life) process too.
There is nocompulsion or religious conversion in the process of Hinduization. Hinduization
means embracinga form of Hindu faith and practices by becoming a part of Hindu society
and accepting Hindu social organization namely caste. The tribals in India have been
influenced by certain tradition of the communities around them. The major neighbouring
community in all areas has been always been the Hindus. As a result from the very early
periods, there have been several points of contact between the Hindus of the area and tribal
communities within it.
Our ethnographic records establish that the contact varied from semi-isolation to complete
assimilation. The numerous castes among the Hindus have emerged out of the tribal stratum.
Some of the tribes were hinduized to the extent that they have been assimilated into different
11
