Sign and Symbols in Tribal Culture

Tribal culture speculate the complex religion and strange beliefs. All the various tribal communities, narrows down to one common facts- a real world outlined with countless myths. Since time immemorial, the concept of understanding nature and the style of living life has underwent several changes. But yet, many tribal folks are not behind to pass on their ancestral belief to the their next generation. A very interesting way to unfold their culture, is to brief out the sign and symbols, which represents the status and style within the society.

Tattoos: The use of tattoos in tribal community speaks a lot in terms of of the origin and the social hierarchy of a person, who wears it. It is said, a person bearing big and complex tattoo is superior as compared to one with simple one. As per the tribal rituals, tattoo describes the age and sex of an individual. Also, in some tribes, males ink their body-parts with the totem animals and believe that they inherit the power of the tattooed animal. The Toda women tattooed in patterns of dots and circle, expresses their adulthood, whereas, scar in the male's wrist or elbows, certifies him for milking buffaloes.

Wooden articles: Males in Naga tribal community display their status symbol by wearing wooden carved head gears in any of their festivals or dance acts. According to them, it symbolizes their bravery and status. Horned head dresses, intricate with animal teeth and beaks are believed to enhance the power and prestige of the wearer. Many carry the proud occupation of carving drinking mugs, smoking pipes and morung pillars, flourished with the sign of powerful wild animals like tigers, buffaloes etc or symbol of warriors and weapons.

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Mortal birds are immortal in tribal culture

The free flying birds wave the age-old tribal tradition. While digging out the underlying fact tribal couture, a strange fact pops out; the fur skins of wild birds are the main decor, treasured by the tribal ancestors. In retrospect, we will find the active use of Peacock quills by Kings and Queen. Hindu Mythology has attached the multi hued quills with Lord Krishna and now a few filmy scenes has showcased it romantically. But Apart from this classic tales, the main theme lies in how strongly it depicts the culture of different tribes.

Where Peacock expresses the beauty of India, Eagle advocates the mythical belief of the tribes of the very country. According to the traditional tribal culture, an eagle is the messenger of the Almighty. This wild birds carries the instruction of God for tribal folks and the bird wings are a key to this contract. Like the inseparable animal skin and teeth, the bird beaks and skin revolve around the socialite of Nagaland , Himachal Pradesh and many other tribes all around the globe. The feathers are taken specially for ornamenting their look. Many tribal festival is incomplete with the feathered man, meaning the normal human beings adorned with feather attributes, like bird's head turned upside down on their heads or feathers stitched out on their clothes.

And surprisingly, in this era of science, the Irula tribes of Attapadi in Kerala are still practicing the traditional way of preparing medicines from burning owl feathers, nails and skin

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Tagin Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh.

'The land of rising Sun', Arunachal Pradesh is among the popular tribal location in India. It is positioned in the northeastern part of India and covers an area of 83, 743 sq. km. The state holds about 63% tribal groups, of which each tribes are known for its unique culture and belief. One notable tribe is the Tagins residing in the Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh. Speaking of the sub-division of this tribe, the 'Tagin-Moya' and 'Mayu' inhabits the upper valley of Subansiri river and the valleys of its tributaries, while the 'Mara' and 'Na' sub-groups dominates the Limeking and Taksing Circle, which lie close to Tibet.

The hilly land of Arunachal Pradesh is dotted with the myths and beliefs of Tagin society. The people here are known for their independent style of living. Despite of the following the law and order of Indian Panel Court, this tribal group organize their own legal institution and look after the welfare of the tribal folk and activities.

They wrap themselves in a single piece of cloth and believe to cure their diseases with traditional medicines made of fruits, plant stem and wild leaves. A surprising fact lies in their type of Wedding ceremony. Marriages are patri-local and polygamy is well-practiced in the society. One of the person sings a tribal folk-song and symbolically demand bride-price from the Groom. A certain amount is fixed in exchange of the bride and a receipt of the due items are is prepared in the name of God.

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Ghotul, a gateway to modern tribal life

The seamless beauty of traditional life with modern thinking comes with a glimpse into the Ghotul learning center. India is popular for its indifferent tribal culture and its society of rules and regulations. Lets have a look into the adhivasi tribal center in Chhattisgarh, India.

Ghotul, in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh plays a vital role in developing the life and culture of Muria Gond tribal groups. This autonomous institution speaks a lot of the moral messages of freedom and happiness; friendliness and sympathy; hospitality and unity. The institution understands no material gain and treasures human love and its physical expression of truth, understanding and clarity. The institution is taken care by mutual understanding among both male and female individuals. boys and girls at their tender age of six years are entitled with its membership and social responsibilities. The female workers are known as 'Motiyaris' whereas the male workers are known as 'Cheliks'.

One interesting fact lies the development concerning the women folk. Beside participating actively in decision-making policies, women are assigned with the administrative task at the Ghotul. Unlike other traditional societies the women are not bound to the hard and fast rule of spouse-selection, arrange marriage and pre-marital conditions.

The institution also aims at teaching the skillful activity of leaf-weaving, vegetable-growing, ash-cleaning and wood-carving. Typically known as dormitory, this institution is also one step ahead in spreading sex-education in the society.

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Tribal tattoo Culture

Wonders are many and one wonder lies in understanding tribal and their culture. A very interesting facts came with studying tattoo and its cultural significance.

Ancient records indicates that tribal and tattoos were an inseparable phenomenon. Both men and women were keen to painting their bare body with color produced from natural herbs.A strong tribal tradition remarked that tattoos are a sign of status and religion,love and emotion, protection and punishment. The myth dominating the tribal life style have submerged its use with spiritual fundas of the society and believe tattoos are a to help protect themselves from evil worlds.
Time have changed and the tattoo twist have entered the fashionable galaxy. Where fashionistas are taking it in vogue, many tribal community are still merging its use with cultural integrity. Many folks hold the concept of making a permanent mark in their child body at the tender age of 5 only.
Some very popular tribal tattoos comes in aggressive dark black lines of symmetrical shapes. Other tattoo symbol includes axe, wild animals and fire shades.

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Calculating Tribal Life with Cultural Style

Nature unfolds scenic beauty and so do different cultures,of which the most exciting study comes in with tribal contents ;their culture and lifestyle. The group constitute a mere percentage of 8.08% of the total Indian population and often quoted as old settlers with variability in languages. Tribal people,popularly called Adivasi spends a simple yet meaningful livelihood,thereby maintaining their primitive culture as well as filling their breadbasket.

Treasuring old culture: Both tribal men and women plays a vital role in preserving cultural dictionary. Traditional stones, beads,birds quills and off-course shawls are a must-have attires in their wardrobe. Were man believes in farming ,women take active part in weaving traditional shawls and knitting sweaters for their dear ones. The most common farming technique lies in Jhum cultivation(cutting well-grown corns following with burning the land to increase its fertility);a primitive agricultural style. Men sweats out their whole day with cultivation whereas women are home-makers,engaging themselves to caring their family. Other then cooking their daily food staff at times they make their favorite local drinks and pickles (eg:'pithamadhu','akhoni') so as to sweep away their exhausted life with its typical taste.

Merging culture with profession: Although tribal society has turned modernized with new professional themes. The very remote tribal areas are not left with practicing cultural ways of earning their livelihood. In addition to farming,they are expert in hunting wild animals and hand-crafting wooden articles. The north eastern region of India is rich in tribal scenery and the best way to grab this interesting fact lies in your own personal visit.

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Khasi Tribes of India

Khasi Tribe – Introduction
Our Indian tribal tour today will discuss undoubtedly the most famous tribes of India. These Khasi tribes have a unique culture which any one would find strange but enjoy to the fullest. Historically Khasi tribes of India are regarded as the earliest migrants from Myanmar. These Indian tribes also ran a kingdom but it was later diluted and liquidized by the Britishers and controlled over.

Khasi tribe – Location
Assam, Khasi Jaintia hills in Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal are some of the the major places inhabited by Khasi tribes of India.

Khasi Tribe – Culture
The culture followed by these tribes of India is the typical Indian tribal culture, but is distinctive in its own way. It is probably the only Indian tribes where females are given priority over the males. The property is passed from the mother to the youngest daughter. Dance and music are the integral part of the life of these popular tribes of India. Drums, Guitars and flutes are some of the instruments mastered by Khasi tribe. The marriage culture is very unique as the groom has to live in the bride's home after marriage.

Khasi Tribe – Language
These Indian tribes speak Khasi which is an Austro – Asiatic language.

Khasi Tribe – Clothing
Men amongst Khasi tribes of India wear long sleeveless without collar coat known as Jymphong. They also wear headgears or turbans. Women of the Khasi tribes are very fond of wearing jewelery and earrings. Both the genders of these tribes of India wear silver chains at their waists.

Khasi Tribe – Religion
The major part of Khasi tribes of India follow Christianity. For these Indian tribes God U Blei Nong-thaw is the supreme creator and goddess who protect them from all the troubles of life. Ulei Longspah (god of wealth), Shnong (tutelary deity of the village) and many other gods are also worshiped.

Khasi Tribe – Food
Rice is the staple food of the Khasis tribes of India. They also cosume fish and meat and occasionally drink rice beer.

Khasi Tribe – Festivals
Nongkrem is the chief festival celebrated amongst the Khasi tribes. This is a five days long religious festival that falls in the month of November. The atmosphere is also very festive in the month of April. Shad Suk Mynsiem is celebrated for three days by these enthusiastic tribes of India.

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