Adivasi of India
Like all tribal people across the globe, the Adivasi of India were happy to live in lives that were uncomplicated by money. Till recently, they were living in harmony with their surroundings.
The forest gave them food, clothing, material for housing and medicine. Like the Japanese, who believe in Shinto, the Adivasi believe in the divine nature of "Nature". To them, all things are imbibed with the divine spirit and are deserving of respect. Later, Hinduism absorbed their Gods and Goddesses in to its rich tapestry of scriptures, myths and legands and added their myths and legends to its own.
Adivasi used to situate their villages near their food and water source. The men would hunt, farm and protect the village, while the women would farm and do the majority of the household chores. The material they used for housing was easily obtainable from their surroundings - bamboo, wood, thatch, mud etc. Being a natural insulator, mud walls are great at keeping temperature inside hut at a constant rate - neither too hot nor too cold. The palm and thatch roofs kept the rain out and were made from renewable resources.
The life of the Adivasi was spent mainly outdoors. Children ran around and played outdoors while most of the household chores were conducted outdoors too. The hut was used to sleep indoors in bad weather and store food, cloths and tools. Children would help out with the household chores and would hence learn how to do things from an early age. This was essential in a community that was self reliant self contained.
The tribe used to collectively cultivate small clearings to grow essential food stuff. They hunted forest animals to supplement their diet as and when required. They used to sell herbs, animal skins and other forest products to earn cash from city dwellers. They used to prize items made from metal, tools and glass beads.
Changes in their lives
Arrival of "money" and all it can bring has changed the lives of Adivasi forever.
Now, with new houses, they need money to buy the fired bricks and tiles. They also find that their life pattern has changed to suite a new way of life. It is no longer possible to "live outdoors" as before. Now that each room has a "unique function" and furniture that goes with it, they have to work hard to provide the beds, tables and cabinets that make up their new house.
The village itself has had to relocate to be closer to the main road that runs to the nearest town. This has brought them away from their traditional source of food and water. Shop(s) selling new foods and "luxury" items tempt them to buy things. Adivasi need to work hard to earn enough to purchase these goods.
The common ownership of things, such as land, has now been largly transfered to "individuals". This causes tensions in the society / family and is at the root of some of the issues they face.
Like the new clothes, the new foods need to be paid for and the only way to do it is by 1) farming or 2) working for the "richer" folk. This is not what the once proud people want to do, but, to pay for a "modern mod cons", they have to - they have little choice.
The carefree Adivasi life of a generation or two ago, is no more !
© Bhagwat Shah
