II The Nature of the Tribals

The basic characteristics of the tribals have been pointed out already in the definition of the tribals
under the anthropological study of their origin above. They are simple people, mild and harmless. They
are not sophisticated in their appearance and mental make-up. M.M. Thomas and R.W. Taylor listed the
following ethnic characteristics of the tribals.24

1. Localities: The tribals have a deep love of the land in which they live and are loyal to those who live in
it-their own people, with whom they are knitted together as a large family.

2. A virile self-reliance: They bend themselves as they have no one to approach for help in their daily
tasks of food-gathering, hunting, and self-preservation against their enemies. The tribal churches
(especially in N.E.I.) are self-supporting, a mark of their nature.

3. Hardworking and industrious: Self-reliance comes only through hard work. Most of the tribals are
hardworking and industrious, of course in varying degrees.

4. Conservatism: The tribals, as a rule, are conservative in their outlook. They don't like to change and
change, when needed, comes very slow among them. Education, technology, fashion, for example, do
not attract them. Even when introduced to change, they will cling on to their traditional values and
customs.

5. Truthfulness and honesty: They are praised by many writers and observers for their simple
guilelessness and truthfulness. But their character is disappearing in the changing circumstances of the
present day.

6. Timidity and shyness: They are ferocious and brave in the presence of their enemies of beasts and
foes, but they are timid and shy before other men. There is no aggressiveness in their blood. Constant
oppression make they them timid and they train their children in the development of fear complexes.
7. Drink and intemperance: The use of excessive alcohol and rice beer has been their curse always. This
addiction to alcohol has made them imbalanced in the make-up of their temper.

With the introduction of modern civilization and interaction with the Hindus and other people, such
distinct characteristics are fast disappearing among tribals. They are rather adopting many evils of
dishonesty and violence (as in the political life of many tribals), which they see and learn from the other
Indians, their neighbours.

III Habits of the Tribals

With the coming of education and other exposure to political and historical facts of the past, the tribals
are becoming increasingly aware that they are the indigenous people, the original inhabitants of the
land where they live. They have been living in this land or country since the dawn of history, 25

Political awareness is coming to the tribals more and more every day. And, realizing that they are being
exposed to the danger of losing their influence or ownership, many have started to move and demand
recognition of their rights and presence in the form of autonomous district councils or even separate
states.

Many of them especially in North East India, have successfully achieved their own states such as
Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Mizoram which were once clubbed together under Assam by the
British Government. The realization that land is their life-blood, their self-identification is gripping the
tribals now.