Tribal religions in India: Difference between revisions

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About 104 million people in [[India]] are members of [[Scheduled Tribes]], which accounts for 8.6 % of [[India]]{{'}}s population (according to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]]).<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/hlo/pca/pca_pdf/PCA-CRC-0000.pdf 2011 Census Primary Census Abstract]</ref> In the census of India from 1871 to 1941, tribals have been counted in different religions from other religions, 1871 (other religion), 1881 (Aboriginal), 1891 (forest tribe), 1901 (animist), 1911 (Animist), 1921 (Primitive), 1931 (Tribal religion), 1941 (tribes), However, since the census of 1951, the tribal population has been stopped separately. Many Indians belonging to these populations adhere to traditional Indian [[tribal religion]]s, often syncretised with one or more of the [[religion in India|major religious traditions]] of [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Islam]] or [[Christianity]] and often under ongoing pressure of [[cultural assimilation]].<ref name=tr>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/india/57.htm|title=The Green Revolution in India|work=U.S. Library of Congress (released in [[public domain]])|publisher=Library of Congress Country Studies|access-date=2007-10-06}}</ref>
[[File:2011 Census Scheduled Tribes distribution map India by state and union territory.svg|thumb|upright=1.55|Scheduled Tribes distribution map in India by state and union territory according to the 2011 Census.]]
Roughly 8.6 per cent of [[India]]'s population is made up of "[[Scheduled castes and tribes|Scheduled Tribes]]" (STs), traditional tribal communities. In India those who are not Christians, [[Muslims]], [[Jews]] or [[Zoroastrians]] are identified as [[Hindus]] — the reason being varied beliefs and practices are allowed in Hinduism and it is accorded as a geographical identity rather than merely a religious one. Although many of the Scheduled Tribes have modes of worship not typical to mainstream Hinduism, they ontologically form a part of the cultural practices of the land, as nature or ancestral worship, with varying degrees of [[syncretism]].{{cn|date=November 2024}}


The tribal people observe their festivals, which have no direct conflict with any religion, and they conduct marriage among them according to their tribal custom.
According to the [[2011 census of India]], about 7.9 million (7,937,734) out of 1.21 billion people did not adhere to any of the subcontinent's main religious communities of [[Hinduism]], [[Islam]], [[Christianity]], [[Sikhism]], [[Buddhism]], or [[Jainism]]. The census listed [[atheist]]s, [[Zoroastrians]], [[Jews]], and various specified and unspecified tribal religions separately under the header "Other Religions and Persuasions".<ref name="census2011">{{cite web |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11398/download/14511/DDW00C-01%20Appendix%20MDDS.xlsx |format=xlsx |title=C-01 Appendix: Details of religious community shown under 'Other religions and persuasions' in main table C01 - 2011 |website=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |date=21 January 2021 |access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref>
They have their own way of life to maintain all privileges in matters connected with marriage and succession, according to their customary tribal faith.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


In keeping with the nature of [[Indian religions|Indian religion]] generally, these particular religions often involve traditions of [[ancestor worship]] or worship of spirits of natural features.<ref>[[National Council of Educational Research and Training]]. "Social and Political Life - III". Publication Department, NCERT, 2009, p.83.</ref> Tribal beliefs persist as [[folk religion]] even among those converted to a [[major religion]].
Of these religious census groupings, the most numerous are [[Sarna (religion)|Sarna]] (4.9 million respondents), [[Gondi people|Gondi]] (1 million), [[Sari Dharam]] (506,000), [[Donyi-Poloism]] (331,000); [[Sanamahi religion|Sanamahi]] (222,000) and [[Khasi people|Khasi]] (139,000), with all other religions numbering less than 100,000 respondents, including 18,000 for "tribal religion", 5,600 for "nature religion", and 4,100 "animists".<ref name="census2011"/> The Scheduled Tribes account 89.39% (7,095,408) of total ORP in India.<ref>{{cite web|title=ST-14: Scheduled Tribe population by religious community, 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/SCST-Series/ST14.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114034625/https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/SCST-Series/ST14.html |archive-date=14 November 2019}}</ref>


The largest and best-known others religion of India is that of the [[Santhal people|Santhal]] of [[Orissa, India|Orissa]]. In 1991, there were some 24,000 Indians belonging to the Santhal community who identified explicitly as adherents of the Santhal traditional religion [[Sarna sthal|Sarnaism]] in the [[Indian census]], as opposed to 300,000 who identified as [[Christianity in India|Christians]]. Among the [[Munda people]] and [[Oraons]] of [[Bihar]], about 25 % of the population are Christian. Among the [[Kharia language| Kharia]] people of Bihar (population about 130,000), about 60 % are Christians. Tribal groups in the [[Himalayas]] following Bon religion were similarly affected by both [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]] in the late 20th century. The small hunting-and-gathering groups in the union territory of [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands|the Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] have also been under severe pressure of cultural assimilation.<ref name=tr/>
==Demographics==
{{Historical population
|1871|5102823
|1881|6426511
|1891|9280466
|1901|8584148
|1911|10295168
|1921|9774611
|1931|8280347
|1941|25441497
|1951|4985645
|footnote=Note: [[Census in British India|Colonial census]] data contain discrepancies due to changing political boundaries, unrecorded areas, varied methodologies, and administrative priorities of the era, wherein the religious beliefs of diverse tribal groups were clubbed under single general category, such as Animist or Tribal religion. The post-independence census publishes returns for each religious belief separately.
|source=Census of India<ref>{{Citation |last=Roshan |first=Rajesh |title=Tribe, Religion, and Census of India (From 1871 to 2011) |date=2024-09-02 |work=The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Readings on Tribe and Religions in India |pages=140–178 |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781003516415/chapters/10.4324/9781003516415-13 |access-date=2024-12-06 |edition=1 |place=London |publisher=Routledge India |language=en |doi=10.4324/9781003516415-13 |isbn=978-1-003-51641-5|url-access=subscription }}</ref>}}
{{Pie chart
|caption=State/UT wise distribution of 7.9 million {{abbr|ORP|Other Religions and Persuasions}} of India, 2011 census<ref name="census2011"/>
|thumb=right
|value1=53.36
|label1=[[Religion in Jharkhand|Jharkhand]]
|value2=11.87
|label2=[[Religion in West Bengal|West Bengal]]
|value3=7.55
|label3=[[Religion in Madhya Pradesh|Madhya Pradesh]]
|value4=6.23
|label4=[[Chhattisgarh]]
|value5=6.03
|label5=[[Odisha]]
|value6=4.57
|label6=[[Arunachal Pradesh]]
|value7=3.25
|label7=[[Meghalaya]]
|value8=2.95
|label8=[[Manipur]]
|value9=2.25
|label9=[[Maharashtra]]
|other=yes
|other-color=grey
}}
 
{{static row numbers}}{{sort under}}{{Table alignment}}{{row hover highlight}}
{|class="wikitable static-row-numbers static-row-header-text defaultleft col2right col4center hover-highlight"
|+ Statistics for the other religions and persuasions, 2011 census<ref name="census2011"/><ref>{{cite web|title=ST-14 A Details Of Religions Shown Under 'Other Religions And Persuasions' In Main Table (For Each Tribe Separately) |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/SCST-Series/ST14A.html |publisher=Office of The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920222100/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/SCST-Series/ST14A.html |archive-date=20 September 2016 }}</ref>
! Religious belief !! Population !! State/UT <br/>{{nobold|{{small|(significant five)}}}} !! ST Adherent <br/>(%) !! Primary ST Adherents <br/>{{nobold|{{small|(significant five)}}}}
|-
| [[Sarnaism|Sarna]] || 4,957,467 || 99.98% in: Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh || 92.61 || [[Santal people|Santal]], [[Kurukh people|Oraon]], [[Ho people|Ho]], [[Munda people|Munda]], [[Lohra (tribe)|Lohar]]
|-
| [[Gondi people#Religion|Gond/ Gondi]]|| 1,026,344 || 99.97% in: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand || 98.45 || [[Gondi people|Gond]], [[Pardhan language|Pardhan]], [[Baiga]], Agaria, ''Generic tribe''
|-
| [[Sari Dharam|Sari Dharma]] || 506,369 || 100% in: West Bengal || 97.42 || [[Santal people|Santal]], [[Kora (tribe)|Kora]], [[Bhumij people|Bhumij]], [[Mahli]], ''Generic tribe''
|-
| [[Donyi-Polo|Doni Polo/ Sidonyi Polo]]|| 331,370 || 99.96% in: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam || 98.79 || [[Nyishi people|Nyishi]], [[Galo tribe|Galong]], [[Adi people|Adi]], [[Tagin people|Tagin]], [[Apatani people|Apatan]]
|-
| [[Sanamahism|Sanamahi]]|| 222,422 || 99.95% in: Manipur || 0.32 || [[Kabui]], [[Maring people|Maring]], ''Generic tribe''
|-
| [[Khasi people|Khasi]]|| 138,512 || 99.98% in: Meghalaya || 98.23 || [[Khasi people|Khasi]], [[Mikir]], [[Dimasa people|Dimasa]], ''Generic tribe''
|-
| [[Adivasi]]|| 86,877 || 96.32% in: Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat || 94.94 || [[Kurukh people|Oraon]], [[Gondi people|Gond]], [[Halba (tribe)|Halba]], [[Kharwar]], [[Bhil]]
|-
| [[Niamtre]]|| 84,276 || 99.98% in: Meghalaya || 96.05 || [[Khasi people|Khasi]], [[Synteng]], [[Pawi people|Pawi]], ''Generic tribe''
|-
| Adi Dharam|| 82,255 || 100% in: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal || 97.46 || [[Kurukh people|Oraon]], [[Nagesia]], [[Korwa people|Korwa]], [[Gondi people|Gond]], [[Munda people|Munda]]
|-
| Adim dhamm || 57,022 || 99.98% in: Chhattisgarh || 97.48 || [[Gondi people|Gond]], [[Halba (tribe)|Halba]]
|-
| ''[[Atheism|Atheist]]''|| 33,304 || 82.15% in: Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu || 46.43 || [[Khasi people|Khasi]], [[Bhil]], [[Garo people|Garo]]
|-
| Bidin || 29,553 || 98.76% in: Jharkhand || 98.89 || [[Santal people|Santal]], [[Sauria Paharia people|Sauria Paharia]], [[Mal Paharia people|Mal Paharia]], ''Generic tribes''
|-
| Adi || 24,381 || 98.73% in: Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh || 96.25 || [[Kurukh people|Oraon]], [[Kolha]], [[Nagesia]], [[Gondi people|Gond]], [[Kisan people|Kisan]]
|-
| [[Songsarek]]|| 19,834 || 99.84% in: Meghalaya || 97.13 || [[Garo people|Garo]], ''Generic tribe''
|-
| [[Yuma Sammang|Yumasam]]|| 19,093 || 99.86% in: Sikkim, West Bengal || 92.68 || [[Limboo]], [[Limbu people|Limbu (Subba)]], ''Generic tribe''
|-
| [[Tribal religion]]|| 17,393 || 96.84% in: Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh || 83.52 || [[Mishmi people|Mishmi]], [[Nocte people|Nocte]], [[Kaman (Miju) Mishmis|Kaman/Miju Mishmi]], Miji
|-
| [[Rangfrah|Rangfra]]|| 10,598 || 100% in: Arunachal Pradesh || 96.46 || [[Tangsa Naga|Tangsa]], Longchang Tangsa, [[Naga people|Naga]], [[Tangsa Naga|Moglum Tangsa]], Taisen Tangsa
|-
| [[Heraka]]|| 9,956* || 99.95% in: Manipur, Nagaland, Assam || 122.2 ||
|-
| Santal || 6,485 || 99.11% in: West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar || 84.19 || [[Santal people|Santal]], ''Generic tribe''
|-
| ''[[Nature religion|Nature Religion]]''|| 5,635 || 98.49% in: Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand || 92.28 || [[Khonds|Khond]], [[Gondi people|Gond]], [[Mal Paharia people|Mal Paharia]], [[Korwa people|Korwa]], [[Baiga]]
|-
| [[Baháʼí Faith]]|| 4,572 || 58.81% in: Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal || 11.81 || [[Kunbi]], [[Kokna (tribe)|Kokna]]
|-
| Nani Intiya || 4,528 || 100% in: Arunachal Pradesh || 98.9 || [[Mishmi people|Mishmi]]
|-
| ''[[Animism|Animist]]''|| 4,130 || 98.26% in: Sikkim, West Bengal, Nagaland || 11.07 || [[Naga people|Naga]]
|-
| Dupub || 3,326 || 99.97% in: Odisha, Jharkhand || 97.9 || [[Ho people|Ho]], [[Kol people|Kol]], [[Kolha]]
|-
| [[Birsa Munda|Birsa]]|| 2,395 || 99.87% in: Jharkhand || 97.66 || [[Munda people|Munda]]
|-
| [[Ahom religion|Fralung]]|| 2,381 || 100% in: Assam || 4.07 || ''Generic tribe''
|-
| [[Paganism|Pagan]]|| 2,088* || 99.95% in: Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland || 106.37 || [[Garo people|Garo]], [[Poumai Naga people|Poumai Naga]], [[Naga people|Naga]]
|-
| Baiga  || 1,884 || 99.79% in: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh || 96.92 || [[Baiga]]
|-
| [[Tadvi Bhil|Tadvi]]|| 1,786 || 99.1% in: Maharashtra || 96.64 || [[Bhil]], [[Dhanka]]
|-
| [[Nocte people#Religion|Nocte]]|| 1,511 || 99.47% in: Arunachal Pradesh || 97.49 || [[Nocte people|Nocte]]
|-
| Sarnam || 1,494 || 99.8% in: Jharkhand, Odisha || 93.04 || [[Bhumij people|Bhumij]]
|-
| Ho || 1,418 || 95.77% in: Jharkhand, Odisha || 84.41 || [[Ho people|Ho]]
|-
| Nyarino || 1,365 || 100% in: Arunachal Pradesh || 96.92 || [[Aka (tribe)|Aka]]
|-
| Budhadeo || 1,345 || 99.18% in: Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh || 67.88 || [[Gondi people|Gond]]
|-
| Bhil || 1,323 || 98.34% in: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan || 67.57 || [[Bhil]]
|-
| {{nat|A.C.}} || 1,317 || 94.76% in: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu || 67.81 || [[Bhil]]
|-
| [[Traditional Religion|Traditional religion]]|| 1,239 || 98.87% in: Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh || 95.8 || [[Mikir]]
|-
| Intaya || 1,208 || 99.92% in: Arunachal Pradesh || 99.34 || [[Mishmi people|Mishmi]]
|-
| [[Tana Bhagats|Tana Bhagat]]|| 1,108 || 99.91% in: Jharkhand || 96.39 || [[Kurukh people|Oraon]]
|-
| Oraon || 1,091 || 82.68% in: Jharkhand, West Bengal || 82.13 || [[Kurukh people|Oraon]], ''Generic tribe''
|-
| Munda || 1,086 || 96.32% in: Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha || 87.02 || [[Munda people|Munda]]
|}
 
==Customs==
The tribal people observe their festivals, which have no direct conflict with any religion, and they conduct marriage among them according to their tribal custom. They have their own way of life to maintain all privileges in matters connected with marriage and succession, according to their customary tribal faith.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} In keeping with the nature of [[Indian religions|Indian religion]] generally, these particular religions often involve traditions of [[ancestor worship]] or worship of spirits of natural features.<ref>[[National Council of Educational Research and Training]]. "Social and Political Life - III". Publication Department, NCERT, 2009, p.83.</ref>
 
The various tribes can be categorised into different major linguistic groupings, such as [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]], [[Dravidian languages|Dravidian]], [[Austroasiatic languages|Austroasiatic]], [[Tibeto-Burman languages|Tibeto-Burman]], and [[Andamanese languages|Andamanese]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-24 |title=Tribal Languages in India – Introduction (1/4) |url=https://www.wordsinthebucket.com/indian-tribal-languages-1 |access-date=2023-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924051948/https://www.wordsinthebucket.com/indian-tribal-languages-1 |archive-date=2019-09-24 }}</ref>
 
About 25% of the [[Munda people]] and [[Oraon people]], and 60% of the [[Kharia language|Kharia]] people of Jharkhand (population about 130,000), are Christian. Altogether, 43% of [[Kharia people|Kharia]] population is Hindu while 46% is Christian. However, almost two-thirds (63%) of the [[Santhal people|Santhal]], over 40% of [[Munda people|Munda]] and [[Ho people|Ho]] tribal population are Hindus. Tribal groups in the [[Himalayas]] were similarly affected by both [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]] in the late 20th century. The small hunting-and-gathering groups in the union territory of [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands|the Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] have been under severe pressure of cultural assimilation.<ref name=tr>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/india/57.htm|title=The Green Revolution in India|work=U.S. Library of Congress (released in [[public domain]])|publisher=Library of Congress Country Studies|access-date=2007-10-06}}</ref>


==Recognition==
==Recognition==
According to the Indian legal system, all the native or [[indigenous religions]] of India fall broadly under Hinduism, since the constitution does not classify only [[Vedic religions]]{{dn|date=November 2021}} as [[Hinduism]] as used in the colloquial norm. The term [[wikt:𐏃𐎡𐎯𐎢𐏁#Old_Persian|"Hindu" is derived from Persian]] meaning "[[Indo subcontinent|Indo]]" (or Indian), hence the official word "Hinduism" broadly refers to all the native cultures of the Indian subcontinent. The 1955 Hindu Marriage Act "[defines] as Hindus anyone who is not a [[Christian]], [[Muslim]], or [[Jew]]".{{sfn|Cavanaugh|2009|p=88}}
According to the Indian legal system, all the native or [[indigenous religions]] of India fall broadly under Hinduism, since the constitution does not classify only [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic religions]] as [[Hinduism]] as used in the colloquial norm. The term [[wikt:𐏃𐎡𐎯𐎢𐏁#Old Persian|"Hindu" is derived from Persian]] meaning "[[Indo subcontinent|Indo]]" (or Indian), hence the official word "Hinduism" broadly refers to all the native cultures of the Indian subcontinent. The 1955 Hindu Marriage Act "[defines] as Hindus anyone who is not a [[Christian]], [[Muslim]], or [[Jew]]".<ref>{{citation |last=Cavanaugh |first=William T. |year=2009 |title=The Myth of Religious Violence : Secular Ideology and the Roots of Modern Conflict: Secular Ideology and the Roots of Modern Conflict |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=88 |url=https://archive.org/details/mythofreligiousv0000cava |url-access=registration |doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195385045.001.0001}}</ref>


==List of current folk religions==
== List of Tribal Religions in India ==
* [[Adivasi religion]]
{{unsourced section|date=April 2025}}
* [[Ahom religion]]
* [[Northeast India]]
* [[Bathouism]]
** [[Donyi-Polo]]
* [[Donyi-Polo]]
** [[Sanamahi]]
* [[Kirat Mundhum]]
** [[Songsarek religion|Songsarek]]
* [[Sanamahism]]
** [[Ka Niam Khasi]]
* [[Sarnaism]]
** Kundimama
** [[Niamtre]]
** [[Rangfrah]]
** [[Heraka]]
** [[Wancho Religion]]
** [[Nocte Religion]]
** [[Tiwa people (India)|Tiwa Religion ]]
** [[Ahom religion]]
** [[Keoliya]]
** [[Daikhoism]]
** [[Aronban]]
** [[Lokhimon]]
** [[Sat Sang]]
** [[Honghari]]
** [[Cumulang]]
** [[Dyaoism]]
** [[Siangsawn Pasian]]
** [[Krama Religion]]
** [[Sanamahism]]
** [[Sari Dharam]]
* [[East India]]
** [[Bon]]
** [[Kiratism]]
** [[Yumaism]]
** [[Sarnaism|Sarna]]
** [[Sari Dharam]]
** [[Onge Religion]]
** [[Jarawa Religion]]
* [[Central India]]
** [[Koyapunem]]


==See also==
==See also==
Line 25: Line 185:
* [[Folk Hinduism]]
* [[Folk Hinduism]]
* [[Indian religions]]
* [[Indian religions]]
* [[Kalashism]] and [[Nuristanis#Pre-Islamic_religion|Kafirism]]
* [[Kalashism]] and [[Nuristanis#Pre-Islamic religion|Kafirism]]
* [[Bon]]
* [[Bon]]
* [[Freedom of religion in India]]
* [[List of ethnic religions]]
* [[List of religions and spiritual traditions]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Religion in India topics}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Tribal Religions In India}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tribal Religions In India}}

Latest revision as of 20:10, 9 March 2026


Scheduled Tribes distribution map in India by state and union territory according to the 2011 Census.

Roughly 8.6 per cent of India's population is made up of "Scheduled Tribes" (STs), traditional tribal communities. In India those who are not Christians, Muslims, Jews or Zoroastrians are identified as Hindus — the reason being varied beliefs and practices are allowed in Hinduism and it is accorded as a geographical identity rather than merely a religious one. Although many of the Scheduled Tribes have modes of worship not typical to mainstream Hinduism, they ontologically form a part of the cultural practices of the land, as nature or ancestral worship, with varying degrees of syncretism.[citation needed]

According to the 2011 census of India, about 7.9 million (7,937,734) out of 1.21 billion people did not adhere to any of the subcontinent's main religious communities of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, or Jainism. The census listed atheists, Zoroastrians, Jews, and various specified and unspecified tribal religions separately under the header "Other Religions and Persuasions".[1]

Of these religious census groupings, the most numerous are Sarna (4.9 million respondents), Gondi (1 million), Sari Dharam (506,000), Donyi-Poloism (331,000); Sanamahi (222,000) and Khasi (139,000), with all other religions numbering less than 100,000 respondents, including 18,000 for "tribal religion", 5,600 for "nature religion", and 4,100 "animists".[1] The Scheduled Tribes account 89.39% (7,095,408) of total ORP in India.[2]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18715,102,823—    
18816,426,511+25.9%
18919,280,466+44.4%
19018,584,148−7.5%
191110,295,168+19.9%
19219,774,611−5.1%
19318,280,347−15.3%
194125,441,497+207.3%
19514,985,645−80.4%
Note: Colonial census data contain discrepancies due to changing political boundaries, unrecorded areas, varied methodologies, and administrative priorities of the era, wherein the religious beliefs of diverse tribal groups were clubbed under single general category, such as Animist or Tribal religion. The post-independence census publishes returns for each religious belief separately.
Source: Census of India[3]

State/UT wise distribution of 7.9 million ORP of India, 2011 census[1]

  Jharkhand (53.36%)
  West Bengal (11.87%)
  Madhya Pradesh (7.55%)
  Chhattisgarh (6.23%)
  Odisha (6.03%)
  Arunachal Pradesh (4.57%)
  Meghalaya (3.25%)
  Manipur (2.95%)
  Maharashtra (2.25%)
  Other (1.94%)

Template:Sort underTemplate:Row hover highlight

Statistics for the other religions and persuasions, 2011 census[1][4]
Religious belief Population State/UT
(significant five)		 ST Adherent
(%)		 Primary ST Adherents
(significant five)
Sarna 4,957,467 99.98% in: Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh 92.61 Santal, Oraon, Ho, Munda, Lohar
Gond/ Gondi 1,026,344 99.97% in: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand 98.45 Gond, Pardhan, Baiga, Agaria, Generic tribe
Sari Dharma 506,369 100% in: West Bengal 97.42 Santal, Kora, Bhumij, Mahli, Generic tribe
Doni Polo/ Sidonyi Polo 331,370 99.96% in: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam 98.79 Nyishi, Galong, Adi, Tagin, Apatan
Sanamahi 222,422 99.95% in: Manipur 0.32 Kabui, Maring, Generic tribe
Khasi 138,512 99.98% in: Meghalaya 98.23 Khasi, Mikir, Dimasa, Generic tribe
Adivasi 86,877 96.32% in: Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat 94.94 Oraon, Gond, Halba, Kharwar, Bhil
Niamtre 84,276 99.98% in: Meghalaya 96.05 Khasi, Synteng, Pawi, Generic tribe
Adi Dharam 82,255 100% in: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal 97.46 Oraon, Nagesia, Korwa, Gond, Munda
Adim dhamm 57,022 99.98% in: Chhattisgarh 97.48 Gond, Halba
Atheist 33,304 82.15% in: Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu 46.43 Khasi, Bhil, Garo
Bidin 29,553 98.76% in: Jharkhand 98.89 Santal, Sauria Paharia, Mal Paharia, Generic tribes
Adi 24,381 98.73% in: Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh 96.25 Oraon, Kolha, Nagesia, Gond, Kisan
Songsarek 19,834 99.84% in: Meghalaya 97.13 Garo, Generic tribe
Yumasam 19,093 99.86% in: Sikkim, West Bengal 92.68 Limboo, Limbu (Subba), Generic tribe
Tribal religion 17,393 96.84% in: Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh 83.52 Mishmi, Nocte, Kaman/Miju Mishmi, Miji
Rangfra 10,598 100% in: Arunachal Pradesh 96.46 Tangsa, Longchang Tangsa, Naga, Moglum Tangsa, Taisen Tangsa
Heraka 9,956* 99.95% in: Manipur, Nagaland, Assam 122.2
Santal 6,485 99.11% in: West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar 84.19 Santal, Generic tribe
Nature Religion 5,635 98.49% in: Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand 92.28 Khond, Gond, Mal Paharia, Korwa, Baiga
Baháʼí Faith 4,572 58.81% in: Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal 11.81 Kunbi, Kokna
Nani Intiya 4,528 100% in: Arunachal Pradesh 98.9 Mishmi
Animist 4,130 98.26% in: Sikkim, West Bengal, Nagaland 11.07 Naga
Dupub 3,326 99.97% in: Odisha, Jharkhand 97.9 Ho, Kol, Kolha
Birsa 2,395 99.87% in: Jharkhand 97.66 Munda
Fralung 2,381 100% in: Assam 4.07 Generic tribe
Pagan 2,088* 99.95% in: Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland 106.37 Garo, Poumai Naga, Naga
Baiga 1,884 99.79% in: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh 96.92 Baiga
Tadvi 1,786 99.1% in: Maharashtra 96.64 Bhil, Dhanka
Nocte 1,511 99.47% in: Arunachal Pradesh 97.49 Nocte
Sarnam 1,494 99.8% in: Jharkhand, Odisha 93.04 Bhumij
Ho 1,418 95.77% in: Jharkhand, Odisha 84.41 Ho
Nyarino 1,365 100% in: Arunachal Pradesh 96.92 Aka
Budhadeo 1,345 99.18% in: Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh 67.88 Gond
Bhil 1,323 98.34% in: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan 67.57 Bhil
Template:Nat 1,317 94.76% in: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu 67.81 Bhil
Traditional religion 1,239 98.87% in: Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh 95.8 Mikir
Intaya 1,208 99.92% in: Arunachal Pradesh 99.34 Mishmi
Tana Bhagat 1,108 99.91% in: Jharkhand 96.39 Oraon
Oraon 1,091 82.68% in: Jharkhand, West Bengal 82.13 Oraon, Generic tribe
Munda 1,086 96.32% in: Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha 87.02 Munda

Customs[edit | edit source]

The tribal people observe their festivals, which have no direct conflict with any religion, and they conduct marriage among them according to their tribal custom. They have their own way of life to maintain all privileges in matters connected with marriage and succession, according to their customary tribal faith.[citation needed] In keeping with the nature of Indian religion generally, these particular religions often involve traditions of ancestor worship or worship of spirits of natural features.[5]

The various tribes can be categorised into different major linguistic groupings, such as Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Austroasiatic, Tibeto-Burman, and Andamanese.[6]

About 25% of the Munda people and Oraon people, and 60% of the Kharia people of Jharkhand (population about 130,000), are Christian. Altogether, 43% of Kharia population is Hindu while 46% is Christian. However, almost two-thirds (63%) of the Santhal, over 40% of Munda and Ho tribal population are Hindus. Tribal groups in the Himalayas were similarly affected by both Hinduism and Buddhism in the late 20th century. The small hunting-and-gathering groups in the union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been under severe pressure of cultural assimilation.[7]

Recognition[edit | edit source]

According to the Indian legal system, all the native or indigenous religions of India fall broadly under Hinduism, since the constitution does not classify only Vedic religions as Hinduism as used in the colloquial norm. The term "Hindu" is derived from Persian meaning "Indo" (or Indian), hence the official word "Hinduism" broadly refers to all the native cultures of the Indian subcontinent. The 1955 Hindu Marriage Act "[defines] as Hindus anyone who is not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew".[8]

List of Tribal Religions in India[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "C-01 Appendix: Details of religious community shown under 'Other religions and persuasions' in main table C01 - 2011" (xlsx). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  2. ↑ "ST-14: Scheduled Tribe population by religious community, 2011". Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 14 November 2019.
  3. ↑ Roshan, Rajesh (2024-09-02), "Tribe, Religion, and Census of India (From 1871 to 2011)", The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Readings on Tribe and Religions in India (1 ed.), London: Routledge India, pp. 140–178, doi:10.4324/9781003516415-13, ISBN 978-1-003-51641-5, retrieved 2024-12-06{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)
  4. ↑ "ST-14 A Details Of Religions Shown Under 'Other Religions And Persuasions' In Main Table (For Each Tribe Separately)". Office of The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 20 September 2016.
  5. ↑ National Council of Educational Research and Training. "Social and Political Life - III". Publication Department, NCERT, 2009, p.83.
  6. ↑ "Tribal Languages in India – Introduction (1/4)". 2019-09-24. Archived from the original on 2019-09-24. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  7. ↑ "The Green Revolution in India". U.S. Library of Congress (released in public domain). Library of Congress Country Studies. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
  8. ↑ Cavanaugh, William T. (2009), The Myth of Religious Violence : Secular Ideology and the Roots of Modern Conflict: Secular Ideology and the Roots of Modern Conflict, Oxford University Press, p. 88, doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195385045.001.0001

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