Folk and Tribal Roots

Class 6 Social Science · Chapter 7: India's Cultural Roots · NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond section 7.3

Learn

Isha's cousin lives in a village near a small forest that no one is allowed to cut. "It's our sacred grove," her aunt explains. "Our grandparents protected it, and so do we." Such groves are called devrai in Maharashtra, kavu in Kerala and sarna in Jharkhand.

Besides the Vedic, Buddhist and Jain traditions, Indian culture has deep folk and tribal roots. India has hundreds of tribal communities with their own languages, gods, songs, dances, crafts and ways of living close to nature. Many see rivers, hills, trees and animals as sacred.

Folk and tribal traditions have shaped all of Indian culture. Art forms like Warli, Gond and Madhubani paintings, festivals that follow the seasons, and many local deities have grown into wider traditions. The great Jagannath temple at Puri has links to the traditions of local tribal communities.

Over thousands of years, the different roots of Indian culture influenced one another, like roots feeding one trunk. Ideas such as respect for nature, non-violence, sharing and learning from many points of view are found across them.

Explore: which root does it come from?

1. Sort each card.

Remember

• Folk and tribal traditions are deep roots of Indian culture, close to nature.
• The many roots influenced each other and nourish one shared culture.

Quick check

Why do sacred groves help nature?

1. Communities protect them, so plants and animals are safe there
2. They are cut down every year
3. They are made of concrete
4. No one ever visits

Think about it

Find out if there is a sacred tree, grove or pond near your home. Why do you think people protect it?

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.