Social Science Short note .[3 Marks Each]

Shifting agriculture is done in densely forested region. It is cultivated by clearing the

• land by cutting down or burning forest trees. After two-three years, when the fertility of the soil decreases, they leave the area and move to another area and cultivate in the same manner.
• This method is called 'Shifting Agriculture'. Most of the crops and vegetables are grown here. This farming reduces the production per hectare.

With the change in the economy of the tribes as well as the needs of the society, the need for people with new art and skills arose.

• As a result, society was divided into different tribes. On the other hand, many tribes and social groups were included in caste-based society and given status of caste'. Those castes are mainly communities having special skills. Now caste has become the basis of organisation of society instead of Varana (race).

The Adivasi community differs from the other communities in some respects, while in some cultural matters their beliefs are similar to those of other communities.

• The livelihood of the tribal (Adivasi) community depended on hunting, collected forest products, local agriculture, animal husbandry and the things produced by their art and skills.
• The tribal people living in different parts of Gujarat have created a special identity through their attire and ornaments. In North Gujarat, men used to wear dhoti, shirt and faliyu, while in the Eastern belt of Gujarat
• (Dang), men wore black buniyaan and short dhoti. In the South Gujarat men wore dhoti.
• pyjama and paheran. Women wore zuladi in North Gujarat. In the present times, most of the tribal communities have adopted the same dress as the main stream.
• They wear their traditional attire only during their special festivals. At that time their dances and performances attract all.
• The major identity of the Adivasi community is found in their distinctive traditions, dialects and festivals. The Adivasi community has been a lover and preserver of nature.
• They have faith in elements of nature and various forms of Gods and Goddesses. They perform various rituals to please them. In every tribe, there is a Panch of their society.
• They work to maintain their tradition. Tribal society has changed due to various schemes of the government, spread of education and technological development.
• The change is found in their permanent houses in place of huts, facilities of education, modern attire, social consciousness, etc.

Adivasi groups (Tribal castes) of India are known as 'Scheduled Tribes'. The meaning of Adivasi word is Adi means from olden times' and Vasi means 'inhabitant. The relation of our old culture is associated with this name only. The various festivals, customs, food, dress, dialects, pictures, music, dances, etc. of the Adivasi create their distinctive identity.

• The members of each tribe were connected with one another, by tribal (Kabilas) (Family and kinship) practice.
• They earned their livelihood as hunters, pastoralists and farming. Forests and nature were the factors most affecting

their lives. Their houses were made up of natural resources. The tribal people had joint rights over land and land produce.

• So they distributed land produce among all the families according to the rules they had made.
• They lived in community. So the principle of community living prevailed in their economy as well.
• There was social cquality in all the tribal communities. Tribes generally lived in forests, mountains, deserts and inaccessible places.
• Tribes sometimes clashed with the rulers, yet the tribes preserved their independence and culture.
• All the tribes were dependent on each other for their needs. Due to this interdependence, these tribes changed gradually.
• Written documents about tribal information are not available. The tribal people protected their own rich customs and oral traditions and passed them on to the new generation. Historians use these oral traditions to write the history
• of the tribes.