Indian Tribes | Indian GK | School GK | GK Olympiad | General Knowledge MCQs with Answer
India is a land of diversity. People in different regions of the country follow different customs, languages, food habits, and lifestyles. Among them, the tribes of India are very special because they preserve their unique culture and traditions. They live close to nature, celebrate their own festivals, and have their own traditional art, craft, music, and dance.
According to history, many tribes have been living in India for thousands of years. Today, India has more than 700 tribes, spread across different states. Each tribe has its own way of life, but together they form an important part of India’s cultural heritage.
Who are Tribes?
A tribe is a group of people who usually live in forests, hilly regions, or remote villages. They speak their own languages, wear traditional clothes, and follow age-old customs. Unlike city life, tribal life is simple, close to the earth, and full of community spirit.
Tribal people depend mostly on farming, hunting, fishing, or forest products for their livelihood. They respect nature and believe in living in harmony with it.
Major Tribes of India
1. Gond Tribe – Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh
The Gond tribe is one of the largest tribes in India. They are mostly found in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The Gonds are known for their folk dances, music, and Gond paintings, which are now famous across the world.
2. Bhil Tribe – Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh
The Bhils are known as the archery experts of India. They are found mainly in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The Bhil people celebrate the Baneshwar Festival, which is a big cultural event. They are also famous for their wall paintings and folk stories.
3. Santhal Tribe – Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal
The Santhals are mainly found in Jharkhand. They celebrate the Sarhul Festival, which is a festival of flowers and nature. They are great lovers of music and dance, especially using drums like the madal.
4. Munda Tribe – Jharkhand, Odisha
The Munda tribe lives mostly in Jharkhand. They celebrate the Karma Festival, which is dedicated to nature and trees. They are also good farmers and hunters.
5. Oraon Tribe – Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh
The Oraon tribe is found in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. They celebrate Sarhul and Karma festivals. The Oraon people have their own music and dance, performed during harvest and festivals.
6. Kodava Tribe – Karnataka
The Kodava tribe lives in Coorg (Kodagu), Karnataka. They are known as brave warriors and celebrate the Kailpodh Festival, where they worship weapons. They are also famous for their unique coffee-growing culture.
7. Tangkhul and Naga Tribes – Manipur and Nagaland
The Naga tribes are famous for their Hornbill Festival, celebrated in Nagaland. The Tangkhul tribe celebrates the Thisam Phanit Festival in Manipur. They are recognized for their colorful costumes, ornaments, and war dances.
8. Baiga Tribe – Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
The Baiga tribe is known as forest dwellers. They worship nature and believe in healing with natural herbs. They celebrate the Karma Festival with dance and music.
9. Koya Tribe – Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
The Koya tribe celebrates the Medaram Jatara Festival in Telangana, which is one of the largest tribal festivals in Asia. They live near forests and are skilled in farming and hunting.
10. Bhumij and Bhuiyan Tribes – Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal
These tribes also celebrate the Karma Festival and are known for their farming and traditional dances.
Festivals of Indian Tribes
- Sarhul Festival – Celebrated by Munda, Ho, and Oraon tribes in Jharkhand. It welcomes spring and worships nature.
- Kailpodh Festival – Celebrated by the Kodava tribe in Karnataka. They worship their weapons.
- Thisam Phanit Festival – Celebrated by Tangkhul and Naga tribes in Manipur.
- Karma Festival – Celebrated by tribes like Baiga, Oraon, Bhuiyan, and Bhumij in Odisha and Jharkhand. It is dedicated to nature and trees.
- Baneshwar Festival – Celebrated by the Bhil tribe in Rajasthan.
- Medaram Jatara Festival – Celebrated by the Koya tribe in Telangana. It is Asia’s biggest tribal fair.
Life of Tribal People
- Food – Most tribes depend on farming, hunting, and forest products. They eat rice, millets, vegetables, fish, and meat.
- Clothing – Tribal people wear simple clothes, often made from cotton, silk, or wool. They love ornaments made of beads, shells, and metals.
- Houses – Their houses are usually made of mud, bamboo, and thatch. They are eco-friendly and close to nature.
- Art and Music – Tribal paintings like Gond art, Warli art, and Santhal paintings are famous worldwide. Music and dance are part of every tribal festival.
Importance of Indian Tribes
- Tribes protect forests and nature.
- They keep alive the old traditions, dances, and music of India.
- Their festivals and fairs add to the culture of India.
- Tribal art and craft are now admired internationally.
Conclusion
The Indian tribes are a treasure of culture, traditions, and knowledge. From the Gonds and Bhils of Central India to the Nagas of the North-East and the Koyas of South India, every tribe has its own story. Their simple lifestyle, respect for nature, and colorful festivals make them special.
By learning about them, we understand the beauty of diversity in our country. As students, we should respect and preserve the rich heritage of India’s tribal communities.
MCQs: Indian Tribes
- The Sarhul Festival is celebrated in which state?
a) Rajasthan
b) Odisha
c) Jharkhand
d) Karnataka - The Kailpodh Festival belongs to which state?
a) Karnataka
b) Rajasthan
c) Manipur
d) Telangana - The Thisam Phanit Festival is celebrated in:
a) Jharkhand
b) Manipur
c) Odisha
d) Rajasthan - The Karma Festival is associated with which state?
a) Odisha
b) Karnataka
c) Telangana
d) Jharkhand - The Baneshwar Festival is held in:
a) Rajasthan
b) Odisha
c) Karnataka
d) Manipur - The Medaram Jatara Festival is celebrated in:
a) Manipur
b) Odisha
c) Telangana
d) Rajasthan - The Koya Tribe celebrates which festival?
a) Baneshwar Festival
b) Medaram Jatara Festival
c) Kailpodh Festival
d) Karma Festival - The Bhil Tribes celebrate:
a) Sarhul Festival
b) Baneshwar Festival
c) Karma Festival
d) Thisam Phanit Festival - The Munda, Ho and Oraon Tribes are connected with:
a) Karma Festival
b) Kailpodh Festival
c) Sarhul Festival
d) Thisam Phanit Festival - The Kodava Tribe is associated with:
a) Kailpodh Festival
b) Sarhul Festival
c) Baneshwar Festival
d) Medaram Jatara - The Tangkhul and Naga Tribes celebrate:
a) Thisam Phanit Festival
b) Baneshwar Festival
c) Karma Festival
d) Medaram Jatara - The Baiga, Oraon, Bhuiyan, Binhwar and Bhumij Tribes celebrate:
a) Medaram Jatara
b) Karma Festival
c) Kailpodh Festival
d) Baneshwar Festival - The Baneshwar Festival is mainly celebrated by:
a) Bhil Tribes
b) Munda Tribes
c) Koya Tribes
d) Tangkhul Tribes - Which festival is celebrated in Odisha?
a) Karma Festival
b) Sarhul Festival
c) Thisam Phanit Festival
d) Baneshwar Festival - Which state celebrates the Medaram Jatara Festival?
a) Jharkhand
b) Karnataka
c) Telangana
d) Rajasthan - The Sarhul Festival is celebrated by:
a) Munda, Ho and Oraon Tribes
b) Bhil Tribes
c) Kodava Tribe
d) Koya Tribe - The Kailpodh Festival is celebrated by:
a) Bhil Tribes
b) Kodava Tribe
c) Naga Tribes
d) Oraon Tribes - The Thisam Phanit Festival is associated with which tribes?
a) Tangkhul and Naga Tribes
b) Kodava Tribe
c) Bhil Tribes
d) Koya Tribe - The Karma Festival is celebrated by:
a) Baiga, Oraon, Bhuiyan, Binhwar and Bhumij Tribes
b) Kodava Tribe
c) Koya Tribe
d) Tangkhul Tribes - Which of these festivals belongs to Rajasthan?
a) Baneshwar Festival
b) Sarhul Festival
c) Karma Festival
d) Medaram Jatara
Answers
- c) Jharkhand
- a) Karnataka
- b) Manipur
- a) Odisha
- a) Rajasthan
- c) Telangana
- b) Medaram Jatara Festival
- b) Baneshwar Festival
- c) Sarhul Festival
- a) Kailpodh Festival
- a) Thisam Phanit Festival
- b) Karma Festival
- a) Bhil Tribes
- a) Karma Festival
- c) Telangana
- a) Munda, Ho and Oraon Tribes
- b) Kodava Tribe
- a) Tangkhul and Naga Tribes
- a) Baiga, Oraon, Bhuiyan, Binhwar and Bhumij Tribes
- a) Baneshwar Festival
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MCQs: Indian Tribes
- The Sarhul Festival is celebrated in which state?
a) Rajasthan
b) Odisha
c) Jharkhand
d) Karnataka - The Kailpodh Festival belongs to which state?
a) Karnataka
b) Rajasthan
c) Manipur
d) Telangana - The Thisam Phanit Festival is celebrated in:
a) Jharkhand
b) Manipur
c) Odisha
d) Rajasthan - The Karma Festival is associated with which state?
a) Odisha
b) Karnataka
c) Telangana
d) Jharkhand - The Baneshwar Festival is held in:
a) Rajasthan
b) Odisha
c) Karnataka
d) Manipur - The Medaram Jatara Festival is celebrated in:
a) Manipur
b) Odisha
c) Telangana
d) Rajasthan - The Koya Tribe celebrates which festival?
a) Baneshwar Festival
b) Medaram Jatara Festival
c) Kailpodh Festival
d) Karma Festival - The Bhil Tribes celebrate:
a) Sarhul Festival
b) Baneshwar Festival
c) Karma Festival
d) Thisam Phanit Festival - The Munda, Ho and Oraon Tribes are connected with:
a) Karma Festival
b) Kailpodh Festival
c) Sarhul Festival
d) Thisam Phanit Festival - The Kodava Tribe is associated with:
a) Kailpodh Festival
b) Sarhul Festival
c) Baneshwar Festival
d) Medaram Jatara - The Tangkhul and Naga Tribes celebrate:
a) Thisam Phanit Festival
b) Baneshwar Festival
c) Karma Festival
d) Medaram Jatara - The Baiga, Oraon, Bhuiyan, Binhwar and Bhumij Tribes celebrate:
a) Medaram Jatara
b) Karma Festival
c) Kailpodh Festival
d) Baneshwar Festival - The Baneshwar Festival is mainly celebrated by:
a) Bhil Tribes
b) Munda Tribes
c) Koya Tribes
d) Tangkhul Tribes - Which festival is celebrated in Odisha?
a) Karma Festival
b) Sarhul Festival
c) Thisam Phanit Festival
d) Baneshwar Festival - Which state celebrates the Medaram Jatara Festival?
a) Jharkhand
b) Karnataka
c) Telangana
d) Rajasthan - The Sarhul Festival is celebrated by:
a) Munda, Ho and Oraon Tribes
b) Bhil Tribes
c) Kodava Tribe
d) Koya Tribe - The Kailpodh Festival is celebrated by:
a) Bhil Tribes
b) Kodava Tribe
c) Naga Tribes
d) Oraon Tribes - The Thisam Phanit Festival is associated with which tribes?
a) Tangkhul and Naga Tribes
b) Kodava Tribe
c) Bhil Tribes
d) Koya Tribe - The Karma Festival is celebrated by:
a) Baiga, Oraon, Bhuiyan, Binhwar and Bhumij Tribes
b) Kodava Tribe
c) Koya Tribe
d) Tangkhul Tribes - Which of these festivals belongs to Rajasthan?
a) Baneshwar Festival
b) Sarhul Festival
c) Karma Festival
d) Medaram Jatara
Answers
- c) Jharkhand
- a) Karnataka
- b) Manipur
- a) Odisha
- a) Rajasthan
- c) Telangana
- b) Medaram Jatara Festival
- b) Baneshwar Festival
- c) Sarhul Festival
- a) Kailpodh Festival
- a) Thisam Phanit Festival
- b) Karma Festival
- a) Bhil Tribes
- a) Karma Festival
- c) Telangana
- a) Munda, Ho and Oraon Tribes
- b) Kodava Tribe
- a) Tangkhul and Naga Tribes
- a) Baiga, Oraon, Bhuiyan, Binhwar and Bhumij Tribes
- a) Baneshwar Festival
