A Study on the Life style, Livelihood and Traditional Practices of Tribal Communities from a Tribal Dominated Village of Karnataka

Abstract

The scheduled Tribe population represents one of the most economically disadvantaged and marginalised group in India. For tribal people land is important source of livelihood. During the ancient period the Indigenous people depend on forest resources for their livelihood. Industrialisation, intervention of out siders and rise of population became major threats for the tribal communities. It compelled the tribal inhabitants to look for other alternatives. In the initial days this people depend agriculture for their livelihood but the small land holdings, size and traditional technology failed to meet the rising needs of the villagers. Now the people are travelling long distance for collecting fire wood and drinking water. The emergence of new industries, and new policies will adversely affected the tribal people. Exploitation from outsiders play an important role in the worse situation of the people. Poverty and illiteracy is another important curse of this people .People had been collecting forest resources without causing any damage to it. Most of the money entrusted for tribal's were all misused and diverted by the officials and it became no use for the tribal people. The present study tried to explore the traditional pattern of livelihoods and their changing scenario in a tribal dominated village of Karnataka.