Why in news?
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs plans to release a translated collection of Bhil folk tales on its “Adi Vaani” portal. The e‑book will showcase the community’s oral traditions on themes such as caste, love and social justice.
Who are the Bhils?
- Ancient community: Among India’s oldest tribal groups, the Bhils are believed to belong to the Austroloid group and share affinities with Dravidian racial stocks. Their name derives from the Dravidian word billu/villu meaning “bow”, reflecting their traditional skill as archers.
- Habitat: They are concentrated in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and parts of Bihar, with smaller populations in Tripura, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
Historical context
- Ancient references: Bhil characters appear in epics such as the Ramayana (through the story of Shabari) and the Mahabharata (through Eklavya). Some traditions link them to Harappan settlers.
- Medieval resistance: The Bhils fought guerrilla wars against Rajput, Mughal and Maratha rulers to protect their lands.
- Colonial oppression: Under the British Criminal Tribes Act 1871 they were labelled a “criminal tribe”, leading to taxation, bonded labour and displacement. Uprisings such as the Bhagat Movement (1883) led by Govind Guru and the Eki Andolan (1920) challenged colonial policies.
Cultural features
- Social organisation: Bhil villages revolve around deities such as Gramdev, Kuldev and Kuldevi. Decisions are often collective and patriarchal but community‑centred.
- Oral traditions: The Bhils preserve folk tales, theatre and songs, often accompanied by flutes and drums. Festivals involve music, dance and all‑night gatherings.
- Religious syncretism: They worship natural and local deities like Baba Dev, Bhilat Dev and serpent gods, alongside Shiva and Durga. Mythology connects them to Valmiki’s hermitage and Shabari’s offering to Rama.
Adi Vaani initiative
Adi Vaani is a translation platform developed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It translates between tribal languages and Hindi/English, supporting languages such as Gondi, Bhili, Mundari and Santali. The platform aims to preserve linguistic diversity and make tribal knowledge accessible.