101. Glimpses of Tribal Religion in India.
- Author
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Burman, J. J. Roy
- Subjects
- *
TRIBES , *RELIGIONS , *HINDUISM , *HINDUS - Abstract
The study of tribal religion has drawn the interest of anthropologists for quite a long time so as to locate their place in the context of Indian civilization. The matter has drawn keen interest even among the laity of late as tribals in many areas of the country surprisingly have been involved in the anti Muslim carnages. Even in the Christian pockets or North-East tribals have been found allying with the Hindu parties like the BJP. A closer look, however, shows that tribals have by and large evolved syncretic religions and in spite of assimilating elements of Hinduism and Christianity, have retained their distinct tribal identities. Their clan totems indicate a cosmic orientation to life in contrast to the anthropomorphic world view of the caste-Hindus. In spite of the spread of Hindutva elements in tribal areas, signs of religious revivalism are eminent as corroborated by the census figures. These trends have been briefly discussed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2004