political organization among tribes

Political Organization
(General Article)
In India 41 (7.5%) out of the 545 members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha elections in
1999 belong to tribal groups and members of the Legislative assemblies in 1999 were
13.2% (536 out of 4072).
Tribal groups of India are influenced by Panchayati raj system (decentralization of power
to the village level), but almost every tribal group has maintained its political
organization (panchayat) so far.
North and central Indian tribes are living with Hindu culture based society, whereas south
Indian and northeastern tribes have been influenced by Christianity, which has affected
their political organization.
Northeastern states based tribes recognize the group ownership of land. Personal rights
are rare. After having various types of economic status of a village family, this
community makes them equal. Khasi are divided into 20 political states but Siyam is the
supreme authority among them all. Siyam has no right to acquire any community land or
forest produce. The panchayat takes decision in all disputes. The chief of Lushai tribe has
more rights (his position is heredity). He takes decision in all disputes and his verdict is
applicable to all. Garo, another tribe of northeastern states is free from chief pattern. A
council of elders (Achom Asar) gives their decision in all disputes. Pinpo (a person from
nine of the lineage) elects Haib (a higher ranking officer of the Panchayat) and Haib
chooses Achom Asar.
A chief also governs Naga tribe. He holds full rights on the village. He is considered as a
noble man whose decision cannot be denied by any person.
Angami Naga is divided into Khel or tepku (a group of some exogamous families) and
their chief looks after their problems and disputes.
Oranav of Bihar has developed Parha mandal (a political organization of some villages).
The chief lives in the Raja Gram (king village) and hears all disputes by the kotwal gram
(police village). Paneer gram (clerk village) writes the complaints and keeps records of
them. Diwan gram (advisory village) gives suggestion to the king village. Parha
organization is very effective in north India.
Malere and Santhal of north India are governed by Majhi (chief of their political
organization). Majhi takes decision in every dispute with the help of elders. Majhi is
accompanied Paranik (assistant) who helps him in civil matters.
Munda tribe (central India) has a patti (council of 20 villages), which is headed by Munda
or Pahan (chief). It is a hierarchical post. Gond elects Moi or Patel or Mandal (village
chief). Moi helps the council of elders in any dispute. Maria of central India elects a
priest as the head of their political organization.
In Nicobari tribe, twenty Tuhaits (one Tuhait is a group of 15 families) elect it chief. The
chief decides the hunting programme and takes decision in every local problem.
Allar and Arandar tribes of south India are free from the chief pattern. The elders take
decision in every dispute.
Among Adiyar of the state of Kerala, the post of the chief is hereditary, but in the
absence of a son, the post goes to the nephew. He handles all marriage and funeral
disputes.
Dhankut of Uttar Pradesh are governed by their traditional panchayat (a council of 5 to 7
members). It hears all marriage disputes specially divorce cases. Hukka pani (debarment
from the society) is banned, if one refuses to uphold the decision of the society. The
panchayat provides financial assistance in the marriage and death ceremony if the
concerned family is poor.