Religion among tribes

Religion
(General Article)
6.78 million tribal people (8.08% of the total Indian population) are living in different
religious ways. 59 types of religious beliefs exist among them. 89.39% are Hindus,
whereas 5.53% have adopted Christianity, 0.89% Buddhism, 0.34% Islam, 0.21%
Jainism and 0.34% have adopted Sikhism (a part of Hinduism). 4.19% believe in tribal
religion (no acculturation is visible among them). 99% tribal groups of Rajasthan,
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and central India states
are Hindus. 90% Hindu tribal groups are living in the state of Orissa, West Bengal and
Kerala. Bihar and northeastern part of the Himalayan region is abound with Hindu tribal
groups.
Christianity is found in tribal India in a different ratio. 46.88% of the total tribal
population of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram (states of northeast India) are
Christians. 4.75% of the tribal population of Kerala and 74.3% of tribal population of
Andaman Islands are Christian.
Buddhism is found among the tribal population (0.89%) of the states of Assam, Tripura,
West Bengal and some parts of Himanchal Pradesh. Islam is spread in all the tribal
groups of Lakshadeep Islands, 3.4 % in Himanchal Pradesh. 2.75 % in West Bengal and
0.9% in Maharashtra.
Inspite of all these facts al tribal groups have some special religious activities that
differentiate them from others.
Animism
Faith in the existence of the soul is the prime factor of the tribes. After the occurrence of
any death, the soul of the dead person takes the place of spirit that protects the tribe and
their cattle. Benevolent and malevolent spirit, parental and protector souls are the main
categories of animism (study of souls).
Ho, Uranav, Munda, Savara, Gadaba and Toda tribal groups celebrate death ceremony
twice – one at the time of cremation and the other is connected with the farewell of soul
(green ritual).
Tribes believe that souls regulate their life style (Benevolent protector and forefather
souls), whereas malevolent souls give some difficulty. Worship and sacrifice rituals are
very common among them.
Bongaism
Bonga is believed to be an invisible power that comes through an object (radio, airplane,
train, etc.). Ho and Munda of Bihar worship Bonga (protects cattle and plants, connected
to the growth of plants, responsible for rainstorms, summers and springs, and destroys all
difficulties). The human eyes never see Bonga.
Like Bonga other north Indian tribes have faith in Mana (similar to Bonga). Malere of the
state of Bihar call it as Gosai (it protects the tribe), and it is known as Beer among the
Birhore of Bihar. Hanuman Beer (a Hindu god, but not exactly the same among the
Birhore), Hander Beer, Bagh (tiger) Beer, Bhal (bear) beer, etc. Beer protects them
during hunting, pregnancy, etc. Bheru (another name of Mana in western India –
especially Rajasthan) – Bheru (a stone with vermilion) is worshipped by them for their
welfare.
Naturalism
Many tribal groups worship nature in different forms. Ho, Munda, Birhore and Malere of
Bihar worship Singhbonga (Sun). The Santhal tribe of Bihar worships Dharmesh (Sun).
Bhumiz (Bihar), Bondo and Saora (Orrisa) worship Sun, whereas juang of Orrisa worship
the earth as mother. Khond worship U-Uangsum (Sun) and Angayboi (moon). Maria of
north India worships the earth as goddess. Muria and Abhuj maria of central India
worship earth as Goddess. Garo of northeastern state and all tribes of Arunanchal Pradesh
worship Sun and moon as their main gods.
Toda and Koya of Tamil Nadu, Muthuvan, Urali and Kannikar of Kerala worship Sun as
their prime god.
Toteism
Totem (name of a plant or animal, which is worshipped and they do not kill it), protects
them and has a sacred place in their lives. 63% tribal groups of India have different
totems (especially plants and animals) which exist in their surrounding living area.
Taboo
Taboo protects the religious tribal place and checks non-religious activities. Bonga or
Mana influences the sacredness of their religion. No tribal breaks these taboos.
Magic
North and south Indian tribal groups carry out many magical activities to please their
respective gods like rain god, forest god, hunting god, crop or harvest god, etc. 38%
tribes are engaged in magical-religious activities.
Ancestral worship
Every tribal group worships their ancestors, believing them to be gods. Ancestral worship
is connected with the economy and protection of the tribe from difficulties. Tribes believe
that if they do not worship their ancestors, he/she will come in their dreams and put
difficulties in their life. Mithun festival by the Naga tribe of northeast and the farewell
festival by the Mizo of Mizoram are done to carry out ancestral worship. Garo worship
their ancestors for rebirth, Jayantia for diseases and Khasi for the productivity of the clan
and crop.
Tharu of Uttar Pradesh, Khasa of Uttaranchal and all tribes of central and western India
worship their ancestors as equivalent to Gods, who convey their messages to God for
their welfare. Eastern and south Indian tribes worship their ancestors for avoiding natural
calamities like floods, storms, epidemics, etc.
In all ancestral worship, sacrifice is carried out.
Polytheism
Indian tribes are polytheist. One god protects the fields and crops, another protects
abodes, and another protects the family, relatives, clan, lineage, etc. Numerous gods exist
among the tribe like mountain god, water god, forest god, river god, Sun, moon, earth
goddess, etc. 182 gods and goddesses exist among the Indian tribes.
In central, north and western Indian tribes worship Lord Shiva (the chief god of Hindus),
Rama, Krishna, Vishnu (Hindu gods) and Durga, Parvati (Hindu goddesses). Lord Shiva
is also worshipped among the eastern and southern Indian tribes to some extent.