• Source:JND
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World Tribal Day 2023: India is a country with diversity in culture, traditions, caste and creed. Every year, August 9 is celebrated as World Tribal Day to promote and protect the rights of the indigenous population and acknowledge their contributions and achievements in making the world a better place to live. Also known as World Indigenous Day or International Day of World's Indigenous People, this is an ideal opportunity to put efforts to protect the basic rights of the tribal community across the world.

World Tribal Day 2023: History

The history of World Tribal Day of Adivasi Diwas dates back to the year 1982 when the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations took place. In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly established World Indigenous Day to be celebrated on August 9 every year. The date August 9 was chosen in accordance with the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations that was held in Geneva.

World Tribal Day 2023: Significance

In India, according to Census Report 2011, tribes constitute about 8.6% of the population or about 104 million tribal individuals. These groups of tribes are the inhabitants of the Khargone, Dhar, Jhabua, and Ratlam communities of Madhya Pradesh. Bhil is the largest tribe in India known to be the main tribal inhabitants of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh. With such a vast population of tribal communities in India, a day like World Tribal Day holds great significance to establish equality.

World Tribal Day 2023: Theme

The theme for World Tribal Day 2023 is “Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination.”

World Tribal Day 2023: Facts About Tribal Communities In India

Tribal people in India are called ‘Adivasi’ which is an umbrella term for a heterogeneous set of ethnic and tribal groups considered the aboriginal population of India.

Tribal peoples constitute 8.6 per cent of India’s total population, about 104 million people according to the 2011 census.

The largest tribes are found in central India, although the tribal population there accounts for only around 10 per cent of the region's total population.

According to government data, there are some 573 communities recognized by the government as Scheduled Tribes and therefore eligible to receive special benefits and to compete for reserved seats in legislatures and schools.

The Indian constitution includes articles that called for special treatment to be granted to Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.