Context:
Jharkhand’s Birhor tribe have joined movement against child marriage for first time.
Birhor Tribe:
- Location – Traditionally nomadic tribe primarily residing in Jharkhand, with some presence in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal.
- Language – Speak the Birhor language
- Their language shares similarities with Santali, Mundari, and Ho languages.
- Economy – Traditionally based on nomadic gathering and hunting
- However, some have transitioned to stable agriculture.
- Socio-Economic Classification – Divided into 2 groups:
- Uthlus: Wandering Birhors.
- Janghis: Settled Birhors.
- Religion – Follow a blend of animism and Hinduism.
- Status – Belongs to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups:
- More vulnerable group among tribal groups in India.
- Criteria for identification of PVTGs –
- Pre-agricultural level of technology
- Low level of literacy
- Economic backwardness
- A declining or stagnant population
- Recommended by – Dhebar Commission
- Current status – 75 tribes listed under PVTGs across 18 states and Union Territories
- State with largest population of PVTGs – Odisha (13 tribes)
- Largest PVTG – Saura community (Odisha) – 2011 Census
Source: DH
Previous Year Question
With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) dance forms of Northwest India
(b) musical instruments
(c) prehistoric cave paintings
(d) tribal languages
Answer: (d)