INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF SOUTH ASIA – THE CONTEXT

Indigenous People A contemporary working definition of "indigenous people" for certain purposes has criteria which would seek to include cultural groups (and their continuity or association with a given region, or parts of a region, and who formerly or currently inhabit the region ) either before its subsequent colonization or annexation; or alongside other cultural groups during the formation of a nation-state; or independently or largely isolated from the influence of the claimed governance by a nation-state

Indigenous People For the purpose of this presentation, the indigenous people mean: Tribal and Dalits who are in South Asia

Who are they? Preserved the rich biodiversity of the land, both the land and the forest Lived in the forest or close to nature and lived on the produce of the forest Helped to regenerate the forest by protecting them

Who are they? Made a sizable contribution to the agricultural economy through labor and allied trade Took care of Domestic Works of the Dominant caste Took up menial works like burying the dead, digging the graves and manual scavenging.

Who are they? Gender equality Women have more freedom Greater participation of women in the day to day life of the community Greater respect for girl child Absence of female infanticide

Who are they Original inhabitants of the land and owned the land Preserved the rich cultural heritage of the land. Diversity of language, culture and ethnicity

Problems Though contributed to the agricultural economy, had little of ownership of land Though their wealth was taken away through mining and other means, they benefitted little Shared responsibility of labor, had little of rights Development at their cost, without any benefit to them

Problems

Problems Used as vote bank. Limited political bargaining power Though have reservation, and get elected, have little respect among the dominant caste Subject to political violence Little opportunities in government jobs, though they have reservation

Problems

Problems Little educated Poor health High infant and maternal mortality Malnourished Deprived of food

Problems

Problems

Problems In the name of development, more and more deprived Victims of state and Corporate sponsored terrorism In the global economy, new cultures negating subaltern cultures leading to trafficking, migration

Problems Victims of communalism Not free to practice the religion of their choice by political forces and vested interests A divided people because of poverty and marginalization