Aboriginal Tribes Of India And Pakistan

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Aboriginal Tribes Of India And Pakistan

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

A historical anthropological study by Hawabai Mustafa Shah exploring the Bhils and Kolhis of India and Pakistan. This early ethnographic record details their origins, family life, customs, folklore, and belief systems, offering a humanistic perspective on indigenous communities during the colonial era.

Summary up to 500 words

In 'Aboriginal Tribes Of India And Pakistan,' Hawabai Mustafa Shah presents a profound ethnographic study of the Bhils and Kolhis, challenging the prejudiced colonial narratives that labeled these indigenous peoples as 'primitive' or 'squalid.' Originally a thesis completed in 1942-43, the work was published posthumously by her husband, Sayid Ghulam Mustafa Shah, serving as both an academic record and a humanistic defense of these communities. Shah argues that the Bhils and Kolhis possess a rich cultural heritage, an unwavering commitment to truthfulness, and a deep connection to nature that modern civilization has often lost. The text meticulously explores their ancestry, cosmology, religion, and social structures, highlighting their fatalistic views on fate and unique creation myths involving a giant man, seven sisters, and a snake supporting the earth. Shah critically examines the corrosive impact of 'civilization,' money-lenders, and religious intermediaries known as 'Bhagats' on these communities. She notes a paradox where education can sometimes erode traditional values, as the uneducated Bhil speaks the truth regardless of consequences, while the 'polished' Bhil may use knowledge to distort facts for self-preservation. The narrative is enriched by extensive folklore, including fables featuring cunning foxes, wise fish, and trickster snakes, which reflect the tribes' worldview and resilience. Through vivid descriptions of festivals, rituals, and daily life, the book provides a spectrum of the Bhil and Kolhi experience, emphasizing the profound void left by the dispossession of their lands. Ultimately, the work advocates for understanding these cultures on their own terms, rejecting condescending labels while highlighting the enduring wisdom found in their traditions. Shah contends that while present-day civilization offers material amenities, it has deprived humanity of simplicity, free expression, and mutual goodwill, urging readers to borrow from the aboriginals' greater treasures of simplicity and ethical integrity.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Ethnography
• Anthropology