Tribes & Their Homelands | Famous Books for UPSC Exam (Summary & Tests) PDF Download

Pygmy: The Forest Dwellers

The Pygmies, known as Achna, are a remarkable subgroup with four distinct sub-castes: Mabuti, Twa, Viroga, and Gossera. Inhabiting the lush rainforests of the Congo Basin, Gabon, Uganda, Southeast Asia's Philippine forests, Ameta's woods, and New Guinea's jungles, the Pygmies have crafted makeshift beehive-like shelters. Standing between 1.33 and 1.49 meters tall, they are known for their shorter stature, with their lives centered around the bounties of the forest.

Boro: Hunters of the Amazon

In the western Amazon basin, where the borders of Brazil, Peru, and Colombia meet, the Boro tribe thrives as skilled hunter-gatherers. With brown skin and medium-length straight hair, the Boro people have mastered survival in the lush wilderness.

Sakai: The Forest Agriculturists

The Sakai tribes reside in the forested regions of the Malay Peninsula, boasting clear complexions, long statures, and slender physiques. Agriculture, horticulture, and hunting are their primary activities, and they employ blowpipes for their hunting endeavors.

Semang: Nomads of the Mountains

Found in the mountainous areas of the Malay Peninsula, the Andaman Islands, the Philippines, and Central Africa, the Semang people are members of the Negroid race. Their sustenance relies heavily on the forest's resources, and the yam serves as their primary source of nutrition.

Papuan: Wild and Agricultural

Resembling the Pygmies, the Papuan tribes inhabit Papua New Guinea in the western Pacific Ocean. Their primary livelihood comes from agriculture, but they are renowned for their hazardous and irrational nature.

Bushmen: The Desert Dwellers

In South Africa's Kalahari desert, the Bushmen, also known as the Habshi tribe, have made their home. With black skin and strikingly large eyes, they have adapted to their desert surroundings, even consuming termites, aptly named "Bushmen's rice."

Bedouin: Wanderers of the Deserts

The Bedouin tribes, particularly the Negrito subgroup, reside in the vast deserts of the Hamad and Nafad in northern Arabia. Skilled in raising camels, sheep, and goats, they live in tents and wrap scarves around their heads.

Masai: Nomadic Herders of the Plateaus

The Masai people are nomadic herders who traverse the plateaus of Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. A blend of the Mediterranean and Negroid races, they hold cows sacred, and their religious leaders are known as "Laibon."

Kyrgyz: Cattlemen of Central Asia

The Kyrgyz tribe thrives on the Pamir plateau of Kyrgyzstan and the Tianshan Mountains in Central Asia. Revered as itinerant cattlemen, they produce Kumis, a sour wine made from milk.

Eskimo: Masters of the Arctic

Eskimo people, belonging to the Mongoloid race, inhabit the tundra regions from Alaska to Greenland in North America. Hunting serves as their primary source of sustenance, and they have a close bond with reindeer.

Samoyeds: The Siberian Hunters

Originating from western Siberia's Tundra region, the Samoyeds engage in hunting and livestock husbandry. Their existence is characterized by a nomadic lifestyle.

Kazak: The Turkish-Speaking Nomads

Belonging to the Mongolid race, the Kazakhs are Turkish-speaking itinerant cattlemen, traversing the landscapes of Central Asia.

Maya: The Agrarian Indigenous

The Maya tribe is predominantly composed of indigenous peoples residing in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. Engaged in agrarian practices, they hold a rich history and vibrant culture.

Afridi: The Fierce Warriors

In Pakistan, the Afridi tribe, a caste of Pashtuns, dwell from Safed Koh to Peshawar. Known for their fighting prowess, they are regarded as great warriors and heroes.

Yupik: The Arctic Inhabitants

The Yupik tribes find their home in the western regions of Alaska and eastern Russia, surviving in harsh Arctic conditions.

Endangered Tribes: Fading Heritage

As we celebrate the diversity of tribes worldwide, we must not overlook the plight of endangered tribes. These unique communities face challenges that threaten their very existence. Among them are the Hadza, Kung, Apache, Yanomami, Yukaghir, Chukchi, Onge, Sentinelese, Accra, and others. Preserving their cultures and habitats is of paramount importance for the global community.