Tribes & Culture — Set 3

Correct Answer: C. Ol Chiki

The Ol Chiki script is the official script for writing the Santali language, created by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925. The script has 30 letters and is designed specifically for the phonetics of the Santali language. Before Ol Chiki, Santali was written in Devanagari, Bengali, or Roman scripts.

Correct Answer: B. Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act

PESA stands for the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996. It extends the provisions of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment to tribal areas (5th Schedule areas), giving Gram Sabhas special powers over tribal land, resources, and governance. Jharkhand has significant 5th Schedule tribal areas where PESA is applicable.

Correct Answer: C. Gram Sabha

Under the PESA Act 1996, the Gram Sabha has supreme authority over natural resources, minor forest produce, and community matters in scheduled (5th Schedule) areas. This empowers tribal communities to regulate their own affairs without interference. The Gram Sabha's consent is mandatory for land acquisition and displacement of tribal communities.

Correct Answer: B. Administration of tribal areas

The 5th Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes. Large parts of Jharkhand fall under 5th Schedule areas, giving the state special powers over tribal welfare. The Governor has special powers under the 5th Schedule to protect tribal interests.

Correct Answer: B. Recognise forest land rights of tribal people

The Forest Rights Act 2006 (Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Recognition of Forest Rights Act) aims to recognise and vest the forest rights of tribal and other traditional forest dwellers. It addresses historical injustices done to tribal communities by colonial and post-colonial forest laws. In Jharkhand, this act has been crucial for recognising Adivasi claims over forest land.

Correct Answer: B. Long life of children

Jitiya (Jivitputrika Vrat) is a festival where women observe strict fasts without water for the long life and well-being of their children. It falls in the month of Ashwin (September-October) during the Krishna Paksha. The festival is popular among both tribal and non-tribal communities in Jharkhand and Bihar.

Correct Answer: C. Ho

The Ho tribe is historically and culturally associated with the Kolhan region in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. The word 'Kolhan' itself derives from the name of the Kol (Ho) people. The Ho tribe practises a distinct culture with their own language, religious practices, and governance traditions.

Correct Answer: A. Santhal Parganas (Rajmahal Hills)

The Paharia tribe (also called Mal Paharia and Sauria Paharia) mainly inhabits the Rajmahal Hills in the Santhal Parganas division of Jharkhand. They are considered one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India. The Paharias have been relatively isolated and have a distinct cultural and linguistic tradition.

Correct Answer: C. Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)

The Korwa tribe is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) by the Government of India. PVTGs are those tribal groups that have declining or stagnant population, pre-agricultural technology, and very low literacy rates. The Korwa tribe of Jharkhand lives mainly in forest areas of Palamu and Garhwa districts.

Correct Answer: B. Austroasiatic (Munda)

The Kharia tribe speaks the Kharia language, which belongs to the Austroasiatic (Munda) language family. They are found in Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, with significant populations in Jharkhand's Simdega and Ranchi districts. The Kharia are traditionally known for their elaborate religious ceremonies and folk music.