Adivasi Diwas is celebrated in India annually on August 9. The day celebrates all the different tribal groups across India. It is also recognised as the UN’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. The day is also celebrated as World Tribal Day. 

The day seeks to recognise the challenges these people face and honour their perseverance and struggle for improvement. 

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History

In December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples should be observed on August 9th each year. 

Adi means old or early and Vasi means resident. Divas mean a day or an event. Adivasi Diwas means a day of the ancient people. Adivasis are the indigenous tribes of India. People from these tribes live as forages or as tribalistic sedentary communities. 

Many present-day Adivasi communities were formed after the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The Adivasis are considered socially and economically backward. The Adivasi communities often enjoyed autonomy and evolved from mixed hunter-gatherer and farming economies in ancient and medieval India. 

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The colonial administration also encroached upon the tribal system, which led to the tribes resenting and rebelling against the British. Forests and farmlands belonging to the tribes were taken by the British and taxes were imposed on them. The tribes were coerced into bonded labour because they were unable to pay the taxes.

Significance

The day celebrates the contribution of the Adivasi groups. It also brings awareness that Adivasis continue to be the least educated and poor communities in the country. The day also works as an awareness campaign that further help is needed to uplift the tribal community. 

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Along with the development goals for the Adivasis, it also celebrates their rich heritage and culture which they have been able to preserve through centuries despite being opposed in the past.

According to the 2011 census, Adivasis make up 8.6% of India’s population or 104 million people.