On the Future of Indigenous Traditions - Munin

Definitions:
- Adivasi
The term Adivasi is a Hindi word that comes from Sanskrit language. It is a
combination of two words, Adi -which means first or the early, and vasi – meaning
dwellers or settlers or inhabitants. Together it means the first settlers, or early
inhabitants or early dwellers. This term is commonly used for groups otherwise
categorized as “scheduled tribes” in the constitution of India. However, the Hindi
term is “Anusuchit-Jana-Jati”. Anusuchit meaning scheduled, Jana means people and
Jati, race or races, initially termed as Ban Jati, meaning forest races. Interestingly
both of these terms used in either English or Hindi earlier and later as well does not
have the same meaning as Adivasi.
- Customary Law and Customary System
The term customs, customary system and customary law in this thesis is used in
reference to those social norms and codes accepted and practices among the Adivasi
communities as a part of their tradition. These customary systems and law includes
the social norms which extend to regulate the whole community system including the
livelihood resources they use for their subsistence.
Elaboration and Importance of the Problem:
The customary laws of the Adivasi groups in the Jharkhand region are used for the
governance and management of their resources. As of today it is weakening and their
community is disintegrating. The state’s administrative system with new laws in the
course of their history has taken over the role of management of their resources and
governance.
Adivasis have some basic distinctiveness within their socio-cultural orientation which
gives them a collective approach and a wholistic view of life around them. The
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