ETHNOBOTANY

Introduction:
People from all culture have always depended on plants for their primary needs
viz. food, shelter, cloth, medicine etc., and have naturally learned diverse
application of plants. In the coarse of nomadic roaming, this knowledge was
exchanged with neighboring tribes, friends and foe, and was gradually expanded
upon. Thus plant knowledge has been passed around the world since the beginning
of time, and frequently, the actual plants themselves have spread along as well. the
investigation of plants and their uses is one of the most primary human concerns
and has been practiced by all cultures since generations, though it was not called
‘Ethnobotany’.
The term ‘ETHNOBOTANY” was coined by US botanist John William
Harshberger in 1895. Ethnobotany is coined with two terms, i.e., “ethno” –study of
people and “botany” –study of plants; per se it is the study of the relationship
between plants and people. It is considered as a branch of Ethnobiology and it is a
multidisciplinary science defined as a the interaction between plant and people.
The relationship between plants and human cultures is not limited to the use of
plant for food, clothing and shelter but also includes their use for religious
ceremonies, ornamentation and health care (Schultes, 1992).
the focus of Ethnobotany is on how plants have been or are used, managed and
perceived in human societies and includes plants used for food, medicine,
divination, cosmetics, dying, textiles, for building, tools, currency, clothing, ritual,
social life and music. the relationship between people and plants has always been
profoundly important. plants play an important role in every aspect of our live and
without them life is not possible. Plants not only regulate the concentration of
gases in the air, but also the only organism capable of transforming sunlight into
food energy on which other forms of life depend upon. Given their extensive
range of knowledge of medicinal plants, indigenous people the ultimate resource
for retrieving this information for the purpose of application, particularly in
modern medicine.
Ethnobotany can be categorized in two major groups-
First is basic Ethnobotany that includes compilation and organization of
information about biota obtained from indigenous and other peoples, such as
obtaining data about useful plants and animals, understanding how peoples manage
their environments and learning about their lexicons and classifications. These
results are then organized in many ways once species determinations are
completed. they may be basic quantitative and experimental botany includes basic
documentation, quantitative evaluation of use and management and experimental
assessment.
The Kolli Hills region of the Eastern Ghats is a biodiversity-rich area with a
number of species reportedly used as treatment for poisonous animal bites and
stings.

The Irula people of Tamil Nadu are found in the Javadhu hills region of the Eastern
Ghats. At least 57 medicinal plants species are used by the Irulas for medicinal
purposes.
The Toda people of the Nilgiri sub range (Tamil Nadu) create traditional huts out
of bamboo and rattan. The Toda use liverworts in the treatment of skin infections,
including Marchantia and Lunularia species.

The Dzüko Valley on the border of Nagaland and Manipur.

 Rainforest ecosystem in Assam (at the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary)

A euphorb plant venerated in the worship of Shiva (state of Assam). This plant is considered
holy by the Boro people, the largest scheduled tribe of NER.
The Indo-Gangetic plain is a flat arc dominating much of Northern India as well as
Bangladesh. More than 400 million people live in an area of 700,000 km2, making it one of the
most densely population regions on earth.

Andamanese family
History:
The use of historical documents is of utmost importance for the accession of
information that highlights the past relationships between human beings and their
environment. Discovering or obtaining information that is found in manuscripts,
books or other sources promotes a chronological view of evolving plant uses, for
example, on the question of the concepts of diseases and forms of cultivation. The
chronological analysis of all disease concepts throughout history can help to clarify
our current conceptions. However, extracting, analysing and interpreting these
types of data represents a challenge, as it requires itself knowledge from different
areas, such as History, Anthropology and Biology.

The scientific field that addresses these different aspects and that is responsible for
understanding part of these interrelationships by focusing on the dynamics
established between humans and plants is called Ethnobotany. Within this field,
one of the research approaches concerning the past interrelationships through the
use of written records and iconography is known as Historical Ethnobotany
(Medeiros et al. 2010). Historical Ethnobotany differs from Paleoethnobotany or
Archeobotany by including archaeological records and aims to understand the
interrelationships between humans and plants (Ford 1979). Despite having similar
subjects of study, the differences between Paleoethnobotany and Historical
Ethnobotany are based on methodology. Such research is of great relevance
because it aids in the reconstruction of historical facts that guide future studies
aimed at novel plant-derived discoveries(Giorgetti and Rodrigues 2007; Burns
2008) to verify changes in vegetation cover and species distribution (Oudijk and
Jansen 2000; Smith et al.2003), to assist in understanding the process ofplant
species domestication (Raghavan and Baruah1958; Negbi 1992; Prohens et
al. 1996), to show temporal changes in plant use and to describe the history of
cultivation and the economic importance of certain plants (Goor 1965; Porterfield
2008).

In addition, it should be noted that this scientific field allows for the reconstruction
of cultural identities, from small human groups to large civilizations, through the
retrospective review of different historical plant uses, such as food, wood,
magical/religious purposes and medicinal and fibre applications (Norton 1981;
Leal and Amaya 1991;Bedigian 2004; De Natale et al 2009).
  History of Ethnobotany in India:

Scope of and Objectives of Ethnobotany: The Scope of Ethnobotany in recent

times has been established with the problems of-
 Rural Health,
 Drugs,
 Social costumes,
 Cottage Industries,
 Conservation of Ecosystem,
 Nutrition,
 Energy,

Scope of Ethnobotany:
 Botany,
 Anthropology,
 Ecology,
 Medicine,
 Chemistry,
 Agriculture,
 Horticulture,
 Forestry,
 Agroforestry,
 Economics,
 Linguistics
 MULTI-DIMENSIONAL SCOPE

Ethno-medicine Ethno-veterinary
Ethno-pharmacology Etho-phytotechnology
Ethnotoxicology Ethnoecology
Ethnocosmetics Ethnoalgology
Ethnomycology Ethnolichenology
Ethnobryology Ethnopteridology
Ethnoagriculture Ethnohorticulture
Multi-dimensional Scope of Ethnobotany

Objectives of Ethnobotany:
The aims and Objecvtives of Ethnobotany are as follows:
 Proper documentation of indigenous knowledge about medicinal plants;
 Preservation of unwritten traditional knowledge about herbal plants;
 conservation of national heritage before its extinction;
 To create awareness about its role in cultural, social and health of people;
 To train people for utilization and conservation of medicinal plants.

ETHNOBOTANY AS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE

Ethnobotany as an interdisciplinary science is, therefore, in a position to contribute

to development of the wealth of traditional knowledge of the indigenous people
concerning their natural systems and Environment, their knowledge on utilization
and maintenance of plant resources on a long term basis without damaging or
destroying their habitats.
Ethnomedical data can be utilized by Economic Botanists to provide a new plant
resources, to provide fresh ideas for environment planners, as a tool for basic
selection of plant species for the development of drugs by pharmacologists, phyto
chemists and clinicals, as a new source of history through the study of plant names
by linguists, as a source for locating new germplasm for agricuturists, etc.
Major Tribes of India:
As of the census of 2011, India has a total of 705 tribes. These tribes include both
large and small tribes.
India is home to over hundreds of tribes situated in the States and Union Territories
of the country that separates them from other tribes making India a country of
diversity and culture. Schedule 5 of the Indian Constitution has recognized the
tribal community of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India.

Types of Tribes in India

The tribes in India are segregated into two types.
One is based on permanent traits, and the other one is based on acquired traits.

Types of Tribes - Based on Permanent Traits

The permanent traits which are used to classify the tribal people are language,
ecological habitat, region, and physical characteristics.

Types of Tribes - Based on Acquired Traits

The types of tribes based on acquired traits are divided based on livelihood and
based on incorporation into Hindu Society.
• Based on Livelihood - The tribes that are into the plantation and industrial
workers, hunters, fishermen, shifting cultivation, food gatherers, and peasants are
categorized as tribals based on livelihood.
• Based on Incorporation into Hindu Society - This is the dominant classification
of tribes based on the degree of assimilation into Hindu society, such as public
affairs, politics, and academics.

Tribal Population in India As per the Census of India 2011, the total population of
Scheduled Tribes (ST) in India is 104.49 million.
STs constitute 8.6% of the total population of India.
Rural areas constitute 11.3% of the tribal population, while urban areas constitute
only 2.8%.
Male ST has a population of 52.5 million, while ST female has a population of 52
million.
Bhil Tribe
Bhil is one of the major tribes of India that constitute 40% of the total population.
Bhil Tribe is found in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra
Pradesh, and Maharashtra. ‘Bhil’ word is derived from the Vil or Bil, which means
bow. This tribe was highly valuable as fighters against the Mughals, Britishers and
Marathas. However, in the present scenario, the Bhil tribe is employed as
sculptors, agricultural labourers and farmers.

Gond Tribe
The Gond tribe is one of the important tribal groups in India, often known for its
bravery and is found in Central India in the Chhindwara district of Madhya
Pradesh. However, it is also found in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, the
Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and many other states of
India. Their staple food is Kodo and Kutki, which are two types of millet. Apart
from this, they are to cultivate tobacco for smoking and produce liquor for the
Mahua Tree.

Munda Tribe
Munda tribe has its habitat in Jharkhand, but it is also found in other Indian states
such as Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tripura, and West Bengal. Munda
tribe is one of the oldest South Asian tribes that is known. They also existed during
the pre-British era but got recognition only between 1857-1928 due to a freedom
fighter Birsa Munda who played an important role in India’s freedom struggle.
Their most important festival is Magha or Ba. They are fond of music and dance.
their main language is Killi.

Santhal Tribe
Santhal Tribe is mainly found in West Bengal, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam,
and Odisha and is densely populated in Bihar. This tribe loves music and dance
and speaks the Santhali language. Their form of governance is known as Manjhi
Paragana.

Toto Tribe
Toto is one of the endangered but important tribes of India. It is found in the
Totopur region of West Bengal. This tribe is found to be in isolation as it remains
disconnected from the world. It is found that it does not have a population of more
than 1500; therefore, the Toto tribe is an endogamous group. Furthermore, their
literacy rate is also very low. Anthologists refer to this tribe as a ‘vanishing tribe’
as they are fewer in number. They were almost on the verge of extinction in the
1950s.

Important Tribes of India

State wise list of Tribes in India

Tribal population is spread across the country.
Some of the major tribes of India, such as Gond, Santhal, Bhil, Toda, etc, are found
in more than one state due to their proximity to the neighboring states.

Andhra Pradesh
Kondareddis, Sadhu Andh, Savaras, Yenadis, Bhil, Nakkala, Gadabas, Jatapus,
Banjara, Kattunayakan, Pardhan, Kolam, Konda, Kolawar, Koya, Rona, Andh,
Dabba Yerukula, Dhulia, Kammara, Thoti, Sugalis, Valmiki, Goundu, Sugalis,
Manna Dhora, Lambadis, Bhagata, Gond, Mukha Dhora Chenchus (Chenchawar)

Assam
Chakma, Dimasa, Rabha, Miri, Hajong, Borokachari, Garos, Karbi, Kachari, Garo,
Gangte, Chutiya, Boro, Sonwal, Khasis.

Arunachal Pradesh
Abor, Adi, Taroan, Dafla, Momba, Singpho, Apatanis, Wancho, Mishmi, Idu,
Tagin, Monpa, Nyishi, Sherdukpen, Galong Bihar Asur, Chero, Gond, Birhor,
Savar, Parhaiya, Birjia, Santal, Banjara, Baiga, Tharu, Santhals, Kharwar, Oraon

Chhattisgarh
Nagasia, Bhattra, Khond, Sawar, Mawasi, Gond, Halbi, Biar, Kawar, Bhaina,
Halba, Binjhwar, Agariya
Goa
Naikda, Dubia, Varli, Dhodia, Gawda, Siddi

Gujarat
Bhil, Dhanka, Talavia, Dhodia, Siddi, Patelia, Barda, Kokna, Bamcha, Charan,
Gamta, Halpati, Patelia, Dubla, Naikda, Rathawa, Paradhi

Jammu and Kashmir

Balti, Beda, Mon, Gaddi, Purigpa, Changpa, Bakarwal, Garra, Sippi, Gujjar

Jharkhand
Mundas, Gonds, Kharia, Birhors, Kharwar, Banjara, Bhumij, Santal, Mahli,
Santhals, Ho, Lohra, Savar, Bedia, Parhaiya, Kol

Himachal Pradesh
Khas, Swangla, Gujjars, Bhot, Lamba, Beta, Gaddis, Pangwala, Lahaulas, Beda
Bodh

Karnataka
Patelia, Barda, Koraga, Gond, Naikda, Marati, Iruliga, Bhil, Hasalaru, Yerava,
Meda, Soligaru, Koli Dhor, Adiyan

Kerala
Adiyan, Kattunayakan, Kurichchan, Kurumbas, Eravallan, Moplahs, Irular, Malai
arayan, Uralis, Kanikaran, Arandan, Muthuvan

Maharashtra
Bhunjia, Bhaina, Dhodia, Katkari, Kokna, Warlis, Kathodi, Rathawa, Khond, Koli,
Halba, Thakur, Dhanka, Mahadev, Pardhi

Madhya Pradesh
Bhils, Birhors, Pardhan, Bharia, Mawasi, Sahariya, Korku, Khond, Baigas,
Katkari, kharia, Kol, Murias, Gonds
Manipur
Anal, Naga, Maram, Chiru, Meitei, Thadou, Paite, Monsang, Thadou, Tangkhul,
Mao, Aimol, Angami, Kuki, Purum, Poumai Naga

Mizoram
Chakma, Kuki, Pawi, Lushai, Khasi, Raba, Lakher, Dimasa, Synteng

Meghalaya
Garos, Lakher, Chakma, Pawai, Raba, Hajong, Mikir, Jaintias Khasis

Nagaland
Ao, Angami, Kachari, Lotha, Kuki, Chakhesang, Mikir, Rengma, Garo, Nagas,
Sema, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam

Odisha
Ghara, Khond, Bhumij, Khayara, Bhottada, Koya, Kora, Rajuar, Oraons, Bathuri,
Gadaba, Paroja, Juang, Santhals, Kharia, Bathudi, Gond, Shabar, Kisan, Kolha,
Munda, Matya, Saora, Lodha

Rajasthan
Nayaka, Bhils, Meenas(Minas), Sahariya, Naikda, Damaria, Dhanka, Patelia,
Kathodi

Sikkim
Lepchas, Khas, Limboo, Bhutia, Tamang

Tamil Nadu
Kanikar, Aranadan, Irular, Kadar, Eravallan, Kurumans, Adiyan, Kanikar, Kotas,
Malayali, Todas

Tripura
Bhil, Chaimal, Chakma, Khasia, Mizel, Bhutia, Lushai, Halam, Namte, Munda,
Mag, Riang
Telangana
Chenchus

Uttarakhand
Buksa, Bhotias, Khas, Tharu, Jannsari, Raji

Uttar Pradesh
Buksa, Kharwar, Saharya, Jaunsari, Chero, Kol, Baiga, Tharu, Bhotia, Raji,
Agariya, Gond, Parahiya

West Bengal
Parhaiya, Ho, Mal, Rabha, Asur, Savar, Chik Baraik, Hajong, Lodha, Khond,
Santhals, Bhumij, Kora, Kheria, Parhaiya Khariam, Bhutia, Kisan, Pahariya, Mahali,
Oraon

Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Pondicherry, and Chandigarh have no tribal

population living.

Issues faced by Tribes in India:

Some of the major issues faced by the tribal groups in India are as follows:

 Land Alienation: Tribal population mainly depend on natural resources for their
livelihood. However, during the colonial rule after the discovery of minerals and
other resources in the tribal regions, they were forcefully displaced. After
independence, these regions came under state control, which negatively impacted
the tribal way of life. They lost their forest rights, which resulted in tribal people
trapped in the hands of moneylenders and landlords. Indebtedness increased, and
their livelihood lost.
• Identity Crisis: Displacement of these tribes from the mining areas and for
development of industries in these regions has forced them to live either on the
periphery of these industrial pockets or to move to urban centers in search of
livelihood. Disconnect from their homeland and unawareness and unpreparedness
to the urban lifestyle have led to an identity crisis for these people. This gave birth
to various psychological issues like depression, low self-esteem, low confidence, a
feeling of un-belongingness, etc.
• Illiteracy: According to the Population Census of India, 2011 the literacy rate for
ST is 58.96 per cent (literacy rate for the male is 68.53 per cent and for female is
49.35 per cent) which is lower than the national average of 74.04 per cent (for male
82.14 per cent and female 65.46 per cent).
Their traditions and customs, prevailing poverty, the tendency of isolation,
nomadic lifestyle, and lack of necessary infrastructure and teachers suitable for
their needs.
• Gender Issues: Despite better sex ratio of 990 females per 1000 males of the
Scheduled tribes in India, women of the community also have to face various
challenges. Due to their sudden exposure to the urban lifestyle and their inability to
adapt to the changes that occurred as a result of their forced displacement post-
independence, women of society became more vulnerable. Consumerism and
commoditization of women have weakened their position in society.
• Issues with Health: Prevailing poverty, financial insecurity along with illiteracy
has resulted in various health problems among the tribal population. They
generally reside in slums and live under unhygienic conditions, which make them
prone to diseases. Their inability to purchase and consume healthy food products
and buy supplements to fulfill the nutrient requirement, they are likely to
malnutrition and associated challenges including anemia, high infant mortality
rates, etc.

Literacy Rate of Tribal Groups in India The overall literacy rate is a key socio-
economic indicator of a country’s progress. In order to improve the literacy rate of
the major tribes in India, the government of India has introduced several schemes.
As per the Census figures, there has been an increase in the literacy rate of tribes in
India from 47.1 per cent in 2001 to 59 per cent in 2011.

• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

• National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) (NCST)
1st Tribal President of India Droupadi Murmu is the first tribal president of
India. She belongs to an important tribe in India which is the Santhal tribe. She is
the 15th President of India and the 2nd female President of India after Smt.
Pratibha Patil. She hails from Uparbeda village of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha in
a Santhali tribal family to Biranchi Narayan Tudu. She was married to Sri. Shyam
Charan Murmu, a banker by profession but passed away in 2014. Smt. Murmu was
a schoolteacher before she entered politics.
............................................................................................................................
Name: Prof. Ajai Kumar Singh,
Department of BOTANY,
Faculty of Science,
Mobile No. 9450538149,
E-mail: ajaiupcollege@gmail.com
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