| Tadvi Bhil | |
|---|---|
| Religions | Hindu[1]Islam[2] |
| Languages | Marathi andBhili |
| Populated states | Maharashtra,Madhya Pradesh andGujrat[3] |
| Subdivisions | 12 main clans |
TheTadvi Bhil is a tribal community found in the states ofMaharashtra,Gujarat,Madhya Pradesh andRajasthan in India. They are a clan of the largerBhil ethnic group. They use the surname Tadvi or sometimes the name of their Kul or Gan; the Dhankas of Gujarat and Maharashtra use Tadvi or Tetariya.[4][5]
The Tadvi Bhil inhabit an area which roughly covers the border areas of the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. This territory forms the core of theFaruqi kingdom, a medieval state in central India. In the Western part of this area, Tadvis and Vasavas are mainlyHindu but some Christian missionary activities are seen in this region.[6] A close association between the Bhil of this region, and the Faruqi state led to the conversion of some of them toIslam. The dance that they perform on various occasions is known as Timli or Sajoni, commonly known as tribal dance.[citation needed]
The Tadvi speak a dialect of their own, also known as Tadvi, but many are switching toMarathi. Their language is also Dhanka and Bhilori, which belong to the Bhil group. They inhabit villages which are largely Tadvi. The community consists mainly of small cultivators. Like the wider Bhil community, they currently practisegotra exogamy, and areendogamous.[7]
As of 2001[update], the Tadvi Bhil of Rajasthan were classified as aScheduled Tribe under theIndian government's reservation program ofpositive discrimination.[8]
The Tadvi Bhil tribe and the Tadvi tribe are two distinct tribes.[9]Tadvi Bhil are part of theBhil ethnic group whereas the Tadvi tribe is not Bhil,[citation needed] but a sub-tribe of theDhanka ethnic group. Dhanka, once itself under the Bhil, separated nearly 900 years ago.[citation needed]
Anthropologist Megan Moodie says aboutDhanka history that what does exist "tend[s] to be brief and stress their 'insignificance' and lowness". She notes that they are a sub-tribe of the Bhil people, and that they are today found throughout much of western India.[10]Dhanka has 3 major sub-tribes; Tadvi, Tetaria and Valvi. Their occupations have changed over time, as circumstances have dictated. In the State ofMaharashtra, the Tadvi tribe is mentioned at serial No. 13 whereas the Tadvi Bhil is placed at serial no. 8 in List of Scheduled Tribes in Maharashtra[11] in accordance with The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act 1976 (Act No. 108 of 1976).[12]In the state ofGujarat, the Tadvi tribe is placed at serial No. 8 and the Tadvi Bhil at Serial No. 4 inList of Scheduled Tribes in Gujarat[13] in accordance with Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act,1976.[12] They speak Tadvi Boli Bhasha,[citation needed] unlike the Tadvi Bhil, who speakBhilori. Both the tribes have a significant presence in theDhule,Nandurbar andJalgaon districts ofMaharashtra State. Many Tadvi tribals migrated around theMarathwada region[citation needed] around 100–150 years ago, but Tadvi Bhil are found at the border of theAurangabad andJalgaon districts ofMaharashtra state. The traditions of both tribes are similar but some differences exist[dubious –discuss].[14]
Media related toTadvi Bhil at Wikimedia Commons | This article about an Indian ethnicity or social group is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |