Korku is a language used by Korku tribal community, which is mostly concentrated in Central India. The community belongs to the Austro-Asiatic group of people. The Korku people are by far the most western situated of all Austro-Asians, and they belong to the Munda group who largely reside in Eastern India and Myanmar.
The Korkus derive their name from the combination of the word ‘koru’, meaning ‘man’, and ‘ku’, which makes it plural, meaning ‘tribal men’. Currently, the Korku language is considered as an endangered language.
Baigani is spoken by the people belonging to the Baiga community. The Baiga Tribe is forest dwelling aboriginals, who live in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Tattooing forms an integral part of their culture; they live a semi nomadic life along with practicing shifting cultivation. They worship Mother Earth.
NEG-FIRE Intervention Presence: Mandla and Dindori districts in Madhya Pradesh, Kawardha in Chhattisgarh
Santhali language is spoken by the third largest tribe in India, the Santhals. They are mainly found in West Bengal, Bihar, Tripura, Odisha and Jharkhand. Dating back to the Pre-Aryan period, they are known for waging war against Lord Cornwallis in 1855 struggling and fighting against the British regime. They are also known for dancing which they’re deeply connected to. Their main occupation lies within the forest they reside in, ranging from hunting, fishing as well as cultivation for their livelihood. They have an expertise in making musical instruments, mats and blankets with plants as their raw materials.
NEG-FIRE Intervention Presence: Katihar District in Bihar, Sahibganj District in Jharkhand
Gondi is spoken by one of the largest tribes in India, the Gond tribe. This tribe is scattered all over central and Southern India in states of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh. Their main occupation is agriculture.
NEG-FIRE Intervention Presence: Mandla and Dindori Districts in Madhya Pradesh, Kawardha in Chhattisgarh
Konda Dhoras, Kui and Adivasi Odia are some of the Dravidian languages spoken in India. They are spoken by the scheduled tribe who mostly live in the districts of Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, and East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. They practice settled cultivation which is their primary occupation.
NEG-FIRE Intervention Presence: Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh
Bhili is spoken by the people belonging to the Bhil tribe, which is the largest tribe in India constituting 39% of the total population in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura. Known as the Bow men of Rajasthan, or the tribals of Mewar or the Archers, their main occupation is agriculture and animal husbandry. Their communal life is colored by folklore and a profound inclination toward dancing.
NEG-FIRE Intervention Presence: Banswars and Bundi in Rajasthan, Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh, Dahod in Gujarat
Poraja, Gadaba and Kui are spoken by one of the main tribes in Odisha. It dates back to the 2nd century of the Christian era. This tribe considers “Bastaria” as their original home as they migrated from Bastar area in Chhattisgarh. Generally they are hill cultivators and they are also fond of cattle wealth.
NEG-FIRE Intervention Presence: Koraput in Odisha