Key Facts about Sahariya Tribe

About Sahariya Tribe:

• The Sahariya tribe is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) spread across the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh.
• Sahariya, also known as Seher, Sair, Sawar, Saor, Sahara, etc.
• Traditionally, they trace back their beginnings to the days of the Ramayana and even beyond.
• They are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable population groups in the country.
• Residing in communities with non-Sahariya members, the Sahariyas mostly live in a separate area in the village, which is called ‘Seharana’. It is generally a cluster of houses.
  • The houses are made of some stone boulders, and the roofing is also made of stone slabs - locally called Patore. In some villages, mud structures are also constructed. 
  • In villages, ties to the caste system are very strong,andpeople belonging to the same caste live in close proximity. 
• Religion: They practice Hinduism as their religion.
• Language: They speak a dialect influenced by Hindi and Brij Bhasha.
• They are known for their dance, the Saharia Swang, which is performed during the month of Holi.
  • The dance is performed to the beats of the dhol, nagari, and matki.
  • It features a male dressed in female attire who dances around the male performers.
• Economy:
  • Members of the Sahariya tribe are mostly dependent on forest products, agriculture, and daily wage labor to sustain their lives.
  • They are particularly skilled in making catechu from khair trees.

Q1: Who are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)?

PVTGs are a more vulnerable group among tribal groups in India. These groups have primitive traits, geographical isolation, low literacy, zero to negative population growth rate and backwardness. Moreover, they are largely dependent on hunting for food and a pre-agriculture level of technology. Currently, there are 2.8 million PVTGs belonging to 75 tribes across 22,544 villages in 220 districts across 18 states and Union Territories in India. According to the 2011 Census, Odisha has the largest population of PVTGs at 866,000. It is followed by Madhya Pradesh at 609,000 and Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana) at 539,000.

Source: Rajasthan: Over 100 malnourished children among Sahariya tribe found in Baran district