In anthropology, a tribe is a human social group. Exact definitions of what constitutes a tribe vary among anthropologists, and the term is itself considered controversial in academic circles in part due to its association with colonialism. In general use, the term may refer to people perceived by a population to be primitive and may have negative connotations. The concept is often contrasted with other social groups concepts, such as nations, states, and forms of kinship.
In some places, such as India and North America, tribes are polities that have been granted legal recognition and limited autonomy by the national government.Considerable debate has accompanied efforts to define and characterize tribes. When scholars use the term, they may perceive differences between pre-state tribes and contemporary tribes; there is also general controversy over cultural evolution and colonialism. In the popular imagination, tribes reflect a way of life that predates, and is more natural than that in modern states
The Tribal museum in Bhopal is very thoughtfully planned and the entire campus is theme based right from its entrance. Every art work has some meaning to it which is beautifiully depicted but difficult to deipher without basic knowledge of the tribes. Best way to understand is ask for a copy of their colorfull brochure which describes meaning of all the major artifact in Hindi.
The well planned campus is divided into 6 galleries depicting Cultural Diversity, Tribal Life, Tribal Art, Tribal Mythology, Tribals of Chattisgarh and Tribal Games. It also has Art Exibition Gallery and Open Air Theatre. All the artfacts in Galleries are majorly taken from 7 major and most important tribes of state namely Gond, Bheel, Korku, Kol, Bharia, Baiga and Saharia. Gallery 1 shows the cultural diversity of various tribes in Madhya Pradesh and adjoining states. The sheer size of Madhya Pradesh where Eastern Border to Western Border is spread 1000 Kms apart allowed many tibes to flourish independently since ancient time. The Gallery depicts the diversity in a very innovative form This Gallery even tries to address life in pre historic Gondwana Land. House of Gond Tribes in Madhya Pradesh Gallery shows day to day life of tribals, their houses, how they live in them, what all basic methods and tools they use to preserve food grains, to cook, the material used to build houses and decorative artfacts. This gallery is a visual treat, though the houses are glamourously built and are far from reality in tough environment they live in, it still provides good insight of their life.
