Crises indeed reveal the fundamental struggles of life. It aids in the identification of uncertainty and socio-economic inequities. However, some indigenous groups in India do not require an external crisis to understand the level of uncertainty and social inequalities they face. These are the people who are born into adversity. They are oblivious to world developments. Starting from mobility restriction to being victims of social stigma, these groups of people are always cornered and driven to the fringes. This study highlights the long-standing existential crises of the Sabar tribal community in the Pukhuria village of Jhargram district in West Bengal, India. Under The Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, they were categorized as one of the "criminal tribes" in India during the colonial era. Even today, they are frequently referred to as the Tree People (because of their location in the forest belt). They are not given their due recognition and face societal shame and rejection. With a limited food supply, dependence on the traditional methods of healing, and lack of jobs—this tribal group is confined to the forest belt. Children are also compelled to drink hariya (rice beer derived from fermented rice) to satiate their hunger owing to a scarcity of food. Thus, the aim of this study is to locate the existential crises of the group members; to critically understand and analyze how mobility restrictions and various forms of social inequalities affect their everyday social lives, and to look for possible solutions. The primary data are collected using discourse analysis from the members of the Sabar community residing in Pukhuria village. This village is home to nearly 23 families who lead a quiet existence. The study will emphasize narratives, descriptions of their condition, and arguments that may be significant for future research utilizing a social-anthropological lens.
