The Scheduled Tribes (STs) constitute around 8.6% of India's population, and about 7.9 million people in India follow various specified and unspecified tribal religions. In the 2011 Census, Gujarat's population was 60,439,692, with 8,917,174 belonging to Scheduled Tribes, constituting 14.75% of the state's total population. Gujarat is known for its tribes, with 29 main tribes, including Gamith, Dhodias, Siddi, Barda, and Vasawas, among others. India is home to numerous tribes with diverse beliefs, faiths, and religious practices. The tribes in South Gujarat are deeply religious and believe that all objects, places, and creatures have spiritual nature. Scheduled tribes of South Gujarat also practice agriculture, fishing, and hunting. Tribal groups face immense pressure from major organized religions and the national political and economic systems.
In South Gujarat, many tribal groups have closely tied their religious concepts to nature and local ecological systems. Some tribal communities have been affected by cultural assimilation, and recognition of their traditional customs and beliefs is important. Tribal religion is based on oral traditions, and the tribes express their beliefs in everyday language. Their rituals are aimed at solving their problems and bringing them closer to their deities. Some rituals are performed to ask for blessings or to show gratitude for blessings received, while others are performed to seek guidance or protection. The paper highlights the importance of recognizing and preserving the traditional customs and beliefs of tribal groups in the face of cultural assimilation.
