Sandwiched between China and India, Nepal is home to the Magar Kham people, who inhabit the hills in the Rukum, Rolpa and Baglung districts.  Although they are one of the oldest known tribes in Nepal, their origins are unclear.  Their language, dances and culture suggest that they are of Tibetan heritage.

Dhankavi belongs to the Indo-European language family. They are believed to have migrated south, crossing the Narmada River of Central India centuries ago. The earliest settlers lived along both the banks. Farming is the main occupation of this people group.

The Lodhi people are said to be the first of the military caste. History records the brave warriors in ancient times and the 1857 revolt under the leadership of their dynamic queen, Avantibai. She was martyred on March, 20 1858, while unsuccessfully defending Mandla.

The historically nomadic Sakachep people are an ethnolinguistic minority in South East Asia. They depend on agriculture for their livelihood and subsist through the practice of Jhum (shifting) cultivation and padi fields. Most live in homes made of bamboo and elevated on stilts. 

It is believed that the last Hindu ruler of the region, King Ahir, is their ancestor. All the subjects of his kingdom formed the first Ahirani community. Ahirani people live in houses constructed of baked mud, with clay tile roofs, but these are slowly being replaced by permanent cement and concrete constructions.

The Santal native tribes are ruled by chiefs, or “headmen”, but the panchayat (religious scholar or monk) are consulted for important matters, such as the problematic issues of land rights and marriage. “Early to bed and early to rise” is a key habit of the Santali people, who make their living by farming, weaving, and hunting

The Kharam people, a tiny tribe of only 2,000 speakers in South East Asia, are one of the oldest tribes in the region. They are an industrious and fun-loving people, known for their festivals and craftmanship. Rich in culture, tradition and love for their language.

Farmers by profession, the Nahali people rear domestic animals like goats and cows. They aren’t landowners, so labour for wages or share in the seasonal produce of the landlord’s fields. The women wear the traditional Sari and the men wear the dhoti-kurta and turban.

Settled in the rocky hills with a moderate climate, the Tagin area is a wildlife sanctuary and tourist destination. The Tagin people are agriculturalists, employing the slash-and-burn method of shifting cultivation (Jhum). They depend on hunting, animal trapping and fishing for their survival. The bison (mithun) is the most important of their domestic animals as a food source and for use in their many rituals.

The origins of the Holiya tribe are said to be in the southern state of Karnataka. The Holiya first came to eastern Maharashtra for trade and this was followed by mass migration in the 18th Century. 

The Bugun people are known to be gentle in nature and warm in hospitality. They are surrounded by beautiful mountains, evergreen vegetation and forests. Wild boars and bears can be found as well as many beautiful birds—including the Hornbill. Varieties of Orchid are found in the region.

The Kuvi people depend on agriculture and daily wages for their livelihood. They spend a lot of time in the forests, collecting resources to sell in nearby towns and live in small houses made of wood or bamboo. After completing their household chores, the women work in the fields and children are expected to help.

It has been said that Paliya was the first language spoken in Gujarat. Ancestor worshipers, the Paliya community celebrate various festivals like Nawaay, Diwali and Holi. They are a close-knit community, and while not being socially accepted by dominant groups, their language is a powerful unifying force among them.

The Tutsa are an ancient tribe of gentle and peaceful people. They have a fair complexion and are short in stature. Agriculturalists by tradition, they used to utilise shifting cultivation and rear domestic animals such as horses, cows, pigs, goats and poultry. The Tutsa have always been hard working and also grow cardamom, oranges, ginger and vegetables.