Traversing India’s Folk and Tribal Legacies

Art and culture are the two pillars of any community that help identify its essence and distinctiveness. It is because of this that many cultures and communities have begun to hold the art and literature of their language in high esteem. It helps one understand the culture better. 

Being a diverse nation, India has a treasury of heterogeneous cultures and traditions that help shape it into the country that it is today. Every nook and corner has a piece of tradition that is appealing as well as relevant. One of the best places to explore this assortment of cultures and traditions of the country is to visit the many folk and tribal museums. 

Therefore, in this spirit, we have created a catalogue of some of the best folk and tribal museums in India.

Tribal Museum, Bhopal (M.P.)

Situated in the heart of the country, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, this museum houses various items relating to the art and culture of the indigenous tribes of Madhya Pradesh. The museum boasts of specialised focus on the tribal arts of Gond, Bhil. Baiga, Kol, Korku, Sahariya and Bhariya tribes. With several artefacts available to understand the diverse cultures of these tribes, the museum also hosts traditional dance, music and drama performances regularly to provide a holistic insight into their lives.The museum has six galleries depicting the festivals, rituals, myths, folk tales, arts and crafts of the tribes. The museum acts as a double-edged sword, intending to understand the aspects of tribal societies and present it in front of the civilised society that follows a different lifestyle. 

Museum of Folk and Tribal Arts, Gurgaon (Haryana) 

This museum is committed to the mission of compiling, preserving and propagating the folk, tribal and neglected arts. A project started by the noted art historian, writer and  artist in the year 1984, the museum is a result of the extreme hardwork and dedication of Mr. K.C. Aryan who went great lengths to collect and preserve these works. He collected these works from various people, even the scarp workers. This museum includes some of the most unique tribal and folk artefacts. Presently, it is maintained by Mr. Aryan’s family, and has an exceptional collection of folk paintings, litho prints, folk and tribal bronze objects, papier-mâché masks, various ritualistic remnants, ethnic jewellery, card puppets and many other things. Harbouring a great passion for history and historical artefacts, Mr. K.C. Aryan has been able to collect a great range of artefacts that are as old as 800 years. 

Shri Badal Bhoi State Tribal Museum, Chhindwara (M.P)

Renamed after the tribal revolutionary leader and freedom fighter Shri Badal Bhoi, this museum was built in the year 1954. It is known as the oldest tribal museum of Madhya Pradesh and comprises several tribal art and other objects that portray the lifestyle of the tribes around the Chhindwara area. Items such as various household objects, ornaments, clothes, arms and other day-to-day tools are showcased in the museum to provide visitors a closer look into the lives of the tribal people. A large chunk of the museum deals with representation of the Gond and Baiga tribes of the area and highlights the folk dances, music, festivals and religious activities of the tribes. 

Tribal Museum, Araku Valley (Andhra Pradesh)

Located in the beautiful hills of Araku in Andhra Pradesh, this museum describes the life and culture of the many tribes that live in the region namely: Khord, B.Mallis, Bagata, Koya, Savara, and Gadaba. The articles on display range from household objects, and musical instruments to local art depicting hunting scenes and dance visuals. To preserve the culture of these tribal communities, this museum provides a great collection of art, sculptures, statues and life scenes. It also consists of clay monuments that help in depicting the day-to-day lives of the tribes in the area. 

Tribal Museum, Keylang (H.P.)

Located in Lahaul and Spiti valley in Himachal Pradesh, this museum was made to document and preserve the art and culture of the tribal communities living in the region. It has a rare collection of stamps, manuscripts, coins, and photographs that explain the historical and religious aspects of tribal life in the area. Interestingly, the museums represent the lifestyles and cultures of tribes belonging to both Buddhist and Hindu communities. Furthermore, the museum houses important archaeological finds, Thangka paintings and ancient manuscripts in Bhoti and Tankri scripts. 

Rich in the various objects of art as well as everyday life, this museum gives a great summary of the life of the tribal people dwelling there.

Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures, Shillong (Meghalaya) 

Situated in the mesmerising hills of Shillong, the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures is a museum that represents the art, life, indigenous culture of the seven tribal communities of the state, namely Garo, Khasi, Jaintia, Bodo, Tiwa, Rabha, and Karbi. Apart from clothes, ethnic jewellery, depiction of folk dance and music, art, and everyday items of the tribes, this museum also represents the cultures of Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura. This museum proves to be an anthology of different art, cultures and traditions.