Clans of Bhils and their role in conservation.

摘要

This paper present a socio-anthropological study undertaken to establish interrelationship between ecology and social culture in tribal belt of Western Madhya Pradesh,India. Bhil is the dominant tribe in this area and they constitute the third largest tribe of India and second largest in Madhya Pradesh. More than 100 clans are known among the Bhils. These are named after a plant, animal, place or mythological person. They are called their totems. Bhils have great respect towards their totems. Their taboos and beliefs help in the conservation of plants. Approximately 40 clans are either named after or associated with plants, which are found in neighbouring forests. This paper describes 40 plants, which are the totems of Bhil clans.