The rich tapestry of human civilization is woven with a diverse array of races and tribes, each with its own unique heritage, customs, and traditions. From the bustling streets of metropolitan cities to the remote corners of untouched wilderness, the world is home to an astonishing variety of people who have thrived in their distinct environments for centuries. From the nomadic tribes of the Sahara Desert to the indigenous communities of the Amazon rainforest, the human story is illuminated by the myriad cultures that have flourished across continents and generations. As we delve into the fascinating mosaic of races and tribes of the world, we embark on a journey through history, geography, and anthropology to uncover the intricacies of humanity’s rich and multifaceted tapestry.
RACES AND TRIBES OF THE WORLD
A race refers to a collective group of individuals sharing similar and enduring distinguishing characteristics, with interpretations often associated with their skin and hair colour.
- The classification of racial groups is based on characteristics and physical features inherited from a common ancestor.
- The key features considered for racial classification include skin colour, stature, the shape of the head, face, nose, eyes, type of hair, and blood group.
Major Races in the World:
Negroid:
Commonly known as the “Black Race,” Negroid individuals have the darkest skin tone globally.
Distinctive Characteristics: Sloped forehead, thick lips, wide nose, and dark hairs.
Body Features: Brown to black-brown or yellow-brown skin color, tall to very short stature, and a linear and muscular body build.
Geographic Distribution: Predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Mongoloid:
Mongoloid individuals are found in East Asia and exhibit folding eyelids, almond-shaped eyes, and a yellowish skin tone.
Distinctive Characteristics: Medium tall to medium short stature, lateral body build, and brown to dark brown eyes with a medial epicanthal fold.
Geographic Distribution: East Asia, including Native Americans and Eskimos.
Caucasoid:
Also known as “White People,” Caucasoid individuals have a pointy nose, vertical forehead, and a pinkish/orange skin tone.
Distinctive Characteristics: Pale reddish-white to olive-brown skin color, medium to tall stature, and light blonde to dark brown, straight to wavy hair.
Body Features: Linear to lateral slender body build and a high, narrow to medium broad nose.
Geographic Distribution: Europe and the Middle East.
Australoid:
Australoid individuals have visible eye ridges, wide noses, curly hair, and a dark skin tone.
Distinctive Characteristics: Short stature and a unique facial structure adapted for eating stiff foods.
Geographic Distribution: Australia Continent and Papua New Guinea.
Ethnicity:
Ethnicity is a grouping of people based on shared cultural characteristics, reflecting language, religion, and material cultures such as clothing, cuisine, music, and art.
India showcases significant ethnic diversity, encompassing various races, religions, languages, and cultures.
The major ethnic groups include the Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, and people of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Ethnicity vs. Race:
- Ethnicity: Grouping of people based on cultural characteristics.
- Race: Grouping of people based on physical qualities.
Racial Diversity in India:
India is known for its diverse races, religions, languages, and cultures. The population consists of Indo-Aryans in North India, Dravidians in South India, and people from the Indus Valley Civilization.
Dravidians: Native speakers of Dravidian languages, residing mainly in South India, with major ethnic groups including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Tulu. Dravidians have a rich history, and their languages include Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Brahui.
SOME OF THE MAJOR TRIBES OF WORLD
- Pygmy:
- Subgroup: Achna
- Sub-Castes: Mabuti, Twa, Viroga, Gossera
- Location: Congo Basin, Gabon, Uganda, Southeast Asia’s Philippines, Ameta, New Guinea
- Shelters: Beehive-like makeshift shelters
- Height: 1.33 to 1.49 meters on average
- Boro:
- Location: Western Amazon basin, border areas of Brazil, Peru, Colombia
- Characteristics: Brown skin, straight medium-length hair
- Occupation: Hunter-gatherer
- Sakai:
- Location: Malay Peninsula’s forested areas
- Characteristics: Clear complexion, long stature, skinny body, black curly hair
- Activities: Agriculture, horticulture, hunting with blowpipe
- Semang:
- Location: Mountainous regions of Malay Peninsula, Andaman Islands, Philippines, Central Africa
- Race: Negroid
- Diet: Primarily yam; survival dependent on forest produce and hunting
- Papuan:
- Location: Papua New Guinea
- Characteristics: Resemble pygmies, hazardous and irrational
- Occupation: Mainly agriculture
- Bushmen:
- Location: Kalahari Desert in South Africa, Lesotho, Natal, Zimbabwe
- Characteristics: Black skin, huge eyes
- Termites: Referred to as “Bushmen’s rice”
- Bedouin:
- Location: Hamad and Nafad deserts in northern Arabia
- Tribes: Negrito
- Prey: Camels, sheep, goats
- Dwelling: Tents with scarves wrapped around their heads
- Masai:
- Location: Plateaus of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda
- Race: Cross between Mediterranean and Negroid
- Belief: Cows considered sacred; priests known as Laibon
- Kyrgyz:
- Location: Kyrgyzstan’s Pamir plateau, Tianshan Mountains
- Occupation: Itinerant cattlemen
- Dwelling: Yurts (round tents for temporary occupants)
- Eskimo:
- Location: Tundra regions of North America (Alaska to Greenland)
- Race: Mongoloid
- Diet: Known for eating raw meat; hunting as the main source of income
- Pet: Reindeer
- Samoyeds:
- Location: Western Siberia’s Tundra region
- Race: Mongoloid
- Occupation: Hunting, livestock husbandry
- Kazak:
- Race: Mongoloid
- Alternate Name: Kyrgyz
- Occupation: Itinerant cattlemen; Turkish speakers
- Maya:
- Ethnicity: Primarily Red Indians
- Location: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras
- Occupation: Agrarian tribe
- Afridi:
- Location: Tribal caste of Pashtuns in Pakistan (Safed Koh to Peshawar)
- Characteristics: Great fighters and heroes
- Yupik:
- Location: Western Alaska, eastern Russia
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the basis of racial classification?
Racial classification is based on shared and enduring distinguishing characteristics inherited from a common ancestor. Key features include skin colour, stature, head and facial shape, nose, eyes, type of hair, and blood group.
2. How are races classified globally?
The major races globally are Negroid, Mongoloid, Caucasoid, and Australoid. Each has distinctive physical characteristics, geographic distributions, and cultural attributes.
3. What are the characteristics of the Negroid race?
Negroid individuals, commonly known as the “Black Race,” have the darkest skin tone. They exhibit features such as a sloped forehead, thick lips, wide nose, and dark hairs. They are predominantly found in Sub-Saharan Africa.
4. Where are Mongoloid individuals located, and what are their distinctive features?
Mongoloid individuals are found in East Asia, including Native Americans and Eskimos. They have folding eyelids, almond-shaped eyes, and a yellowish skin tone. Other features include medium-tall stature, lateral body build, and brown to dark brown eyes with a medial epicanthal fold.
5. What characterises the Caucasoid race, and where are they predominantly located?
Caucasoid individuals, also known as “White People,” are characterised by a pointy nose, vertical forehead, and a pinkish/orange skin tone. They are predominantly located in Europe and the Middle East.
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