UPSC NCERT Notes - Geography - Races and Tribes

The study of Races and Tribes is a crucial component within the realm of Geography, providing valuable insights into the diverse human societies that inhabit our planet. The UPSC NCERT Notes on this subject serve as a comprehensive guide, delving into the intricate tapestry of ethnicities, cultures, and communities across different geographical landscapes. This exploration goes beyond mere demographic categorization, aiming to unravel the historical, social, and economic facets that define these races and tribes. Aspiring civil servants preparing for the UPSC examination find these notes indispensable, as they navigate through the nuanced understanding of human diversity and its impact on geographical patterns and interactions. In this pursuit, the study of Races and Tribes becomes a key tool for comprehending the intricate dynamics that shape the world we inhabit.

“Human beings are vertebrates and belong to the class Mammalia. Within the class Mammalia, man belongs to the order of primates, a group that originated about 65 million years ago and includes not only monkeys and apes but also lorises, lemurs, and tarsiers. Humans belong to the family Hominidae, in which homo sapiens is the only living species.”

Table of Contents

Human Evolution

The journey of human evolution on Earth is thought to have commenced during the Tertiary period, as indicated by paleontological evidence. The initial human ancestors emerged in the African continent around 65 million years ago.
Ramapithecus stands as the earliest fossil ancestor in the direct line of human evolution, existing approximately 16 to 18 million years ago.
Following this, Australopithecus, the African ape people, inhabited Africa around 5 million years ago, ultimately leading to the genus Homo around 2 million years ago.
Homo Habilis, known as “the handy people,” thrived in Africa roughly 2 million years ago. Homo erectus emerged about 1.7 million years ago and is believed to have migrated to Asia and Europe.
In Europe and Asia, the Neanderthal Man (Homo sapiens neanderthalensis), a primitive form of Homo sapiens, was prevalent. Despite resembling modern humans, they were relatively short and had a robust build. The Neanderthal population vanished around 34,000 years ago, making way for the more efficient Cro-Magnon.
Following the last glacial period, Homo sapiens began to disperse globally.

Races of the World

Race is a term used for a large group of people with some basic inherited physical characteristics in common, eg, skin color, hair, facial features, and head shape, etc.
The factors influencing the racial differences are given below Climatic Changes A unique race evolves due to living in the same climatic conditions for a very long time. e.g. White races in the colder regions or Negroid races in the Mediterranean tropical region. Due to climate change, racial characteristics are also changed. e.g., the brown complexion of a Mestizo.

Physical Characteristics of Races

Characteristic	Caucasoid	Negroid	Mongoloid
Skin Colour	Light reddish white to olive brown. Some are brown	Brown to brown-black. yellow-brown	Light yellow to some reddish brown.
			Some are yellow-brown.
			Brown.
			Brown-black in some.
Head Hair	Light blonde to dark brown in color. Coarse in texture. Curly to frizzly in form	Brown-black in color. Woolly to wavy in form	Brown to black in color. Straight to wavy in form
		Medium in texture. Straight to woolly in form
Body Hair	Moderate to profuse	Slight	Sparsely distributed
Eye Colour	Light brown to brown-black	Brown to dark brown	Brown to blue
Special Eye	Lateral eye-fold	Vertical eye-fold	Epicanthic fold
Head Form	Dolichocephalic to brachycephalic. Height is medium to very low to high.	Predominantly brachycephalic. Height is medium.	Predominantly dolichocephalic. Height is medium.
Face	Narrow to medium broad. Strong prognathism is high and fat.	Narrow to medium. Broad and very often high and fat.	Medium broad to very broad. Cheekbones are high and fat.
		Broad and often high and fat.
Nose	Leptorrhine to platyrrhine. Usually, bridge is high.	Platyrrhine, mesorrhine. Usually, bridge is low.	Mesorrhine to platyrrhine. Usually, bridge is low to medium.

Hormonal Influence Hormones also influence the differences in races which are as follows.

Pituitary Gland Due to higher activity of this gland, people of the Caucasian race are tall, well built, with beautiful and proportionate noses and broad chin.
Thyroid Gland Due to the inactivity of this gland, people of the Mongolian race have flat face, and small foreheads.
Adrenal Gland This gland influences the complexion.
Biological Mutation and Selection Hugo De Vries was the proponent of the Mutation Theory of Evolution. He believed species evolve from other species through sudden, large changes in character traits.
Racial Mixture or Miscegenation Miscegenation is the mixing of different racial groups through different activities like marriage, co-habitation, sexual relations or procreation, particularly inter-mixing i.e., perceived to negatively impact the purity of a particular race or culture.

Classifications of Human Races

This division of human races is usually based on origin and the variations found among them. But again clear-cut demarcating lines doesn’t exist and there are always intermediate types possessing a combination of characteristics.
So, every race has some overlapping traits.
The first effort to classify human races on a scientific basis was undertaken by Linnaeus in the 18th century.
Mainly three broad races are found in the world which are as given below

Caucasoid Race and Tribes

A collective term for individuals from Europe, the Horn of Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia is the Caucasian race, commonly referred to as White People.
The origin of the Caucasian race is believed to be traced back to the Caucasian Mountains in Eurasia. Their light skin tone is thought to be an adaptation to the cold climate of Europe, allowing better sunlight absorption.
The distinctive nose structure is considered an adaptation to prevent moisture loss in windy conditions. Caucasoid individuals inhabit Europe and the Middle East, constituting half of the world’s population. The Caucasoid race is further divided into the European branch, the Indo-Iranian branch, and Semite and Hamites.
European Branch This branch is primarily concentrated in Europe, with diaspora populations in regions colonized by Europeans. It is subdivided into three sub-branches: Nordic, Mediterranean, and Alpine.
Indo-Iranian Branch People of this branch are found in regions like Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and the Northwestern and Central parts of India.

Semite and Hamites This branch is located in Northern and Northeastern Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Jordan. According to the Hamitic theory, the Hamitic race was considered superior or more advanced than the Negroid population of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Mongoloid Race

The Mongoloid facial structure is adapted to cold and mild winds. Mongoloid populations reside in East Asia, and South-East Asia, and include Native Americans and Eskimos.
Christoph Meiners coined the term Mongolian race. Mongoloid people have a yellow complexion, which changes to light brown in South-Eastern Asia due to contact with the Australoid race.
They are characterized by oblique eyes, straight black hair, smaller foreheads, and an average height of 1.66 m. The Mongoloid race is divided into four main groups: Ancient Mongoloids, Arctic Mongoloids, American Indians, and Indonesian Mongoloids.
Ancient MongoloidsPeople of this group reside in North and Central China, Mongolia, and Tibet.
American Indians Red Indians of North and South America, exhibiting Mongoloid features.
Arctic Mongoloids are Inhabitants of sub-polar regions, including Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and Siberian Eskimos.
Indonesian Malay This group, found in Southern China, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, displays traits of Mongoloid, Caucasoid, and Australoid races.

Negroid Race

Commonly referred to as Black People, they possess the darkest skin tone, coarse black hair, and are known as woolly-haired people.
This group includes African Negro, Nilotic Negro, and Negrito (Pygmies) sub-races, known for their stamina and ability to thrive in adverse climatic conditions, including severe heat.
They are categorized into two main branches: the African branch and the Asian branch.

African Branch

People belonging to this branch are located in the Southern parts of the Sahara desert and are further subdivided into various sub-groups. The original Negroid population resides in areas stretching from the mouth of the Senegal River to the Eastern parts of Nigeria, including regions such as Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, etc.

Asian Branch

This branch encompasses the Dravida and Australoid groups. The Dravidian group is situated in Southern India, while the Australoid group is found in South-East Asia and Northern Australia. The Dravidian group includes tribes such as Gond and Oraon from Eastern India, whereas the Australoid group comprises tribes like Toda, Kadar, Kurumba, etc., from Southern India.

Tribes of the World

Approximately 90% of the world’s population resides in the Northern Hemisphere, with 60% in Asia alone, 30% in temperate regions (Europe), and only 1% beyond 60°N (Polar regions). UNESCO declared 1993 as the International Year of the World’s Indigenous People, with August 9th observed as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. India boasts one of the largest tribal populations globally.

Important tribes worldwide include:

Pygmies

Inhabitants of the tropical rainforests of the Zaire basin, such as Mabuti, Twa (Batwa), Viroga, and Gossera. They are nomadic hunters and gatherers, and Negrillas are characterized by their short stature.

Bora

An indigenous tribe of the Western Amazon basin and marginal areas of Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. They exhibit Mongoloid features and engage in primitive farming, known for their barbarous practices.

Sakai

Inhabitants of the forests of the Malay Peninsula and Malaysia, are characterized by fair complexion, high stature, slim body, and the use of blowpipes for hunting.

Semangato

Negrito ethnic groups of the Malay Peninsula, reside in hilly regions of Malaya, Andaman, Philippines, and Central Africa. They are hunters and gatherers with distinctive physical features.

Papuan

Residing in Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Ocean, similar to Pygmies with features like short stature and dark complexion. They practice farming and exhibit superstitious beliefs.

Bushmen

Primarily located in the Kalahari Desert (Namibia, Botswana, and Angola), their region now extends to Lesotho, Natal, and Zimbabwe. With features resembling both Negroes and Negritoes—short stature, non-protruded mouth, thick averted lips, and wide eyes—they are omnivores engaging in hunting and gathering. Unfortunately, their population is steadily decreasing.

Bedouin

Semi-nomadic Arab tribes historically inhabit desert regions in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Iraq. As pastoral people, they rear camels, sheep, goats, and horses, with those focusing on camels known as Ruwala.
Bedouins of Arabia, ride horses and reside in tents, in contrast with Sahara’s Tuaregs, camel riders dwell in a grass called zeriba. Gobi Mongols, relying on horses to herd yaks, lived in portable tents called Yurts. They maintain large animal flocks, participate in trade, and move with their herds to find water and green pastures. Dairy products, hides, leather, and various products are derived from their animals.

Masai

Nomadic herders from Kenya, Northern Tanganyika (Tanzania), and Eastern Uganda, the Masai constitute a blend of Mediterranean and Negroid people. Their huts, known as Krals, house a priest called Laibon. Rearing Zebu (humped cattle) for milk and blood supply, they consume blood but abstain from meat.

Kirghiz

Belonging to the Mongoloid race, Kirghiz traditionally inhabit the high plateaus of Tienshan and Pamir. Features include short stature, a robust build, yellow skin, coarse black hair, and oblique eyes. Engaged in herding, they produce Kumis—a wine made from rotten milk.

Eskimo

Inhabiting the tundra region from Alaska to Greenland, Eskimos belong to the Mongoloid race. The term ‘Eskimo’ translates to ‘Eaters of raw meat,’ while they refer to themselves as ‘Inuit,‘ meaning ‘real people.’
Hunting walrus, white deer, reindeer, and seals, they domesticate reindeer and use harpoons and umiak boats for whale hunting. With a unique style called Manpok and Ituarpok, their sled-drawn travel involves utilizing teams of dogs.
Migratory Eskimos dwell in Igloos (snow houses), with different names in Canada, Greenland, North Siberia, and Northern Europe.

Other World Tribes

Samoyeds: Residing in West Siberia, the Samoyeds belong to the Mongoloid race, engaging in hunting and animal husbandry without permanent shelter.
Yucagir: In the North-Eastern Siberian region between Verkhoyansk and Stanovoy hills, the Yucagir tribe, part of the Mongoloid race, focuses on hunting and fishing.
Punan: Found in Central Borneo, the Punan tribe’s primary occupations include farming and gathering.
Kazzak: Nomadic herders in Kazakhstan and the Si-kiang province of China.
Maya: Tribal Indians of Central America, the Maya people are farmers residing in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Maori: Polynesian tribes of New Zealand, engaging in hunting, farming, and gathering.
Magyar: Located in Romania, Yugoslavia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Ukraine, the Magyar people, also known as Hungarians, practice farming and speak the Hungarian language.
Boars: In the Orange Free State of South Africa, the Boars are herders and practice farming.
Zulu: Residing in the Natal province of South Africa, the Zulu people speak the Nguni language and practice farming and animal rearing.
Cosecs: Inhabiting the Northern parts of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea region, the Cosecs reside in Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Russia.
Afridi: A warrior and valorous tribe residing in the region of Pakistan between Safed Koh and Peshawar.
Tupiq: Found in Western Alaska and Eastern Russia.
Aborigines: Australoids and native people of Australia.
Red-Indian: Mongoloid racial stock distributed in various parts of North, Middle, and South America.
Bantu: Negritoes tribe found in Central Africa.
Dravidian: Caucasoid racial stock in Peninsular India.
Jarawa: Inhabitants of Andaman.
Lapp: Caucasoid group of people found in Northern Scandinavia, Sweden, Northern Finland, Norway, and the North-Western region of Russia.
Zulu: Bantu-speaking people of South Africa’s Cape Province.

Endangered Tribes of the World

Hadza: Residing in Tanzania with a population of merely 200, speaking a language similar to the Bushman.
Kung: Living in the Kalahari region, genetic and paleontological evidence suggests they once inhabited an extensive area of Africa.
Apache: A tribe in the plains of Oklahoma, USA, with a population of 1000, having migrated from Siberia.
Yanomami: A nearly extinct tribe found at the boundary of Brazil and Venezuela.
Yukagir: A Siberian tribe with a population of merely 2000, engaged in hunting reindeer.
Chukchi: A Palco-Asian language-speaking tribe residing in North-Eastern Siberia and North America.
Onge: A Negrito group tribe living in Andaman, with only 100 members, migrating to the region from Africa thousands of years ago.
Sentali: An endangered tribe of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Tribes Living in the Hilly Region

Region	Tribes
Chhotanagpur (India)	Kol, Santhal, Ho, Bhil
Nilgiri Hills (South India)	Toda
Sri Lanka	Vedda
Philippines	Etaz
Malaysia	Semang
Wales and Carnwaal (Wales	Wales
Scotland (UK)	Highlanders
France	Briton
Czech Republic and Slovakia	Slovak tribe
Ozark and Appalachian	Hill Billy
Region (USA)	Cracker
South Carolina (USA)	Sandhiller
Georgia (USA)	–

Prelims Facts

The most recent in the Homosapiens Species is – Cro-Magnon Humans (RAS/RTS (Pre) 1994)
Which continent is known as the cradle of Mankind’?- Africa (RAS/RTS (Pre) 2012)
Bantu tribes are found in East, Central, and Southern areas of – Africa [UPPSC (Pre) 2012)
Which racial group has the largest number of members? – Caucasoid [JPSC (Pre) 2011]
In which dense tropical forest does the Semang tribe live? – Malaysia [UPPSC (Mains) 2010]
Pygmies are tribes that are mainly- Hunters and Gatherers [UPPSC (Pre) 2005]
Which state was port of the erstwhile Soviet Union over which Kurdish population is spread? – Armenia [IAS (Pre) 1993]
The most common areas of nomadic herding are – Dry Areas [JPSC (Pre) 2013]
Which tribes practice nomadic herding for subsistence – Bedouin, Bakarwol and Khirghiz [APSC (Pre) 2016]
The original home of the gypsies was – India [IAS (Pre) 1995, UPPSC (Pre) 2016]
Zulu is a tribe associated with which country – South Africa [RAS (Pre) 1999, MPPSC (Pre) 2016)
The Inuit people are found in – Arctic regions of Canada, Denmark, Russia and Alaska [UPPSC (Mains) 2003]
What do you understand by the term Baiga? – Tribes of West Asia [JPSC (Pre) 2008)
In Latin America, a person of European and India mixed blood is called? – Mestizo (IAS (Pre) 1999
Which sub-species are related to Mongols?- Nordic (HPSC (Pre) 2012
Which desert are the Tuareg pastoralists from – Sahara (UPPSC (Pre) 2016)
What is Esperanto? – An artificial language two serve as a world language (BPSC (Pre) 1992, LIPPSC (Pre) 2010
Apart from India, Tamil is a major language in – Singapore [IAS (Pre) 2005, RAS/RTS (Pre) 2016]
Which racial group mainly found in North America? – Mongoloid [UPPSC (Pre) 2015
Which region is famous for Lapps tribe? – Scandinavia [UPPSC (Pre) 2010]
Eskimos are inhabitants of – Canada [BPSC (Pre) 2000]
The original homes of Gypsies were – India [IAS (Pre) 1995]
The Native African tribe Pygmies are found in which river basin! – Congo [BPSC (Pre) 2011]
The most common areas of nomadic herding are – Rainy areas [JPSC (Pre) 2013]
Which type of migration has contributed most in population movement in India? – Rural to Rural [CGPSC (Pre) 2018]
Seasonal movement of people and their herds from the valley to the mountain and vice-versa refers to – Transhumance [JPSC (Pre) 2013]

UPSC NCERT Practice Questions

1. Which of the following is considered to be the most recent?

(a) Heidelberg humans

(b) Cro-Magnon humans

(d) Neanderthal humans

2. Which continent is known as ‘the Cradle of Mankind’?

(a) Asia

(b) Africa

(d) South America

3. Within biological communities, some species are important in determining the ability of a large number of other species to persist in the community. Such species are called IAS (Pre) 2000, UPPSC (Pre) 2012

(a) Keystone species

(b) Allopatric species

(d) Threatened species

4. Which racial group has the largest number of members? JPSC (Pre) 2011

(a) Negroid

(b) Mongoloid

(d) Caucasoid

5. The native African tribe ‘Pygmies’ are found in which of the following river basins? BPSC (Pre) 2001, MPPSC (Pre) 2015

(a) Niger

(b) Congo

(d) Zambezi

6. Which desert are the Tuareg pastoralists from? UPPSC (Pre) 2016

(a) Kalahari

(b) Sahara

(d) Patagonia

7. The Inuit people are not found in UPPSC (Mains) 2009

(a) Alaska

(b) Greenland

(d) Sweden

8. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched? UPPSC (Pre) 2001

(a) Eskimo : Canada

(b) Oraon: Japan

(d) Gonds: Africa

9. To which of the following racial groups the natives of North America belong? UPPSC (Pre) 2015

(a) Austric

(b) Caucasoid

(d) Negroid

10. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists. BPSC (Pre) 2000, UPPSC (Pre) 2009

List I (Tribes)	List II (Countries)
A. Eskimo	1. Botswana
B. Masai	2. Saudi Arabia
C. Bedouins	3. Canada
D. Bushmen	4. Kenya

Codes

A B C D A B C D

(a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 4 3 2 1

11. Which of the following tribes practices nomadic herding for subsistence? APSC (Pre) 2016

(a) Bedouin

(b) Bakarwal

(d) All of these

12. The original home of the Gypsies was IAS (Pre) 1995, UPPSC (Pre) 2016

(a) Egypt

(b) Russia

(d) Persia

13. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched? UPPSC (Pre) 2019

Tribes Places

(a) Pygmy: Congo Basin

(b) Angami: Nagaland

(d) Khirghiz: Sudan

14. The most common areas of nomadic herding are JPSC (Pre) 2013

(a) hot humid regions

(b) old humid regions

(d) dry areas

15. Which one of the following pairs is incorrectly matched? BPSC (Pre) 2020

(a) Masai: Central Eastern Asia

(b) Sakai: Malaysia

(d) Khirghiz: Central Asia

16. Which of the following pairs are not correctly matched? UPPSC (Pre) 2011

(a) Fulani-West Africa

(b) Bantu-Sahara

(d) Nuba-Sudan

Know Right Answer

1. (b)

2. (b)

3. (a)

4. (d)

5. (b)

6. (b)

7. (d)

8. (a)

9. (c)

10. (c)

11. (d)

12. (c)

13. (d)

14. (d)

15. (b)

16. (b)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Question: What is the significance of studying the diversity of Races and Tribes in Geography for the UPSC exam?

Answer: Understanding the diversity of Races and Tribes is crucial in Geography for several reasons. Firstly, it helps in comprehending the cultural, social, and economic variations across different regions. This knowledge is essential for aspirants as the UPSC exam often includes questions related to the impact of such diversities on regional development, resource utilization, and governance. Additionally, awareness of the distribution of various tribes and races aids in grasping the historical aspects of human settlements, migration patterns, and the evolution of societies over time.

2. Question: How do the geographical features influence the distribution and lifestyle of tribes in India?

Answer: Geographical features play a pivotal role in shaping the distribution and lifestyle of tribes in India. The diverse topography, climate, and ecosystems contribute to the development of distinct cultures and livelihoods among different tribal communities. For example, tribes in hilly regions may have unique agricultural practices and housing styles adapted to the terrain, while those in forested areas might rely heavily on forest resources for sustenance. Understanding these geographical influences is crucial for UPSC aspirants as questions often assess the correlation between geography and socio-cultural aspects in the context of tribes.

3. Question: How have government policies impacted the socio-economic status of tribal communities in India?

Answer: Government policies have had a profound impact on the socio-economic status of tribal communities in India. The UPSC often includes questions related to the evaluation of these policies. Some policies have aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of tribes, while others have focused on their economic upliftment. It is crucial for aspirants to be aware of landmark policies, such as the Panchsheel Agreement and the Forest Rights Act, and analyze their implications on tribal communities. This knowledge helps in providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by tribes, enabling aspirants to critically evaluate policy interventions during the exam.

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UPSC NCERT Notes – Geography – Races and Tribes