Social Condition of the Malayali Tribes: Origin Etymology of Jawadhi Hills the Word “Tribe” – A Study

Abstract

The word “Tribe” has been derived from the Latin word “Tribus” which means one of the divisions of the ancient Roman people. Etymologically, the term tribe derives its origin from the word ‘tribes’ meaning three divisions. For the Romans, the tribe was a political division. In the western world as also in India, the term ‘tribe’ had totally different connotation than what is prevalent now. The tribe was the highest political unit comprising several districts, which in turn were composed of clans. It occupied a definite geographical are and exercised control over its people. Permanent settlement in a particular area gave geographical different to ‘tribes’. The territory under the domain of a particular tribe was generally named after it. It is believed that India derived its name, Bharat from the mighty Bharat tribe.