The tribal people observe their festivals, which have no direct conflict with any religion, and they conduct marriage among them according to their tribal custom. They have their own way of life to maintain all privileges in matters connected with marriage and succession, according to their customary tribal faith. In keeping with the nature of
Indian religion generally, these particular religions often involve traditions of
ancestor worship or worship of spirits of natural features. The various tribes can be categorised into different major linguistic groupings, such as
Indo-Aryan,
Dravidian,
Austroasiatic,
Tibeto-Burman, and
Andamanese. About 25% of the
Munda people and
Oraon people, and 60% of the
Kharia people of Jharkhand (population about 130,000), are Christian. Altogether, 43% of
Kharia population is Hindu while 46% is Christian. However, almost two-thirds (63%) of the
Santhal, over 40% of
Munda and
Ho tribal population are Hindus. Tribal groups in the
Himalayas were similarly affected by both
Hinduism and
Buddhism in the late 20th century. The small hunting-and-gathering groups in the union territory of
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been under severe pressure of cultural assimilation. ==Recognition==