Over generations, tribal peoples have developed complex systems to live well, together, on their land. They may be poor in monetary terms but tribal people living on their own lands are rich in other ways. They have good reason to be proud of their communities and the ways of life they have chosen.

We don’t want to go to the city and we don’t want to buy food. We get it free here.Malari Pusaka, Dongria Kondh

Life expectancy now is around 60 to 65 years. Before it was 80 to 90 years. It’s because before [our access to our forest was restricted] we ate tubers, fruits, and other forest products, whereas now the Soliga diet is bad.Madegowda, Soliga

You take us to be poor, but we’re not. We produce many kinds of grains with our own efforts, and we don’t need money. Baba Mahariya, Bhil

We say, ‘you don’t have to take care of us. We’ll take care of ourselves. We’ll lead our lives the way we know.’Arjun Chandi, Majhi Kondh