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@article{189965,
        author = {Dr. Pramod Kumar Janoliya},
        title = {Tradition, Territory, and Transformation: A Geographical Study of Cultural Change among the Bhil Tribe},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {2557-2562},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=189965},
        abstract = {The Bhil tribe, one of the largest indigenous communities in India, inhabits a complex geographical landscape spanning the rugged terrains of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. This paper investigates the nuanced shifts in the cultural geography of the Bhils in the Jhabua and Alirajpur districts of Madhya Pradesh. Traditionally characterized by a symbiotic relationship with the forest and a dispersed settlement pattern known as phaliya, the Bhil cultural landscape is currently undergoing a profound transformation. Drawing on primary field data collected from 150 households, this study utilizes a mixed-methods approach to analyze the drivers of change—ranging from seasonal distress migration to the penetration of digital technologies and market-led agriculture. Our findings reveal a dualistic trend: while core ritualistic elements like the Gadvade and Pithora art persist as markers of identity, the material culture and linguistic nuances are eroding under the pressure of socio-economic integration. The study highlights a significant generational shift in aspirations, where the youth are increasingly distancing themselves from ancestral forest-based livelihoods in favor of precarious urban labor. By mapping these transitions, the paper argues for a more culturally sensitive approach to tribal development that recognizes the spatiality of Bhil traditions while addressing the structural inequities driving forced cultural assimilation.},
        keywords = {Bhil Tribe, Cultural Geography, Human-Environment Interaction, Migration, Jhabua, Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Erosion, Livelihood Transition.},
        month = {January},
        }