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| [[File:Young Baiga women, India.jpg|200px|thumb|{{wp|Kurukh people|Banan}} women wearing traditional attire in [[Margachala]], [[Arthasthan]].]] | | {{Infobox country |
| The '''Vanavasi''' is a collective term applied to {{wp|tribe|tribal}} groups within [[Satria]], particularly within [[Arthasthan]]. It refers to {{wp|Autochthonous peoples}} who live in traditional {{wp|clan}}-based tribal and village communities that are sheltered from wider Satrian society because of intentional or unintentional isolation.
| | |conventional_long_name = Republic of Austeria |
| | |native_name = ''Republika e Austerisë'' |
| | {{collapsible list |
| | |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:84%; |
| | |title = Other names |
| | | {{Infobox|subbox=yes|bodystyle=font-size:77%;font-weight:normal; |
| | | rowclass1 = mergedrow | label1 = {{wp|Bosnian language|Verioret}}: |
| | | data1 = ''Republika Austerija'' |
| | | rowclass2 = mergedrow | label2 = [[Montsurian language|Montsurian]]: |
| | | data2 = ''Republika Austeria'' |
| | | rowclass3 = mergedrow | label3 = {{wp|Italian language|Etrurian}}: |
| | | data3 = ''Repubblica d'Austeria'' |
| | }}}} |
| | |common_name = Austeria |
| | |image_flag = Gibany.png |
| | |alt_flag = [[Flag of Galenia|Flag]] |
| | |image_coat = Gibanycoa.png |
| | |alt_coat = |
| | |symbol_type = |
| | |national_motto = "Trimëri, vëllazëri dhe liri" ({{wpl|Albanian language|Tethian}}) |
| | |national_anthem = Liberty<br>''"Liri"''<br> |
| | [[File:MediaPlayer.png|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzf2jeMKEhk|200px]] |
| | |royal_anthem = |
| | |other_symbol_type = |
| | |other_symbol = |
| | |image_map = Gibanymapeuclea.png |
| | |map_width = 275px |
| | |alt_map = |
| | |map_caption = |
| | |image_map2 = |
| | |map2_width = |
| | |alt_map2 = |
| | |map_caption2 = |
| | |capital = [[File:Karthaflag.png|28px]] [[Kartha]] |
| | |latd= | latm= | latNS = |
| | |longd= |longm= |longEW = |
| | |largest_city = [[File:Karthaflag.png|28px]] [[Kartha]] |
| | |largest_settlement = |
| | |largest_settlement_type = city |
| | |official_languages = {{wp|Albanian language|Tethian}}<br>{{hlist|style=font-size: 85%;|({{wpl|Gheg Albanian|Çuk}}|{{wpl|Tosk Albanian|Kolm}})}} |
| | |national_languages = *{{wp|Bosnian language|Verioret}} |
| | *[[Montsurian language|Montsurian]] |
| | *{{wp|Italian language|Etrurian}} |
| | |regional_languages = |
| | |languages_type = |
| | |languages = |
| | |ethnic_groups = *52% Galenians |
| | *21% Verioret |
| | *14% Montsurians |
| | *7% Etrurians |
| | *5% Coian |
| | *1% Other |
| | |ethnic_groups_year = 2020 |
| | |religion = *62% [[Irfan|Irfanic]] |
| | *25% [[Solarian Catholic Church|Solarian Catholic]] |
| | *8% Non-affiliated |
| | *4% [[Episemialist Church|Episemialists]] |
| | *1% Others |
| | |religion_year = 2020 |
| | |demonym = Austerian |
| | |legislature = [[Senate of Austeria|Senate]] |
| | |upper_house = |
| | |lower_house = |
| | |government_type = {{wp|Unitary state|Unitary}} {{wp|parliamentary system|parliamentary}} {{wp|Republic|constitutional republic}} |
| | |leader_title1 = [[President of Austeria|President]] |
| | |leader_name1 = [[Nertilian Bushaj]] |
| | |leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Austeria|Prime Minister]] |
| | |leader_name2 = [[Hershor Dreshaj]] |
| | |leader_title3 = [[President of the Senate of Austeria|President of the Senate]] |
| | |leader_name3 = [[Xhuàn Patrè]] |
| | |sovereignty_type = History of Austeria |
| | |established_event1 = Austerian Principalities |
| | |established_date1 = 1252 |
| | |established_event2 = Kingdom of Maqil |
| | |established_date2 = 1472 |
| | |established_event3 = Annexation into Etruria |
| | |established_date3 = 1789 |
| | |established_event4 = [[First Republic of Galenia|First Republic]] |
| | |established_date4 = 1801 |
| | |established_event5 = Reannexation into Etruria |
| | |established_date5 = 1854 |
| | |established_event6 = Independence from [[Etruria]] |
| | |established_date6 = 1946 |
| | |established_event7 = Current constitution |
| | |established_date7 = 1956 |
| | |area_rank = |
| | |area_magnitude = |
| | |area = |
| | |area_km2 = 62,532 |
| | |area_sq_mi = |
| | |area_footnote = |
| | |percent_water = |
| | |area_label = |
| | |area_label2 = |
| | |area_dabodyalign = |
| | |population_estimate = 12,270,164 |
| | |population_estimate_rank = |
| | |population_estimate_year = 2020 |
| | |population_census = |
| | |population_census_year = |
| | |population_density_km2 = 182.75 |
| | |population_density_sq_mi = |
| | |population_density_rank = |
| | |GDP_PPP = $226 billion |
| | |GDP_PPP_rank = |
| | |GDP_PPP_year = 2020 |
| | |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $19,767 |
| | |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = |
| | |GDP_nominal = $193 billion |
| | |GDP_nominal_rank = |
| | |GDP_nominal_year = 2020 |
| | |GDP_nominal_per_capita = $16,938 |
| | |GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = |
| | |Gini = 42.4 |
| | |Gini_rank = |
| | |Gini_year = 2020 |
| | |Gini_category = |
| | |HDI = 0.850 |
| | |HDI_rank = |
| | |HDI_year = 2020 |
| | |HDI_category = |
| | |currency = Galenian Flori |
| | |currency_code = TRF (ƒ) |
| | |time_zone = |
| | |utc_offset = |
| | |time_zone_DST = |
| | |antipodes = |
| | |date_format = dd/mm/yyyy |
| | |DST_note = |
| | |utc_offset_DST = |
| | |drives_on = right |
| | |cctld = .ga |
| | |iso3166code = GAL |
| | |calling_code = +101 |
| | |image_map3 = |
| | |alt_map3 = |
| | |footnotes = |
| | |footnote1 = |
| | |footnote2 = |
| | |footnote7 = |
| | }} |
| | '''Austeria''', officially the '''Republic of Austeria''' ({{wp|Albanian language|Tethian}}: ''Republika e Austerisë''), is a sovereign state located in southern [[Euclea]] bordered by [[Etruria]] to the north and surrounded by the Acheloian Sea to the south and west and the Solarian Sea to the east. Austeria has a population of 12 million people. The capital and most populous city is [[Kartha]]. |
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| Due to the collective nature of the term, Vanavasi covers a diverse range of different ethnocultural groups. It includes {{wp|Indo-European peoples|Sataro-Euclean}} peoples, {{wp|Dravidian peoples|Tankari}} peoples, and several other groups including isolated peoples. While Vanavasi populations are present across Satria, their presence is most significant in [[Arthasthan]] where they make up ~9% of the total population. Vanivasi presence in Arthasthan is concentrated in the autonomous self-governing [[Central Peoples' State]] (CPS). Exact numbers of Vanivasi are hard to quantify due to the difficulty with censusing such communities which are often geographically isolated, {{wp|illiteracy|illiterate}}, distrustful of outsiders, and face language barriers.
| | Historically, Austeria has been controlled by different civilisations over time, mainly the [[Piraea|Piraeans]], [[Solarian Empire|Solarians]], [[Empire of Arciluco|Amathians]], and the [[Etruria|Etrurians]]. The first recorded settlements in Austeria was originally inhabited by the Gadishullorian tribes, but the first walled settlement was founded by Piraeans in the 5th century BCE, which would become the city of Kartha. In the 2nd century BCE, [[Irfan]] arrived by oceanic trade networks from [[Coius]] and established itself as the major religion. They would be in regular conflict with Pirean city-states until it was conquered by the Solarian Empire in the 2nd century BCE. Under the [[Solarian Empire]] and its successor the [[Empire of Arciluco]], the peninsula was a major center for trade from [[Coius]]. After the end of Arcilucan influence, the region was thrown into religious turmoil by the [[Iconoclast Wars]]. The conflict allowed the Irfanic Maqil Kingdom from modern day [[Tsabara]] to establish itself on the peninsula. The Maqil fought with Povelia for control of the region until both states were annexed by the [[Etrurian First Republic]] during the [[Etrurian Revolution]]. Austeria briefly gained independence as a {{wp|revolutionary republic}} in 1801 before it was reannexed by the restored monarchy of Etruria in 1855. However this brief period of independence sparked a national awakening known as the Austerian Renaissance, beginning a period of nationalist sentiment and agitation. After the rise of the functionalist [[Greater Solarian Republic]], Irfanic communities across to the gegion were subject to a [[Irfanic genocide|genocide]] of forced deportations to concentration camps in Austeria. Following the end of the [[Solarian War]], the modern state of Austeria declared independence in 1946. The republic was briefly supplanted by an ultranationalist dictatorship before [[Kristaq Kotta]] restored the republic and established the current Republic of Austeria. |
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| As a result of their separation from wider Satrian society, Vanivasi groups have developed their own unique cultural and religious practices unlike those practiced by the urban majority. This separation has brought with it issues in the modern era, such as a low standard of living, shorter lifespans, and a high {{wp|Infant mortality|infant mortality rate}}. Furthermore Vanivasi are often stereotyped as savage or uncivilized and are subjected to cultural and economic discrimination outside of the CPS. While Vanivasi land is protected from outside actors, Vanivasi-led economic interests in {{wp|agriculture}}, {{wp|forestry}}, and {{wp|mining}} pose disruption for other tribes. Economic development and urbanization threaten to disrupt the Vanavasi's traditional lifestyles. | | As of the 1956 constitution, Austeria is a {{wp|Unitary state|unitary}} {{wp|parliamentary system|parliamentary}} {{wp|Republic|constitutional republic}} with a [[President of Galenia|president]] elected every four years as both {{wp|head of state}} and {{wp|head of government}}. Legislative power is vested in the unicameral [[Senate of Austeria|Senate]], led by a Prime Minister appointed by the President. The country is rife with corruption and is considered one of the most corrupt in Euclea. The Austerian economy is heavily based in the {{wp|service sector|service}}, {{wp|international trade}}, and {{wp|tourism sector|tourism}} sectors. Galenia is considered one of the most visited countries in Euclea and the world due to its lush beaches and summer resorts. Other major sectors of the economy is agriculture, especially wine production, and beer {{wp|brewery|brewing}}. The government has a considerable control on the country's economy, holding shares in key-sectors of the economy Galenia is an active member of the [[Community of Nations]], [[International Council for Democracy]] and the [[International Trade Organisation]]. The country is currently in the process of joining the [[Euclean Community]]. |
| ==Name==
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| The name ''Vanavasi'' is derived from the {{wp|sanskrit|Parbhan}} ''"vanavāsi"'' (forest dwellers), a compound of ''vana'' meaning forests and ''vāsin'', meaning dweller or inhabitant. The term ''girijan'' (mountain people) has also been applied to tribal peoples in hilly our mountainous areas, but has not received the same level of official recognition. During [[Etruria|Etrurian]] rule, the Vanavasi were known as ''aborigeni'' (aboriginals), while in {{wp|English language|Estmerish}} the term ''Satrian aborigines'' was archaically used before the adoption of the term Vanivasi.
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| The use of the term ''Vanavasi'' has received criticism from Vanavasi rights activists and several modern {{wp|anthropologists}} as being a product of the pejorative view of such peoples taken both by the [[Satria Etruriana|colonial administration]] and post-independence governments, dismissing their rich cultural heritage and labelling them as forest peoples in a way which implies concepts such as "primitiveness" and even savagery. This has led to a promotion of the term {{wp|aboriginal peoples}} to describe Vanivasi peoples, which recognises their status as original inhabitants of Satria and is seen to be less negatively charged.
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| ==Demographics==
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| [[File:2019 Census Vanavasi distribution map by state.png|200px|thumb|The Central Peoples' State (in red), the self governing territory of the Vanavasi.]]
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| There are conflicting numbers of Vanavasi tribes to be officially recognised. Under the categories put in place by the government of [[Arthasthan]], there are 56 officially recognised Vanavasi tribes (VT). This figure, however, is rejected by the [[All-Satrian Aboriginal People's Rally]] as too overly broad, arguing that it ignores the culture differences of several tribal subgroups and groups which identify with aboriginal status despite semi or total urbanisation. According to the ASAPR, the number is closer to 100 such tribes in Arthasthan and several in other Satrian states.
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| [[Arthasthan]] is the nation with the highest population of Vanavasi peoples, with 13% of the total population or almost 14 million people. The largest concentration of Vanavasi people is found within the mountainous highlands and forested interior of [[Central Peoples' State]], the self-governing administrative division established for the Vanavasi. The population of the CPS includes {{wp|Dravidian peoples|Tankari}} peoples such as the {{wp|Kurukh people|Banan}} present, as well as {{wp|Indo-Aryan peoples|Sataro-Euclean}} peoples such as the {{wp|Lambari people|Gorboli}}. The southwest region of the CPS is home to the {{wp|Andamese people|Maucho}} peoples, who speak isolated languages and are believed to have been the original inhabitants of eastern Satria before the arrival of the Tankari peoples.
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| The east of the country has a higher concentration of Tankari Vanavasi peoples, with all the Vanavasi in the western regions of the CPS being Tankari. This concentration becomes lower in the north, though Tankari groups are still predominant. In the south of the country, while some Tankari groups are present, most Vanavasi are of {{wp|Indo-Aryan peoples|Sataro-Euclean}} descent and speak {{wp|Indo-Aryan languages|Sataro-Euclean}} languages.
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| ==History==
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| ===Origins===
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| The origins of the Vanavasi are varied between the different cutural groups that share the label, but generally can be traced back to the fall of the [[Sattar Valley Civilisation]] and first migrations of {{wp|Indo-European peoples|Sataro-Euclean peoples}} into the [[Sattar valley]]. The SVC, which is generally believed to have been genetically related to the modern {{wp|Dravidian peoples|Tankari}} peoples, is believed to have collapsed as a result of both environmental factors such as {{wp|drought}} and manmade factors such as {{wp|warfare}}. While other {{wp|proto-Dravidian|proto-Tankari}} civilisations are attested, this breakdown of the large urbanised culture is believed to have precipitated a regression in much of [[Satria]] to {{wp|hunter-gatherer}} and {{wp|nomadic}}-{{wp|pastoralist}} lifestyles. When Sataro-Euclean peoples arrived around 1800 BCE, they would settle by conquest as well as assimilation and form new settlements within Satria. Other groups were also present in the area during this period.
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| ===Ancient Satria===
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| The migration of nomadic {{wp|Indo-European peoples|Sataro-Euclean}} warrior-aristocracies from modern day [[Zorasan]] brought with it a new social structure and belief system, [[Bhaga]]. The Vanavasi remained relatively separate from this belief system, living in isolated areas and rarely interacting with the new states. When they did, it usually came in the form of warfare, with subjugated Vanavasi people typically occupying a low rank within society. The emergence of [[Ashrama]] as a religious movement in opposition replaced Bhaga as the dominant belief system, bringing with it the ideas of [[Jati]]. Under the criterion of Jati, the Vanavasi were initially regarded as being second-tier beings as they were not in a state of formal {{wp|peonage|bondage}}. This theological classification allowed the Vanavasi to be left alone for much of the [[Ashramic period]], and facilitated the emergence of Vanavasi statelets which often coexisted with the dominions of Ashramic rulers. While the Vanavasi often practiced {{wp|communal land ownership}} and lived within more egalitarian societies than the urbanised Satrians, in some areas Vanavasi aristocracies were present. Some such states, such as [[Tiduakkanan]] in modern day [[Madhya Pradesh]], even counted among their dominon non-Vanavasi subjects.
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| ===Medieval Satria===
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| [[File:A royal Rajput procession.jpg|200px|thumb|An {{wp|Rajput|Aditha}} king and his army in a procession, from a mural in [[Ujarkot Fort]].]]
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| The rise of the [[Sangma dynasty]] as a central, if loose, political authority over the majority of [[Satria]] brought several challenges to the Vanavasi. In many areas, the local Vanavasi rulers were forced to swear alliegance to the Sangma dynasty or their local {{wp|Thakur}}. Despite this, the Sangma made few forays into the day to day lives of the Vanavasi, who were simply seen to be benign and not worth the effort that would be required to directly conquer them. Several tribes, such as the [[Tadvi]] of southeast Arthasthan, were renowned as warriors and scouts and provided {{wp|mercenaries}} to serve within the armies of the Sangma. However, the Sangma era also saw several attempts at proselytism among the Vanavasi by both [[Ashrama]] and [[Tulyata]] missionaries, who sought to spread their faith. An example of this is that of [[Mahaguru Dubu Bai]], a Vanavasi [[Mahaguru]] who led the conversion of his tribe to [[Ashrama]] around 100 CE.
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| As Sangma authority was weakened by the succession of civil wars, some Ashramised Vanavasi sought to improve their tribe's status to that of a Thakurate as opposed to being deemed as outsiders. This was especially important in the light of [[Jati]], which recognised the aristocracy of Thakurates and other landed states to be higher in caste than those of the Vanavasi tribes. In order to gain this prestige, a Vanavasi chief would invite [[Ashrama]] clergy to his court, where they would help establish the trappings of a [[Thakurate]] and then, if this process were successful, declare the chief to be part of a more noble [[Ashrama#Reincarnation|chain of reincarnation]] and change his recognised caste status. This process, referred to as {{wp|Rajputization|Adigathakura}}, was responsible for the creation of a significant number of smaller states, as well as a warrior caste in its own right. This situation remained constant during the periods which succeeded the [[Sangma dynasty]], such as the [[Arthasthan Confederacy]] and [[Togoti Khaganate]].
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| ===Colonial period===
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| [[File:GeorgeEdwardGrey01.jpg|200px|thumb|[[Eugenio Passariello]], the governor associated with the preservation of Vanavasi culture.]]
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| The advent of colonial rule did not immediately affect the livelihoods of the Vanavasi, with the policies of apathetic, laissez-faire rule of the [[Arthasthan Confederacy]] being more or less preserved. The Vanavasi were seen as a sort of exotic fascination to many of the colonists, who elevated them to an almost fantastic status with stories of egalitarian jungle paradises and beautiful warrior princesses. This attitude, which was in many ways a polar opposite to the stance taken towards [[Bahian Fetishism|fetishist]] [[Bahia|Bahians]] during the [[Toubacterie|colonial period]], was likely a product of several factors such as the comparatively small numbers of Vanavasi and their attitude of isolation as opposed to resistance. The lower prevalence of violent rituals has also been blamed, with the idea of peaceful, tree-worshipping {{wp|silvans}} appealing to the romantic sensibilities of much of the colonial administration. Despite this, clashes between Vanavasi and the colonial administration did occur and were occasionally highly violent, such as the [[Banjara massacre]] which saw the slaughter of a {{wp|Lambadi people|Gorboli}} tribe over their control of iron deposits. Some Vanavasi were recruited into the colonial armies, serving primarily as scouts and messengers. | |
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| An important figure in the colonial period for his defence of Vanavasi rights was {{wp|Governor}} [[Eugenio Passariello]], the second governor of colonial Arthasthan. Passariello was a {{wp|liberal}}, and his staunchly [[Solarian Catholic Church|Catholic]] upbringing led him to value missionary efforts. The Vanavasi were seen to be more open to missionary work, given their comparative lack of established religion. Passariello, who held the position of governor from 1865 until his death in 1887, set a precedence for non-intervention within Vanavasi affairs aside from religious missionary work and is often credited with preserving their culture in a way few other colonial governors did. Passariello was also influential for his personal interest in the discipline of {{wp|anthropology}} which was still a fledgling academic field. Several anthropological studies were conducted, with [[Giovenzio D'Intino]]'s ''[[Strutture politiche e sociali degli Aborigeni satriani]]'' being considered among the founding texts which defined ethnography as a tool of research.
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| ===Later colonial period===
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| ===After independence===
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| ==Religion==
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| [[File:Holy Prayer.jpg|200px|thumb|Sarna grove worshippers in [[Margachala]]]]
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| The Vanavasi follow a diverse range of religions, ranging from traditional pre-[[Bhaga|Bhagic]] systems of worship to {{wp|Folk religion|folk Ashram}}, [[Irfan]] and [[Sotirianity]]. Many of the traditional Vanavasi belief systems are highly unique in their geographic setting, lacking concepts such as {{wp|reincarnation}} as seen in the vast majority of Satrian faiths. The majority of Vanavasi faiths are classified by {{wp|anthropologists}} as forms of {{wp|animism}}, centering on the presence of nature spirits which inhabit geographic localities and which are believed to be able to influence the material world. Many of these belief systems have been widely documented by {{wp|anthropology|anthropological}} studies, such as the practice of {{wp|Sarna sthal|Sarna}} worship, which revolves around the appeasement of forest spirits called ''Daha paoco'' in order to ward off bad luck. One of the more established Vanavasi faiths is that of [[Kadawism]], which is believed to be descended from the traditional faith of the {{wp|Dravidian peoples|Tankari peoples}} with substantial influence from [[Ashrama]], though several academics have theorised that the relationship could have been more mutual with Tankari beliefs influencing the development of Ashrama. Kadawists believe in reincarnation, but also incoroprate distinctly animist methods of worship.
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| The Vanavasi have often been subjected to efforts to force conversion, as well as pacifistic missionary efforts. Under the [[Sangma dynasty]], there are numerous records of entire tribes of Vanavasi being converted to [[Tulyata]] or [[Ashrama]] by saints, while the presence of [[Irfan]] among the some northern Vanavasi groups reveals that this faith too made inroads in some areas. During the period of [[Euclea|Euclean]] rule, significant efforts were made to convert the Vanavasi to [[Sotirianity]] with mixed successes. These missionary projects were especially successful in [[Auttamasaripa]], where the majority of the Vanavasi peoples follow the [[Episemialist Church]] due to missionary efforts operating out of [[Soravia|Soravian]] [[Kassar]]. In the modern day, {{wp|Charismatic churches|Charismatic}} [[Amendist]] movements maintain missionary efforts, as well as several Ashramic and Irfanic groups.
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| ==Modern issues==
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| ===Economic deprivation===
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| [[File:Breakfast making in adivasi village, Umaria district, India.jpg|200px|thumb|A Vanavasi woman making breakfast. Many Vanavasi live off very staple diets due to poverty.]]
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| Vanavasi communities conventionally operate under an economic model centred upon {{wp|subsistence agriculture}}, with limited trading with outside communities in order to acquire staples such as {{wp|salt}} and metal tools in return for artesan items and fruits. This economic model has remained constant for centuries, but is threatened in the modern era by the expansion of industry into forested areas which has led to {{wp|habitat destruction}} and ecological imbalances. This disrupts the food chain in such areas, making hunting less feasible. The destruction of forests has also affected agriculture, forcing many traditional methods to be abandoned. Advances in farming technology have helped some Vanavasi communities, but the cost of technology like {{wp|tractors}} is still prohibitively expensive for many tribal communities. Land purchases and siezures have been especially destructive to Vanavasi communities, as many have been forced to leave their traditional lands and seek refuge either in new areas or even in more urbanised rural settings. Amidst this, many Vanavasi men have decided to move to the cities and take up manual labour positions in order to secure a wage and support their communities this way. Such workers often face discrimination and are underpaid, and as they are predominantly illiterate they are unable to contest their working conditions. The growth of {{wp|tourism}} in [[Satria]] following detente between [[Ajahadya]] and its neighbours has resulted in the growth of demand for artesian Vanavasi craftworks and art, which has given some Vanavasi communities a new source of revenue.
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| The Vanavasi face economic deprivation according to all published metrics used to measure economic success. In the 2019 census, 53% of Vanavasi households were classified as being in the lowest income bracket, as opposed to roughly 8% of non-tribal households. While such indicators are low across rural communities in general, the Vanavasi face greater levels of discrimination and are often significantly poorer than other rural communities. For example, as most Vanavasi do not have complete identification papers it can be hard for them to gain access to {{wp|food stamps}} or other government welfare programs aimed at tackling rural poverty. Vanavasi households are very large, meaning that parents have more mouths to feed and resources are more stretched. Due to educational issues, very few Vanavasi are able to seek high-paying employment, leading to a lack of precedence and so-called {{wp|generational poverty}}. | |
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| ===Education===
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| [[File:Sanjarangbodoschool.jpg|200px|thumb|A protest at a Vanavasi school in [[Machadesh]]. Low funding and poor resources in such schools are a source of tension.]]
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| Vanavasi face many issues pertaining to unequal access to education. As Vanavasi communities are mainly located in isolated, rural areas, it can be hard to find teachers willing to take up such placements. This means that many Vanavasi communities are forced to provide their own teachers, many of whom have not received long term formal education themselves. While the [[Rural Schooling Law, 1951|Rural Schooling Law]] was repealed in 1958, it resulted in a breach of trust between many Vanavasi and the state education system. Its replacement, the [[Tribal School Provisioning Bill, 1960|Tribal School Provisioning Bill]], mandated the construction of new schools in rural areas which would allow Vanavasi to learn {{wp|Bhojpuri language|Samundrese}} and gain basic {{wp|literacy}} and {{wp|numeracy}} skills, while also permitting instruction in their tribal languages. This policy struggled due to the lack of teachers who spoke tribal languages, as the vast majority of those who had left their communities and attended public schooling did not wish to return to their old villages and were employed in new industries. This resulted in a recruitment drive for teachers, as well as promises of grants to teachers who learnt tribal languages and worked in tribal areas. While this improved the situation somewhat, the Tribal Schools still suffered from chronic underfunding and teacher shortages. Several scandals surrounding {{wp|sexual assault}} and {{wp|physical abuse}} in government schools increased the lack of engagement by Vanavasi communities, with many withholding their children.
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| The election of the [[Alternative for Democracy (Arthasthan)|Alternative for Democracy]] government in the early 2000s saw the first major policy moves to improve the situation in tribal schools for almost 40 years, as the government consulted with the [[Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples]] and local tribal elders in order to determine an approach which could help rectify the issues. A major issue which these leaders raised was fears that government schools would lead to an erosion of the traditional cultural practices and lead to a destruction of Vanavasi identity. What was instituted was a community-driven educational model wherein traditional knowledges would be taught alongside conventional subjects such as {{wp|mathematics}} and {{wp|geography}}. Despite this initiative, which was accompanied by a significant increase in funding for rural and tribal schools, Vanavasi are still disadvantaged in the educational sector. School attendance rates for Vanavasi between the ages of 5 and 12 are estimated to be 63%, counting community-run village schools, with attendance dropping off significantly at older ages. For example, only 3% of Vanavasi attend {{wp|university}}, and even here the drop-out rate is high. This has led to high rates of illiteracy, with only 52% of Vanavasi males being functionally literate. The rate is even lower among females, who face added obstacles to schooling such as {{wp|child marriage}} and domestic responsibilities.
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| ===Healthcare===
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| [[File:Mobile health clinic with arr.jpg|200px|thumb|A mobile health unit in [[Pattinnarana]], one of the initiatives aimed at tackling healthcare inequalities.]]
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| Healthcare statistics among Vanavasi are consistently poor. The average {{wp|lifespan}} for Vanavasi males is 63 years, which is ten years less than the same figure for the average Arthasthani male. For females, the average lifespan is 66 years, which is nine years lower than the average. Vanavasi also suffer far higher rates of {{wp|infant mortality}} at birth, as well as sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), and from higher mortality rates for preventable diseases such as {{wp|influenza}}. These issues predominantly stem from a drastic lack in medical care in tribal areas. Only two hospitals are operational in Vanavasi-dominated rural areas, and these both suffer from underfunding and lacks of even basic medical supplies. Most Vanavasi must seek out help in urban hospitals, which is often a difficult task due to the remote nature of their settlements. There is a significant lack of medical practitioners who are able to speak tribal languages, which further complicates matters and makes descriptions of symptoms worse. Even among people of Vanavasi descent in urban areas, those with Vanavasi last names often found themselves passed over in waitlists for medical procedures. Inability to access medicines is another key issue, with widely available anti-{{wp|malaria}} pills being unavailable in Vanavasi areas. Female menstrual products are also unheard of, as well as {{wp|contraceptives}} which have resulted in some Vanavasi areas having higher prevalences of {{wp|HIV}} than the general population.
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| In response to this issue, the 2003 [[Alternative for Democracy (Arthasthan)|Alternative for Democracy]] government put in place several measures. It offered to pay the tuition of medical students who volunteered to learn a tribal language and spend at least three years in a rural community, as well as lowering the threshholds for entrance into medical programs for students of a Vanavasi background and offering more scholarships to such groups. A significant change was the introduction of the Mobile Health Response Group (MHRG), mobile healthcare clinics which are able to move around rural areas in order to treat Vanavasi patients. {{wp|Vaccination}} campaigns were also instituted, aiming to eradicate diseases such as {{wp|smallpox}} and {{wp|polio}} which still caused several deaths each year. There have also been efforts to provide basic {{wp|first aid}} training and a basic understanding of diseases and sanitary practices, with the goal of lowering the spread of illnesses within tribal populations.
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| ===Political disenfranchisement===
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| [[File:Medha patkar.jpg|200px|thumb|[[Punai Cumakhari]], leader of the [[Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples]]. She is often called "the mother of Vanavasi activism".]] | |
| One of the most significant barriers to political solutions to the problems faced by the Vanavasi in Arthasthan has been the lack of Vanavasi interaction with the political system. The roots of this issue date back to the colonial era, as the [[Etruria|Etrurian]] administration under [[Eugenio Passariello]] sought to insulate the Vanavasi from urban society in order to protect their traditional way of life which was seen to be remniscent of {{wp|Garden of Eden|paradise}} and unspoilt by modernity. Following independence, [[Sheru Ramprasad]] and the [[Satrian Section of the Workers' International (Arthasthan)|Satrian Section]] saw the traditional livelihoods of the Vanavasi as being barriers to the group's development and pushed for a devaluation and decline in Vanavasi identity. Many Vanavasi, especially those who had moved to urban areas and gained an education, opposed this initiative and split from the Satrian Section to from their own leftist movement.
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| [[File:Adivasi mobilization chakadoba.jpg|200px|thumb|A mass sit-in as part of the 2011 [[Vanavasi Language March]].]]
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| In the modern era, Vanavasi political engagement is still highly limited. While voting turnout differs from state to state, the overall percentage of Vanavasi of voting age who voted is estimated to be around 20%. For most Vanavasi, the most significant barriers to electoral participation come through ineligibility, as many Vanavasi lack the necessary official documents to legally vote, and through physical incapacity due to the lack of voting booths in many rural areas. Another key difficulty is in political awareness, as most Vanavasi in isolated areas have little access to news from outside and are therefore uninformed on political issues.
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Kartha