Fr. Emil Tirkey MSFS

India has the largest tribal population in the world. Among the tribal of India two groups tough differing from each other in many ways, have given a similar positive response to the Christian message. Those are the tribals of Chota-Nagpur in the central tribal belt of India; they are the first settlers in Indian soil. Therefore, they are called the A divas is, and the tribals of Northeast India. Among the various Adivasi tribes the Uraons, the Mundas and the Kharias were found to be quite open of the Christian message. Uraons have their own traditional beliefs; laws, norm and customs which set them apart from the rest of the Indian tribal and non-tribal society.

In the first two chapters o f this thesis we shall deal specifically with the Uraon tribe, the emergence and origin of Uraon tribe in Chota-Nagpur, their understanding of God, and their basic aspect of human relationship with God, in their social and spiritual life. They are the God-fearing people. Their concept of God is very similar to that of Christianity. Even their Spirituality is similar to Christian Spirituality. The Uraons tribe is very popularly known for their simplicity, honesty hospitality, humility, hardworking and community living. For them there is no separation between social and Spiritual life. Uraon morality, the idea of good and bad, of right and wrong, was determined by custom and tradition. Divine sanction of morality was acknowledged, and in cases of punishment, the offender had to make reparation to the offended and offer a white fowl in sacrifice to Dharmes.

The spirituality of St. Francis de Sales is the Spirituality of all the ages. It can be accumulated in any religion, society, custom and culture in the world irrespective of cast creed and faith. The Salesian virtues are very much predominant in the Oraon tribe. The lifestyle of tribal community life is very much in line with the emphasis that St. Francis de Sales makes in his writings like: Introduction to Devout Life, treatise on the Love of God, in his Sermons, Letters, and Spiritual Direction etc.