It is indeed very difficult to find out the origin of clan in each primitive group of the world and for that matter in India. We do not have enough literature on the origin and development of clan in our country.
Despite this limitation we refer to some of the clans found among Indian tribes. But, before we do that, let us refer to the clans found among Hindus.
The Hindus regulate their marriage according to gotra. Gotra, as P.N. Prabhu tells us, consists of two Sanskrit words: go meaning cow, and tra meaning herd. Thus, the Hindu gotra is a group of people united by a common ancestor.
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There are seven rishis, namely, Vishvamitra, Jamadgni, Bhardwaj, Gautam, Ari, Vashishtha and Kashyap who gave origin to seven Hindu gotras. Generally, the Hindus trace their origin to one of these rishis. The progeny of a single rishi are brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters cannot marry among themselves. And, therefore, the Hindu gotra is an exogamous group.
Unlike Hindus the tribals do not have such a simple origin of clan. Each tribe has its history, ethnology and therefore, a traditional history for its clan. It is difficult to describe the clans found among more than 400 tribal groups found in the country. We, therefore, mention some of the notable clans of major tribal groups.
The Santhal tribe is found in Bihar and Bengal. It has more than 100 clans that are related to or trace their origin from a tree, plant, animal or some inanimate objects. Similarly, the Ho tribe has about 50 clans. Some of these clans are the same as are found among Santhals. The Munda tribe has 65 clans.
The Bhils of western India are reported to have 38 clans. The clans are related to wild animals, trees and plants. Majumdar and Madan have enumerated eight clans in Kharia tribe. These include Khoren (a stone), Myur (crocodile), Samad (deer), Barliha (a fruit), Charad, Hansad, Mail and Tepna (all birds). Among the Tamarias the clan name is related to a ghost, animal or plant. For example, the origin of a Panduwing gotra among these people is traced to^a leaf.
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If we make an attempt to trace the origin of clan we shall also find several such mythological or traditional stories. Such material forms part of folk literature.
Normally, the tribals associate their clan with some unhistorical and unusual incidence. The origin of clan is a theme which constitutes a potential field of enquiry in social anthropology.