Jamshedpur, August 1: A newly formed supporter group, The Tribes, is seeking to redefine the experience of fandom in Indian football by placing Adivasi identity and cultural expression at the heart of their support for Jamshedpur FC. Conceptualized by a collective of local football enthusiasts, the initiative represents a deliberate effort to construct a fan club grounded in community values and visual symbolism of tribal heritage.
And at every Jamshedpur FC home game this Durand Cup, their presence is hard to ignore. Not just in noise, but in meaning as they are bringing the spirit of Jharkhand’s Adivasi culture into the heart of football.
Raja Hansdah, one of the core members of the group, explained the impetus behind the formation. “The inspiration came from the deep silence we felt in the stands, not in noise, but in identity. We’ve always been present, always been passionate, but our culture and our voice, it was missing. One day, watching JFC play, surrounded by so much energy but not seeing ourselves in it, we said, enough. It’s time we show the world what football means to us, as Adivasis, as people of this land.”
The sense of cultural absence became a recurring observation among several members. For the founders, the idea took shape over many matchdays. Ashish Hansdah recalled, “It wasn’t a single moment, but when we saw thousands cheer but not one tribal drum, when we heard chants but not in our language, when we celebrated goals but couldn’t see our colours. That absence hit hard. So we created The Tribes, not just a fan club, but a movement to say, ‘We’re here. We belong.”
For the group, anchoring the initiative in Adivasi values was non-negotiable. “Our identity is rooted in community,” said Tikaram Hembram. “We don’t just support our team, we celebrate them, the way we celebrate life with music, unity, and heart. By reflecting Adivasi culture, we are not just cheering, we are educating everyone around us.”
The visual and auditory experience that The Tribes brings to the stadium is equally intentional. “Our colours represent earth and fire. The land we come from and the passion we carry,” explained Rahul Mahato. “The drums are our heartbeat, echoing through the stadium like they do in our villages. Our chants are a mix of Hindi, tribal languages, and football energy, they connect old traditions with new dreams. The art, the banners, they all tell stories, of warriors, dancers, and dreamers, just like us.”
Their identification with the city and its footballing legacy is clear. “Jamshedpur is more than a city. it’s our home, it’s history, it’s heart,” said Vishal Hansda. “For us, football here isn’t just a game; it’s identity, pride, and hope. Supporting JFC means supporting our people. It’s proof that even from small towns, from tribal roots, big dreams can rise.”
Looking beyond local aspirations, the group’s long-term vision is to inspire broader cultural inclusion in Indian football. “Our aim is simple. To show India what real football culture looks like when it comes from the roots,” said Sumit Kumar Tanti. “We want the rest of the country to see that tribal youth are not just part of the crowd. We are leading it. We want to break stereotypes, to inspire respect, and to make sure our traditions echo across stadiums nationwide.”
For those watching in the stands or from afar, the group’s message is unambiguous. “We hope they see pride, power, and unity,” concluded Raja Hansdah. “We want them to feel the passion, the history, the strength of a people who have given so much to this land and are now giving their heart to the game. And most of all, we want them to understand. Football is not just played on the pitch. It’s danced, it’s sung, it’s lived, in the stands, in the drums, through the Tribes.”
