Chhattisgarh is one of the most fascinating tourist destinations of not only in India but the world. Known for its exceptional scenic beauty and unique and rich cultural heritage, Chhattisgarh has always been synonymous with tribes and tribal culture. Over one third of the state population is of tribes, most of them inhabiting in the thickly forested areas of the famous Bastar region. The tribes of Chhattisgarh are unique in their lifestyles and have beautifully retained their own culture and traditions for centuries. largest tribal district of Chhattisgarh with over 70% of its total population comprising of tribals, which is about 26.76% of the total tribal population of Chhattisgarh. There are several tribal castes in Chhattisgarh with Gonds of Bastar being the most prominent among them. The Gond Tribes are well known for their unique Ghotul system of marriages, in all over the world.. Other major tribes of Chhattisgarh region include the Baiga, Korba, Abhuj Maria, BisonHorn Maria, Muria, Halbaa, Bhatra and Dhurvaa tribes.
The tribes of Chhattisgarh region are also known for their passion for dances and music, which are the most important amusements and a part and parcel of their day-today life. The tribal women of the Chhattisgarh region love to adorn themselves with plenty of ornaments made of cowries, beads, shells, bones, feathers, mixed metals, copper and bronze. The Chhattisgarh tribes are also known for their beautiful arts and crafts. Among festivals, Dusshera is the most important festival of the region but it's different from the north Indian Dusshera.
Gond :-
The Gonds are one of the most famous and important tribes in India , known for their unique customs and traditions. They are mainly a nomadic tribe and call themselves as Koytoria. The term 'Gond' is derived from the Telugu word 'Konda' which means hill. Gond Tribes are primarily located in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, eastern Maharashtra , northern Andhra Pradesh and western Orissa. With a population of over 4 millions, Gonds also form the largest tribal group in central India . In Chhattisgarh, Gonds are the largest tribal group in terms of population and are mainly concentrated in the southern part of the state. More than 20 % of Gonds in Chhattisgarh live in Bastar region only. There are 3 major sub-castes of Gonds in Bastar - Maria, Muria and Dorla.
The Gonds are predominantly Hindus and like to live to live in groups in small villages. The main language of the Gonds is Gondi but about half of Gond populations also speak Indo-Aryan dialects including Hindi. The Gonds are traditionally agriculturalists and some practice shifting cultivation even today. Gonds are also known for practicing social hierarchy system like Hindus and the Gond society is regarded as highly stratified and not conforming to the usual image of egalitarianism among tribals.They prefer marriages within the blood relations mostlyaccording to Hindu rites and customs. Sometimes mock elopements are also arranged. Divorces, remarriages, widow marriages, marriages with the wives of the brothers and between brothers and sisters are common. One of the unique characteristics of the Gonds marriages is that the groom has to pay bridal price to the father of the girl and in this way the system gives respect and power to women in the society. Other most popular practice among Gonds of Bastar is the 'Ghotul' system. In this system, the unmarried young boys and girls live together in separately made huts and allowed to intermingle and practice everything they desire. During this period they interact and enjoy themselves by participating in dancing, music, local story telling and much more in a drunken mood. If everything is fine and both of them are happy, they can get out of the Ghotul and marry. The Ghotul system is mainly practiced among the Muria Gonds and the origin of this system is related with their goddess 'Lingopan'
Bisonhorn Maria :-
Primarily found in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, the BisonHorn Marias tribes are another major sub-castes of the Gonds. They mainly reside in Jagdalpur Tehsil of Chhattisgarh, south of Indravati River . Like Abhuj Marias these tribes also like to live in isolation into deep interiors of forests and avoid contacts from outside world. The majority of BisonHorn Marias speak various and, in part, mutually unintelligible dialects of Gondi, an unwritten language of the Dravidian family.
Their culture and traditions and daily life is almost similar to Abhuj Marias. They also practice shifting cultivation method of agriculture and collect forest produce for survival. Like Abhuj Marias, they do not plough the earth, as it would mean inflicting pain on her body. Pointed wood pieces are used for piercing for cultivation and stone implements are used for harvesting produce. They derive their name from Bison Horn and very much adorn the bison horns during their dancing rituals. They also perform the marriages through Ghotul System. Divorces and widow remarriages are common but adultery is strictly forbidden. Marriages amongst the blood relations including brothers and sisters are common.
Murias :-
Murias, another major sub-castes of the Gonds, are found in the Narayanpur and Kondagaon Tehsils of Bastar district. Unlike Marias who live in isolation deep into the dense forests, the Murias live in plains and are comparatively more civilized than the primitive Marias . But their primary activities are similar to other Gond sub-castes and they survive on agriculture and collection of minor forest produces.
As far as religious and social beliefs are concerned, Murias have several totems and several gods of villages and tribal sub-groups and. They are highly superstitious and strongly believe in sorcery practices. Unlike Hindus, there is no functional division of castes in the society and they have their own socio-legal hierarchy of tribal administration.
One of the main characteristics of Murias is that they prefer intoxicating and traditional Mahua drinks rather than medicines for curing ailments. Like Gonds, they also practice Ghotul System for marriages where the prospective couples stay in separately built huts and interact with each other including free sex. Divorces and remarriages are common but adultery is strictly prohibited.
Halbaas Tribe :-
The Halbaas are one of the major tribes found in central India . Known for their unique culture and way of life, Halbaas reside in relatively larger part of central India covering Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, the eastern Maharashtra and the western Orissa.The name 'Halbaa' has been derived from the Hindi word 'Hal', the plough, which goes on to prove that they are primarily agriculturists. Other major activities of Halbaas are collecting fruits and other forest goods and iron working (Bastar has a large reserve of easily accessible iron ore).
Halbaas can be divided into three major types - Chhatisgarhia, Marathia and Bastaria. Also, the Bastaria Halbaas (Halbaas of Bastar district) enjoy great similarities with the tribals of the Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh. Halbaas also enjoy high and respectful 'local caste status' amongst the tribals in the region. Their customs and traditions, costumes and dialect make them different from the much popular Gonds tribes. Halbaas speak a dialect, which is a raw blend of three main languages in the region- Marathi, Oriya and Chhattisgarhi. The Bastaria Halbaas perform marriages only in their own clan living in Bastar district. Though, women enjoy a respectful status in the society, they cannot divorce their husbands. Other interesting feature of Halbaa society is that the widower can remarry only widows. Halbaas don't practice the Ghotul system of marriages but marriages amongst the same bloods are preferred. As far as eating habits of Halbaas are concerned, they eat meat and consume wine and mahua drinks with exception to Kabirpanthis (followers of saint Kabir regarding themselves as Hindu, though still maintaining monotheism and being opposed to idol worship) who are strictl.
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