2. GOND TRIBE
Gonds worship ancestral deities known
as Angadevs , which Brahminical Hindus
claim are a representation of the
goddess Mahakali.
Women used to wear silver jewellery which could
weigh over 2 kg. The Sakri, heavy rounded bands
worn around the neck by women weighed about
500 grams while the ‘panjan’ or anklet weighed
250 grams each. The ‘kambar pati’ or waist band
weighed about 1 kg while the arm bands or ‘dand
kadias’ weighed 250 gm each. The tribal families
used to obtain silver from artisans who came
looking for horns of wild animals and cattle skin.
They also used to make ornaments from copper,
wood, cane, grass, peacock & birds feathers and
wild flowers.
3. Gonds are one of the largest tribal groups in the world.
•ruled by Gods.
•They majorly speak Gondi which is an unwritten language of the Dravidian family.
•They are mostly live in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka,
Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha.
•Gonds are subdivided into four tribes:
•Raj Gonds
•Madia Gonds
•Dhurve Gonds
•Khatulwar Gonds
•Their staple food is two kinds of millet: kodo and kutki.
•Rice is mostly consumed during festival feasts.
•Gonds believe that earth, water and air are
8. The GENDI DANCE is a traditional folk dance
from the Chhattisgarh region of central India. Originated in
the Bastar villages and forests, the dance is performed by
the Gond, Halba and Bhatra tribes during harvest
festivals, weddings and other celebrations. Both men and
women form circular formations and move in a clockwise
direction to upbeat folk music played on local instruments
like dholak, chimta and mandar. While singing folklore, the
dancers depict stories through rhythmic footsteps and
synchronized body movements that mimic animals or daily
chores. Women usually dance in the center holding sticks
or feathers, showing facial expressions and rocking their
hips. Colorful traditional attire is worn as they showcase
the rich cultural heritage through this energetic folk dance.
Involving coordinated motions of feet, hands and body,
Gendi reflects the art and traditions of village life in
Chhattisgarh and has become a popular tourist attraction
today
9.
10. SAILA DANCE is an essential part
of marriage celebrations commonly seen in
Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. It involves
groups of women folk dancing in circles while
singing folk songs and shaking small bamboo
sticks called 'Saila'. The dance is performed
during important marriage rituals and rituals by
the bride and her friends to celebrate
womanhood and bless the newly wed couple.
Graceful hand gestures and synchronized
footsteps reflect community bonding. The
traditional dance accompanied by energetic
music and costumes symbolizes cultural
traditions and pride of local tribes while bringing
good luck to the bride in her new phase of life
16. The Bison Horn Maria tribe
is one of the oldest Adivasi
communities in central
India. Menfolk of this tribe
wear traditional headdress
made of bison horns,
decorated with cowrie
shells and bird feathers.
Women, too, wear
headbands made of cowrie
shells and a lot of silver
jewellery.
MURIA
TRIBE
20. CHATTISGARH
PANTHI (FOLK) : CHHATTISGARH
The folk dance of the Satnami community of Chhattisgarh
bears religious overtones. Performed on Maghi Purnima -
the birth anniversary of their Guru(Saint) Guru Ghasidas,
the dance is evolving still to include a variety of steps and
patterns. The dancers dance around a jaitkhamb set up for
the occasion, to the songs eulogizing their spiritual head.
The songs also reflect the Nirvana philosophy, conveying
the spirit of renunciation of their Guru and the teachings
of saint poets like Kabir, Ramdas, Dadu, etc. Dancers with
bent torsos and swinging arms continue to dance till
carried away by their devotion. As the rhythm quickens,
they indulge in acrobatics and even form human pyramids.
Raut Nacha - CHHATTISGARH
A traditional folk dance usually done by
yadavs/yaduvanshis (a caste which considers itself as
descendants of Krishna) as symbol of worship to Krishna.
Done at the time of 'dev udhni ekadashi' (time of
awakening of Gods after brief rest) according to Hindu
pancang (calendar). The dance is a close resemblance of
krishna's raas leela (dance of lord with his village's girls
called gopis) with gopis.
21. Cherchera dance
of Chhattisgarh
The Cherchera dance is a traditional folk
dance of Chhattisgarh, India. It is
performed during the Cherchera festival,
which is celebrated on the full moon night
of the Paush Hindu calendar month. The
festival is celebrated to mark the end of
the harvest season and to express
gratitude for the blessings of nature.
The Cherchera dance is a group dance that is
performed by men and women of all ages. The
dancers dress in traditional costumes and jewelry, and
the men wear bells on their waists. The dance is
characterized by its energetic and joyful movements.
The dancers form a circle and move around, singing
and clapping their hands. They also perform a variety
of acrobatic steps, such as jumping and spinning.
The Cherchera dance is more than just a form of
entertainment; it is also a way for the people of
Chhattisgarh to connect with their culture and
traditions. It is also a way to celebrate the harvest
season and to express gratitude for the blessings of
nature.
22. Karma dance of
Chhattisgarh
Karma is a folk dance from the
Surguja region that involves
graceful choreography. It brings
together up to 80 dancers who
move together in perfect harmony
and rhythm to drum beats.Usually
performed during important
celebrations by married women,
the Karma dance is aimed at
seeking blessings from village
deities. Intricate hand and foot
movements are coordinated to
form beautiful geometrical
patterns. There are also elements
of storytelling integrated into the
dance. The synchronized dance
routines reflecting community
bonding and cultural spirit have
made Karma a symbol of
Surguja's cultural heritage.
24. RAUT NACH
CHHATTISGARGH
RAUT NACHA : (FOLK)
Raut Nacha at Chhattisgarh, India
Raut Nacha is a dance performed by
yadava/yaduvanshis, a caste which
considers themselves to be descendants of
Krishna. For them it is as a symbol of
worship to Krishna. They perform the dance
at the time of 'dev udhni ekadashi'. It is
believed that it is time of awakening of Gods
after brief rest according to Hindu pancang
(calendar). The dance is a close
resemblance of Krishna's dance or raas
leela.
26. KARMA
DANCE
Karma/Munda (JHARKHAND):
The traditional dance gets its name
from the Karma tree[ambiguous],
which stands for fortune and good
luck. The ceremony starts with the
planting of the trees. Dancers, both
men and women, form circles around it
and dance with their arms around each
other's waists. As the drum beats get
quicker and louder, the dancers gain
momentum and generally end in an
uproarious tumult.
37. TODA
TRIBE
Toda people are a
Dravidian ethnic group who
live in the State of Tamil
Nadu in southern India.
Before the 18th century
and British colonisation, the
Toda coexisted locally with
other ethnic communities,
including the Kota, Badaga
and Kurumba
They live in NILGIRI HILLS
41. BHUNGA HOUSE OF
RABARI TRIBE
They live in bhungas that
are mud houses, circular in
shape to keep the houses
cool during the harsh
summers. Lippan means
'clay' or 'dung' in Gujarati
and 'kaam' is work. Hence
Lippan Kaam refers to the
mud work that was done on
the interior as well as the
exterior walls of the circular
homes of these tribes.
46. •The Bhil are one of the largest tribal groups, living in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.
•The name is derived from the word ‘billu’, which means bow.
•The Bhil are known to be excellent archers coupled with deep knowledge about their
local geography.
•Traditionally, experts in guerrilla warfare, most of them today are farmers and agricultural
labourers. They are also skilled sculptors.
•Bhil women wear traditional saris while men are dressed in long frock and
pyjamas. The woman put on heavy ornaments made of silver, brass along with rosaries of
beads and silver coins and earing.
52. DHOKRA
DAMAR TRIBE
Dhokra Damar tribes are the main
traditional metalsmiths of West Bengal
and Odisha. Their technique of lost
wax casting is named after their tribe,
hence Dhokra metal casting. The tribe
extends from Jharkhand to West
Bengal and Odisha; members are
distant cousins of the Chhattisgarh
Dhokras.
The Dhokra Damar tribes were the earliest metalsmiths from
West Bengal, they used the ancient technique of lost Wax
casting
56. SOHRAI art form has been
practised for centuries by the tribes
of Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, and its
surrounding states. 'Sohrai' is derived from
the Mundari term 'Soroi,' which means 'to
whip with a stick.
78. The Khasi tribe is mainly
found in the state of Assam
and the Khasi Jaintia hills in
Meghalaya. They are called
by the different names such
as Khasi Pahris, Khuchia,
Kassi, Khashi and Khasa.
Khasi are the predominant
tribals in the state of
Meghalaya.
KHASI
TRIBE
79.
80. The GARO TRIBE
one of the few matrilineal civilizations still
in existence and mostly found in the
Meghalayan hills, are renowned for their
vibrant way of life.
The other Meghalayan tribes may be
recognized as the Garo tribes. Women
are commonly spotted wearing a range
of traditional jewelry, while men are
usually seen sporting turbans with
feathers tucked behind them.
Where to meet Garo tribes in India:
•In the hills of Meghalaya
•Parts of Assam, West Bengal, and
Nagaland
