Dublas tribe

Dublas
(Western Region)
This tribal group is living the Surat district of Gujarat with a population of 2,18,988
(1991 census) and a sex ratio of 1:0.96.
Their physical features are proto-australoid racial stock (medium stature, black hair,
brownish skin color and narrow nose).
They speak Gujarati language (austric language group).
It is a patrilocal society and property is inherited from father to son.
Birth Ceremony
Dublas celebrate birth as a boon of Megni mata (goddess of family). On the day of birth,
the family gives dinner (Potlas, Dal of Moong, Muth and Kathals) to the community.
Pregnant women follow some taboo (prohibition) during delivery due the their belief in
impurity. Barha ritual is celebrated on the twelfth day after the birth, when the baby for
the first time is brought out of the room.
Marriage Ceremony
It is a gotra exogamous group. The marriage ceremony starts with the magni ceremony
(proposal for marriage), which is followed by betrothal or engagement ceremony. The
groom gives a sari, blouse and silver ornaments to the bride for using them during the
marriage. Purchase and consent marriages are frequent. The marriage takes place two to
three weeks after betrothal and the bride and groom have to apply Pithi (turmeric paste on
their whole body for three days). On the third day, the jan (procession) goes to the bride’s
house. Here the marriage ceremony is performed by themselves and not by the Brahmins.
A dinner is also arranged but the bridegroom’s side has to bring cooked food from their
house. After living at the bridegroom’s house for three days, the bride comes back to her
parent’s home. Vidai (final departure of the bride) is performed after a month. Men and
women of both sides consume liquor during every occasion. Bride wealth has the prime
value in the settlement of marriage.
Levirate and widow marriages are also in occurrence.
Death Ceremony
The death ceremony is spread over three days. On the first day, Dah (cremation) ritual is
conducted. On the second day, Leh ritual (collection of remains of the dead body from
the cremation place) and on the last day, vidai (farewell to the soul) ritual is celebrated.
They offer cooked food and liquor to the soul and give a dinner to the community.
Religion
They have faith in ancestral spirits. Malevolent and benevolent both types of spirits are
worshipped. Acculturation is visible in their religious beliefs. They worship Ram,
Krishna, Shiva, Ganesha (Hindu gods) and Durga, Lakshmi and Parvati (Hindi
goddesses). Black magic is also in practice. Christianity is spreading (3%) among them
Economy
They are basically, agriculturists. Carpenters, blacksmiths, masons, schoolteachers, peons
and Halis are the other occupations of their economic life.
Political Organization
Panch (traditional panchayat) comprised of 5 members exists in every Talukas (Mandi,
Bardoli, Valod, Bansda, Chikhil, Pardi, Bulsar and Dharranpur). It hears every dispute
especially marriage and land disputes especially the ones pertaining to marriage and land.
This panchayat has been replaced by the Panchayati raj system introduced by the state
government, (both co-exist) the people still have faith in the traditional panchayat.
Education
Every Taluka has a district board based schools, aided schools and many secondary
schools. 13% are educated at junior level, while 4.2% are intermediate. The education
level is better among the males compared to the females.
Some development programmes have been introduced by some NGO’s – Swaraj Ashram,
Dakshin Gujarat Ranipradesh Kelvani Mandal, Halpati Majur Mahajan and Catholic
Baptist Mission.
Due to acculturation and the effort of NGO’s and government, they are acquiring
modernity. They are familiar with television, telephone, motorcycle, etc.
Chodras, Dhodias, Konknis, Vasara, Varli, Kolchas, Dhor, Gumit, Kathodi and all other
tribal groups of Gujarat who have the same socio-cultural life as Dublas have.