Gond tribe

Gond
It is one of the largest tribal population of India which is mainly living in Mandala,
Sivani, Chhindawada and Baitul district of Madhya Pradesh state and Sambalpur,
Kalahaandi, Ballangeer, Koraput districts of Orissa state with a large population
49,48,795 (1991 census) sex ration among them is 1:1.5
Koitar (Gond) are divided in many tribal subgroups as Muria, Maria, Bhanna, Praja,
Rajgond, Rajkorak, Nayaak Gond.
They speak their Gondi language, which is accepted by the government for
communication among them. This language is of Dravidian family.
They have pre-dravidian features (round face, puffy lips, and broad nose). They have a
patriarchal society. They prefer nuclear family, the eldest person of being the leader of
the family. Sexual difference is visible among the families.
Birth ritual
Janma ritual is celebrated at the time of birth. Pregnant women cannot touch any scared
object after the third month of pregnancy.
Marriage Ceremony
It is gotra exogamous monogamy group. Consent marriage and service marriages are the
two types of marriages among them. In case of issue less family, second marriage is
permitted. Levirate and widow marriages are in practice. Bride wealth is a prime base of
marriage, which is decided according to the economical condition of the family.
Vermilion is the final sign of the marriage.
Death Ceremony
They burn the dead body but it differs according to economic condition of dead person’s
family (if the dead person is poor, he is buried). They honor the soul of dead person and
give a dinner on the tenth day of the death. They make a Menhir (a big stone which is put
at the burial site one month after the death. Pig or cow is sacrificed differentiating them
from Hindus for whom cow is sacred animal and no Hindu eats beef.
Political organization
They have traditional Panchyat that is formed by 2 to 5 members of a village. Gaita
(head) hears every matter and decide the penalty, Gaita is responsible for all religious
work while other members are concerned with general matters.
Religion
They worship earth, village goddess and Kavila god (welfare God). They worship earth
as goddess in every cultural life. Shiva (Hindu God) and Parvati(hindu goddess, wife of
Lord Shiva) is also worshipped.
Economy
Panda (shifting cultivation) is the main source of their livelihood but most of them are
now engaged in permanent cultivation. They produce many cereals (Moong, Urad
(pulses), rice). They are engaged in hunting. They are manufacturing bow, arrow, axe etc.
They are earning money by animal husbandry (pig, deer, etc). Hens and eggs are the
major source of their earnings.
Education
Gond are very aware about education. 13% are educated. Many high school and
intermediate college (more than one dozen) is spread in their living districts.
Gotul (youth home) is the locus of their cultural lives. Unmarried boys and girls live here
and take many training including sexual education. Nowadays government is using this
Gotul for their communication and information.
Due the effect acculturation and education they understand the modern world. Today
Gond are living quasi life (semi rural and semi urban). They are taking government
financial assistance (19%) for their betterment.
Agaria, Aandh, Bhumia, Bhuihar, Bhatra, Birhual, Dhanwar, Gadba, Korakce, Korwa,
Manjhi, Majhwar, Mawari are the other tribal groups of central India who have almost
same socio- economic life as Gond have.