Khond tribe

Khond
Khond is one of the largest tribe of Phul bani, Ganjam Korojones and Kalahandi district
of Orrisa with a population of 8,56,547 (1991 census). Their sex ratio is 1:1.
It is a Proto australoid racial group, who speaks dravidian language. Khond is a
patriarchal society with the queer characteristic of nuclear family system.
Birth Ceremony
Husband follows the same taboo (prohibition) as his pregnant wife does. Khushi (joy)
ritual is celebrated after the pregnancy. Rang ritual is celebrated at the time of birth. A
bhoj (dinner) is given to the community. Husband and wife follow normal life two
months after the delivery.
Marriage Ceremony
They are exogamous but cross cousin and parallel cousin marriage are preferred. Levirate
and widow marriages are also in practice. Consent, elopement marriages are popular.
Lena (bride wealth) is the locus of marriage. Marriage ceremony starts by mang ritual
(search of a bride) and ends by vidai (departure of the bride). It is monogamous group.
Death Ceremony
They burn dead body. They make Menhir (a stone at cremation site). They believe in soul
and give a dinner on the third day after the death.
Economy
They are engaged in gidia or chara (shifting cultivation). They do also jangam (slope)
cultivation and produce mainly rice and mustard.
Education
Only 0.5% are taking education. Two primary schools are in their locality.
Political organization
Pancham (Panchayat) is prime authority of administration. It is made up of 5 to 7
members it. No body can deny its decision. It hears all disputes like marriage and land
disputes.
Darbar (youth home) is a good source of government agencies for communication and
information.
Religion
They have many traditional gods, goddesses and spirits. Dharani or jakeri penu (goddess
of earth) protects them from evil and brings happiness and prosperity, Jatra Kudi Penka
(god of village) protects village, Aji-budhi Penu (goddess of disease) protects them from
diseases, Hira Penu protects children, Ghungi penu (god of water), Lada penu (god of
hunting). Lahi Penka (protects crops), Llai penu and Sita penu (both are goddesses of
wealth).
Danda penu (spirit) protects the granary. Chhatos Penka, Bhario penka and Barjari penka
are male spirits, which protect them from diseases, epidemics and accidental deaths.
Miali penu (female spirit) causes illness. Suka penku destroys crops.
Hadada munda (ancestor spirit) protects the family. They believe in pangins (witch craft
tradition). Ponga ( black magic) is also in practice.
Festivals
Ghonta praba (harvest festival) celebrated after March-April. Every festival starts on
Friday. It’s spans over three days. Goat is sacrificed. Bhiari puja or Bichahpam. - it is
celebrated at the time of sowing of seeds. Bima penka (god of thunder) is worshipped on
this festival.
Jani Oishri and Bejunis (name of priests) sacrifice animals and do every important ritual.
Meria festival (festival of joy) is celebrated in January-February. They use turmeric and
vermilion in every ritual of all festivals.
They know much about modern life but are not interested in breaking their traditional
life. They understand the government policies and are taking loan for better cultivation.
They have left human head hunting Symbolic sacrifice (goat, buffalo) is in practice.