|
|
The nomadic tribes of Maharashtra constitute about 73.18 lakhs of total population as per 1991 census and they are spread over large areas, mainly on hilltops. The major tribes found in Maharashtra are Bhil, Gond-Madia, Katkari, Koli, Oraon, Warli. A majority of the tribes still exhibit the primitive traits. They live in tribal groups moving and from place to place in caravans in search of livelihood.
These
tribes have a rich heritage of culture that is distinctly different from
other social groups and can be easily identified by their dress, dialect,
folklore, customs and practices. They still practice old traditions like
worship of nature in different forms, animal sacrifices during religious
ceremonies, adorning head with horn, etc.
Their life style and the profession display these characteristics in
every social encounter. From generation after generation, these tribes
have had wandering traditions and they have hardly been integrated in the
society.
These tribes have wandering traditions, which results in lack education, which makes their survival difficult, and this does not allow them to fit into the settled society they are forced to continue with this tradition of moving from place to place in search of work. Thousands of families belonging to these tribes wander from place to place and stay in temporary structures.
Bhil
The Bhils are considered as the third largest and most widely distributed
tribal groups in India. The Bhil tribes inhabit some of the most remote
and inaccessible areas of India. There are two divisions of Bhil: the
Central or "pure" Bhil, and the Eastern or part-Rajput Bhil. The
Eastern Bhil lives in the mountains of central western India particularly
in northern Gujarat, southern Rajasthan, and northern Maharashtra.
The name of the tribe "Bhil" was derived from the word billee,
which means bow. For years, the bow has been a characteristic weapon of
the tribe, and the men usually carry their bows and arrows with them. The
people are experts in handling bows and arrows. They primarily work as
peasant farmers, field labourers, and village watchmen.
They speak Bhili, which is an Indo-Aryan language. The Bhils are known to
have fought against the Mughals, Marathas and the British. The people of
this tribe marry within their own classes. If they do marry someone of
another class, the Bhil of the lower class must convert to the higher,
leaving behind all family ties. This custom is strictly enforced among the
tribes. Each village is led by a headman and he deals with disputes.
Dance, drama, festivals, and music are a large part of their culture, but
unfortunately a lot of alcohol is consumed at these events. People sing
and dance on all occasions expressing their robust spirit of the rich with
legend, folklore and the eternal experiences of birth, sexual discovery,
marriage, death and after-life.
Gond-Madia
Gond, ethnic group in central India is one of the most famous and
creative tribe of India. The group is now divided among the states of
Andhra
Pradesh , Maharashtra, and
Madhya
Pradesh ; in Madhya Pradesh there was a small but powerful Gond
kingdom until the 18th century.
The Gonds, predominantly Hindu, speak a Dravidian language and their
local language is 'Madia' and 'Gondi'. The Gond was the most significant
group of original Indian tribes. In the 1500's, several Gond dynasties
were firmly incorporated by the Gond Rajas, or kings. They ruled like
Hindu princes until Muslim armies overthrew them in 1592. In the 1700's,
the Gond lost all power to the Maratha kings who forced their culture to
retreat to the hills.
Lifestyles Of The Gond's
This tribe is classified as Primitive Tribe Category. They still lead
primitive way of life. People belonging to this are mainly dependent for
their day-to-day needs such as firewood, small timbers, grass etc. on the
forest. They are mainly organised into small villages. A chief heads the
tribe, and a committee of elders leads each village. The chief serves as
the judge of all tribal disputes, while the elders have legal authority
over their villages. Gond kingship is patriarchal and line of descent is
traced patrilineally.
Gond survived by farming, hunting, and eating the fruits of the grove,
but they also trade and sell cattle. Others hold wage-earning jobs. They
do not make their own clothing or jewels but buy them from neighboring
groups. The Gond does not marry within their own clans and cross-cousin
marriages are preferred as are multiple spouses.
They have a typical painting style that cannot be seen else where in the
country. Apart from painting on paper, people this tribe engage themselves
in wall painting and floor paintings as well. These paintings serve the
ritualistic purposes as well as keep the surroundings harmonious and pure.
Katkari
They are located mainly in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Their
language is also known as "Katkari". They are mainly found in
Pune, Raigad, Ratnagiri regoins.
Koli
Koli tribe is declared as the most ancient tribe of India. Historians and
scholars find that Koli tribe, a ruling 'Kshtria' Caste, was spread far
and wide all over India. Their heroic exploits and learned reputation and
relationships with the most powerful of those times regarded them with awe
and respect. The most ancient and revered sage Valmiki, the author of epic
Ramayana belonged to this tribe.
Koli tribe is to be found from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari and are known by
slightly different names according to the languages of the regions. The
following are some of the major groups: "Koli Kshtria", "Koli
Raja", "Koli Rajput", "Koli Suryavanshi", "Nagarkoli",
"Gondakoli", "Koli Mahadev", "Koli Patel", "Koli
Thakor", "Bavraya, Tharkarda", "Pathanvadia", "Mein
Koli", "Koyeri", "Mandhata Patel", etc.
Oraon
Oraon is one such tribal group, which is considered as the chief
representative of the Dravidian races. This tribe is notified in
Maharashtra list as Scheduled Tribe. They are also listed as tribal group
in Bihar, Orissa. Madhya Pradesh and they get all benefits related to
Scheduled Tribes in these States. The surrounding forest is the only means
of livelihood and their association with the forest is very close and they
become part of nature.
It has been noticed that some Oraon families have migrated and settled in
Gadchlroli district of Maharashtra. It was noticed during 1971 census,
they are mostly settled in Dhanora, Etapalli and Aheri Talukas of
Gadchiroli district. In one village, which is called as Rupingatta near
Pendhari in Dhanora Taluka, almost total population is Oraon tribe. Most
of them are still illiterate and very poor. Some families are also located
in Gyarapatti, Kotgul area.
The Oraon Folks
The people of this tribe are short-stature, narrow-headed and broad
nosed, and one of the physical characteristics of Oraon women is sharp
feature face. They decorate them selves in usual tribal style with flower
and clip striking in their hair. The women are sturdy and work more than
men. Like other tribal, groups Oraon men folk are also Idle and not take
much interest in work. They mostly depend on their women for livelihood.
In traditional system, Oraon girls are married at very early age.
The head of their village is called the Mahato, while the spiritual head
is called the Pahan (village priest). Both these offices are usually
hereditary. They worship Devi Ma (Shakti) and also believe in witchcraft,
their most Important social institution, which has put them on the
ethnographic map of the world.
Warli
Warli is the name of the largest tribe to be found in Thane district, on
the northern outskirts of Bombay, in Western India. This tribal group is
famous for Warli art. Warli Art is the vivid expression of daily and
social events of the Warli tribe of Maharashtra. The origin of the Warlis
is yet unknown and no records of this art are found, but many scholars and
folklorists believe that it can be traced to as early as the 10th century
AD.
The insularity of the Warlis may also be attributed to the invasions of
their territory, 'Thane, Maharashtra'. Thane has in fact at different
times been under the Rule of the Hindus, Muslims, Maratha, Portuguese and
the English. All of whom were resisted by maintaining their unique nature,
and can be seen in their Art.
Despite being in such close proximity of the largest metropolis in India,
Warli tribesmen shun all influences of modern urbanisation. The Warlis
live frugally, almost ascetically, barely using any of the contemporary
inventions of technology. The Warlis never do anything without
significance. They will not, for example, speak unless absolutely
necessary, for words can make things come alive.