UPSC Express

Gond tribe

• They are the tribal community mostly found in the Gond forests of the central India.
• They are widely spread in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh,  Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa.
• The name by which the Gonds call themselves is Koi or Koitur which means unclear.
• Gonds are one of the largest tribal groups in the world.

History

• They settled in the Gondwana region from ninth to thirteenth century AD.
• In the fourteen century, they ruled several parts of the central India.
• They had built number of forts, palaces, temples, tanks and lakes during the rule of the Gonds dynasty.
• Gonds have been the warriors since the British period.
• During the British regime in India, Gonds challenged the Britishers in several battles.

Language

• They speak Gondi and Indo-Aryan languages
• The Gondi language belongs to the Dravidian family of languages and is related to Tamil and Kannada.

Religion

• They have been largely influenced by the Hindus.
• For the long time they have been practicing the Hindu culture and traditions.

Festivals

• Their fairs and festivals are influenced from the Hindu traditions.
• Keslapur Jathra is an important festival of the Gonds.
• Madai is another major festival celebrated among the Gonds.
• They also celebrate Hindu festival called Dusshera.

Dance

• Gusadi dance is the most famous dance performed by them.
• It is performed by wearing head gears decorated with the peacock feathers.
• They wear cotton cloth around their waist.
• They smear ash all over their body and the beards made of animal hair is also an important part of the dance costumes.