Madhya Pradesh
TRIBES OF MADHYA PRADESH

The major tribes of Madhya Pradesh are Gonds, Bhils, Oraons, Korkens, and Kols. The tribal culture of Madhya Pradesh is mixed with traces of the Dravidians, the Mundas and the Scythians. The state presents in all a varied matrix of tribal culture ranging from animists and fowlers to advanced cultivators and factory workers.

The Chhatlisgarh region of the state comprises Raigarh, Surgaja, Bilaspur, Durg and Raipur districts. It is found that the inhabitants of this area bestowed with many peculiarities. The 'Pradhans', the hereditary chroniclers are a bardic tribe of Chhatlisgarh and worship various Gods and Goddesses. The Gond rulers patronized them in the fourteenth century. The dialect spoken in the region is Chhatlisgarh. The soil is red and yellow and almost half of the area comes under rice cultivation.

The wild and more primitive interior of Bastar is the rugged and mountainous terrain of Abujhmar in the west of Narayanpur Tehsil. The inhabitants here may eat any thing they like. Red ants is their favourite dish. Rats are eaten with pleasure and to full satisfaction

The Dhurwas (Parjas)
are the third largest Adivasi group in Baster following the Marias and the Murias. The tribe is concentrated in Dantewara and Konta. They border on most tehsils of Madhya Pradesh in the South.

The Bhils

Inhabit the districts of Dhar, Ratlam and Jhabua. A number of beliefs and superstitions admit them 'outside the Hindu social system'. The Bhil group constitutes the Bhilala, the Mankar, the Patlia, the Barela, the Nihal or Naik and the Rathia.

The Gond and Kol groups are found in Chhindwara. They are also settled by the rivers of Betul, among the hills of Seoni and Balaghat. They have an extensive legendary history of their past heroes. Tribals of Bastar come under this group. The Gonds are a great people with stirring memories and passionate poetry. They seem to have entered the wilds of Baster along the banks of the Godavari. In the fourteenth century they were the ruling class in many parts of central India. They built palaces, forts, tanks and lakes but owing to their over-simplicity and tolerance they failed to retain their establishments. Towards the end of the eighteenth century they were found scattered into many tribes.

The Baigas
Are a class of priests among the Gonds. They are the people who know all about evil spirits and can avoid them by performing magical rites. In Mandla district there is a small tract called Baiga Chak, known for its Baiga settlement. The Baigas have now changed considerably.
The Pradhans are the musicians of the Gond and the Baigas. If a Baiga is not available to a Gond, a Pradhan is called for performing the rites. The Korkus are confined to a small portion in the Narmada valley. Some of them have taken to work in the coal-mines around Chhindwara.

The Savaras are mostly inhabited in Sheopur (Morena district), Isagarh, Narval (Gwalior district) and Bhilsa. This group also combines Saharia and Sour. Among other tribes are the Kols of Maikal hills who are mainly agriculturists and wage-earners in factories, the Korwas and the Oraons of Raigarh and Surguja districts, the Bharias of Patalkot and the adjoining areas in Chhindwara and the Binjhwars of Bilaspur.