Gond

Brief Details of Gond

Gond Tribe

Mr. Hinslow believed that Gond must be a kind of code. He used to write Khand in a code word. Gond people speak Gondi dialects which are derived from a mix of Tamil, Kanada and Telugu. It could therefore be presumed that they might have come from South India to Madhya Pradesh. Their route could be Chandana through Godovari River and then upper part of Indravati River and thereafter south and east hills, Chhatisgadh plain, reaching to Vardha and thereafter hills of Satpudo. A Gond dynasty is said to have ruled for several centuries in Chandama. There, they could have developed contacts with Telugu people and could have acquired "Gond” name. With this name and identity, they must have migrated to easten direction. In Gujarat State, they are mainly settled in the districts of Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara and Panchmahals.

Population

As per 2001 census, Gond population in Gujarat State is 2152 of which 982 are female and 1170 are male. They constitute 0.03 per cent in total tribal population of the State. The literacy level is 50.39 percent.

Habitation / House-Hold Kit

The walls of their huts are 4 to 5 ft. high. The walls are made from Bamboo strips pasted with clay and cow dung. Some Gond people have come out of traditions and have constructed pucca residence to stay.

Usually Gond people keep old utensils of Aluminum, Stainless Steel etc. Other household kit includes cots with string bed and mattresses made from old unserviceable cloths.

Dress

Gond male and female put on dress like their Hindu counterpart. In earlier days, they used to make their dress from tree leafs and tree-skin; but now a days they put on dress made from cotton cloth - a dhoti, shirt and a safa-long cloth covering their head. One can even find a Pyjama, Kurta, Cap, Coat etc. on their body. Women cover their bodies with a saree. Women are fond of tattoos on their body. Earlier they used to wear the bangles made from German silver or Aluminum on hand and Brass Kadle (solid round gripping) on their legs. This is decreasing now days. But presently the men, women and children are found using artificial ornaments sold in market.

Dialects

The Gonds residing in their Gond surrounding speak Gondi dialects.

Food and Drink

Their food mainly is contained of rice, Bajra-loaf, different pulses, vegetables etc. They don't have any inhibitions about food. Traditionally they used to consume chiken, beaf-pigmeat, tortoise, rat/mouse, cat, fox, lobster, red ants, fish etc etc. But under the influence of Hindu religion, this has decreased to great extent.

They consume wine made from Mahuda. It is an indiginous make. In South, Tadi is widely used. They use black tea also. It is said that the colour and shining in Gond's life is due to wine. Without this, their life is dry and dull.

Education

The tribe being economically backward has to move to other places for labour work. Therefore the level of literacy rates is low. It is 50.39 percent.

Religion

Gonds marry within same Gotra also. For practical purpose each gotra has been divided into two sections. In A section, there are 90 branches and in B section, there are 69 branches. Gond people worship their traditional Gods-Goddesses like Shahudi, Vagh, Saras, Kuchbo, Dungar Dev etc. They celebrate Hindu festivals, like Diwali, Navratri, Makarsankrati, Holi etc. Both for beginning of planning of crops and for reaping, they start activity only after worshiping their Gods like Nagdev Narayandev, Bada dev etc.

Economic System

Gond people are usually engaged in agriculture. Most of them are agriculture labour and other labourers. But in hilly areas they usually work as Gont had Ganotiya - a kind of working partner in agriculture. Besides they have forest farming, hunting, fishing etc. as other occupations and working in industries in the towns, in mines and in other petty jobs.

Caste-Panch

For controlling conflicts and criminal activities, there is very strict caste-panch among Gonds. The members of panchayat are elected by the consent of all. He continues till his behavior is satisfactory. The membership of panchayat is not derived from father to a son. All adult Gond people are members of Panchayat and they are invited to the meeting. During the meeting five elderly people announce the judgement on behalf of the Panchayat.

Social Customs

The family system in Gonds is patriachic.

Menstruation

During menstruation period, the women are considered to be unholy. During these days, she cannot bring water, cannot cook, food, cannot attend to animals and cannot clean the house also.

Delivery

Usually for the first delivery the woman in Gonds, go to their parental place. The delivery is conducted at the hand of a trained Dai or in a hospital. Up to one month after the birth of a child, a 'Sootak' is observed and therefore the father does not attend his regular work. In very poor and hand to mouth families, the woman cannot afford to take rest after delivery. She consumes some roots of a particular plant or tree and joins her work the very next day!

Giving Name to a Child

Usually the name of the child is given on the basis of the day of his birth; or sometimes on the basis of month of his birth. If on that day, some Government Official have visited a place, his name is adopted for a child. But now days, the common Hindu names are widely in use. On the day of giving name, the hairs of the child are removed by either the son-in-law of a family, or brother-in-law of father or younger brother in law of mother. Mother gives a bath to the child and applies some oil and Haldi, on his body. The name is given in presence of family members and relatives.

Betrothel / Engagement

In Gond tribe, no marriage is permitted in the same branch, dynasty and near relations. Usually marriages are performed after attaining majority. The consent of a girl is considered essential for marriage. This consent is given in the presence of elders in the family. Often time is provided to take her decision. Of course, consent of boy is also required. The price for a bride is required to be paid in this tribe.

Marriage

Unlike in Hindus, the marriage procession starts from a bride’s place and marriage ceremony is performed at bridegroom’s place. The marriage procession of a bride is provided temporary place for their stay there, where the food-stuff is provided. The whole day is spent on "eat and enjoy". In the evening the bride along with all her relatives of marriage party proceed to bridegroom's place and the couple as well as village youth merrily dance almost whole night. The marriage ceremony is very simple. After marriage ceremony, the bride is told by the parents that now she belongs to her husband's family and she should not return her parents place alone. However, now a days, some Hindu way of marriages are also performed; but usually marriages are simple and less expensive. Marriages are also performed; but usually marriages are simple and less expensive.

Re-Marriage

Widow can go for re-marriage very freely. Usually the re-marriage is advisable with younger brother of late husband, but not with elder brother.

Divorce

If a woman is debaucherous, quarrelsome, careless in household duty, if her children are constantly dying or if she is considered to be a witch; the divorce are given. The caste panch asks to repay the expenses of marriage. The ornaments provided by husband are returned and then divorce is granted.

Death

In this tribe, polygamy is frequently seen. The system of burying the dead body is very old. But presently, under Hindu influence, the dead body is cremated also. The announcement of death is made through playing a drum. The relatives are also informed. The after-death ceremonies are performed by people to-gather after 2-3 days. The dead body is taken to crematorium in a funeral bier and the fire is given by a father/son, keeping the head of dead body in north direction.

Monument Stone (Palio)

After all kinds of ceremonies are over, a monument in form of a stone is erected. Some Haldi, Ghee and Oil is applied on it. The family members, the relatives and other acquaintances offer wine and tobacco to this monument.

Special

When the new crop is ready, Gond people celebrate by dance. Besides, they also celebrate fertivals of Holi, Meghnath Zoola. Navratri, Makarsankranti, Folk-fairs in special way.