Primarily found in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, the BisonHorn Marias tribes are another major sub-castes of the Gonds. They mainly reside in Jagdalpur Tehsil of Chhattisgarh, south of Indravati River. Like Abhuj Marias these tribes also like to live in isolation into deep interiors of forests and avoid contacts from outside world. The majority of BisonHorn Marias speak various and, in part, mutually unintelligible dialects of Gondi, an unwritten language of the Dravidian family.
Each tribe put on a performance of their spectacular local dances and you got a good look at village life, costumes, ornaments and customs. The Bison-Horn Maria quite obviously derive their name from unusual headdresses worn while dancing during ceremonial occasions. Since the bison is becoming scarce, cattle horns are often used, placed on a bamboo frame, with peacock feathers (or chicken feathers) and strings of cowrie shells hanging down from it. This ornate headdress is passed from father to son. The Biston-Horn Maria probably kept dancing long in front of their village with the children and non-dancers watching from the sidelines.
The Tribal Culture in Chhattisgarh is quite vast and varied with its unique ways and means. The culture is has its own uniqueness. If you have an inclination towards knowing about various tribal cultures and their various ways and means, then Chhattisgarh is the right place to be in and a study of the Tribal Culture in Chhattisgarh would be quite interesting. If you want more insights about the Tribal Culture in Chhattisgarh, India you can visit the Memory Pillars of Gamawada in Dantewada, Maria Menhirs in Bastar and Anthropological Museum in Bastar.
The well known tribes in Chhattisgarh are the Gond Tribe, Bhunjia Tribe, Baiga Tribe, Bisonhorn Maria Tribe, Parghi Tribe, Muria Tribe, Halba Tribe, Bhatra Tribe, Parja Tribe, Dhurvaa Tribe, Muriya Tribe, Dandami Mariya Tribe, Dorla Tribe, Dhanwar Tribe, Kol Tribe, Korwa Tribe, Rajgond Tribe, Kawar Tribe, Bhaiyana Tribe, Binjwar Tribe, Savra Tribe, Manji Tribe, Bhayna Tribe, Kamar Tribe, Munda Tribe and Abujmaria Tribe.
To speak about the Tribal Culture in Chhattisgarh, each of the tribes possesses its own rich history and culture. Their various forms of dance, music, dress and food are different from each other. The chief of a tribe is called the 'Sarpanch', who acts as the main advisor and mediator during disputes and other important matters. The Chief is is assisted by a team of 5 advisors, each of them called panch. The tribes tremendously respect their Sarpanch and the 5 Panchs. The tribes have a lot of unity within them. Marriages usually take place within the tribe. The dead are either buried or cremated. Due to the expensive multi-day rituals in cremation, it is not very popular. But the important elders are always cremated.
Their culture and traditions and daily life is almost similar to Abhuj Marias. They also practice shifting cultivation method of agriculture and collect forest produce for survival. Like Abhuj Marias, they do not plough the earth, as it would mean inflicting pain on her body. Pointed wood pieces are used for piercing for cultivation and stone implements are used for harvesting produce. They derive their name from Bison Horn and very much adorn the bison horns during their dancing rituals. They also perform the marriages through Ghotul System. Divorces and widow remarriages are common but adultery is strictly forbidden. Marriages amongst the blood relations including brothers and sisters are common.
Lying exactly at the heart of India, Chhattisgarh is ascribed to be the Gifted with the beauty of nature such as verdant dense forests, spectacular hills, and tablelands crisscrossed with winding rivers, old caves and exquisite temples, a tour to Chhattisgarh accounts for fascinating experiences that will be etched forever in your memory.
Chhattisgarh is a kaleidoscopic picture of the region where you will have plenty of choices and a wide variety of tourist spots to visit at your disposal. Straddling over an area of around 1, 35,133 km, Chhattisgarh is a place which has a rich tribal population. In this landlocked state of India, you will be enthralled by the sagas of the prominent emperors of Maurya dynasty and other kingdoms. This birthplace of great historical figure is abundant with historical and cultural heritage and legacy. In fact, it is this feature of the state that has prompted the growth of travel and tourism in Chhattisgarh.
Click Here to view some colourful photograph : Photo Gallery - Bison Horn Mariya Bastar
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