The Gond Tribe: A Holistic Study of
Culture, Society, and Identity
Title: The Gond Tribe: A Holistic Study
of Culture, Society, and Identity
Name: Aditya Kumar
Course: B.A. (Hons.) Economics
Roll No: 37
University: University of Delhi
Subject: Tribes of India
1. Introduction:
The Gond tribe, one of the largest and most prominent tribal groups in India,
primarily inhabits central Indian states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Maharashtra, and parts of Odisha and Telangana. With a population exceeding four
million, the Gonds have a rich cultural legacy that includes their own language,
spiritual practices, art, music, and oral history. This paper aims to explore the
multifaceted aspects of the Gond community—from kinship systems and
governance to religion and resistance.
2. Origin and Distribution:
The Gonds derive their name from the Dravidian term "Kond" meaning hill,
signifying their historical association with forested and hilly terrains.
Anthropologically, they belong to the Proto-Australoid racial stock and speak
Gondi—a Dravidian language with multiple dialects. Their presence spans across
vast regions of central India, particularly in the dense forest areas where they
traditionally practiced shifting cultivation and hunting-gathering.
3. Cultural Identity and Social Institutions:
a. Kinship and Clan Structure:
Gond society is patrilineal and organized into exogamous clans known as “sagas.”
These clans regulate marriage alliances and serve as the basis of social order. Clan
totems—usually animals or plants—are sacred and respected, and marriage within
the same clan is strictly prohibited.
b. Family and Gender Roles:
The nuclear family is the dominant household structure, though extended family ties
remain significant. Gond women enjoy relative social freedom and participate in
agriculture, festivals, and family decisions. However, leadership and property
inheritance typically rest with the male members.
c. Marriage Customs:
Marriage is considered a vital institution and includes elaborate rituals. Bride-price
is a common practice, and both arranged and elopement marriages are socially
accepted. Divorce and widow remarriage are permissible, reflecting the tribe’s
flexible social norms.
4. Governance and Political Organization:The Gonds have retained a
unique self-governance system known as the “Panchayat” or “Jangar.” The village
headman (Patel or Mahato) and a council of elders adjudicate disputes, maintain
order, and conduct rituals. In some regions, particularly among the Raj Gonds,
feudal chiefdoms existed historically with dynastic rule.
Their political institutions are deeply embedded in tradition and function semi-
autonomously from state mechanisms. During colonial times, many Gond leaders
resisted British authority, asserting indigenous sovereignty.
5. Religion, Spirituality, and Worldview:
a. Tribal Beliefs:
The Gonds practice a form of animism mixed with elements of Hinduism. They
worship nature spirits, ancestral deities, and village gods like Pharsa Pen, Bhim Pen,
and Thakur Dev. Rituals are integral to community life, with animal sacrifices and
seasonal festivals playing a central role.
b. Myths and Oral Traditions:
Oral narratives form the foundation of Gond cultural knowledge. Myths recount the
creation of the world, heroic ancestors, and the origin of the clan totems. These
stories are preserved through songs, performances, and storytelling traditions
during festivals.
c. Festivals and Ceremonies:
Important festivals include Keslapur Jatra, which involves ritual dances, music, and
animal sacrifices. Other ceremonies revolve around harvest cycles, ancestor
worship, and local legends. Music and dance are inseparable from Gond religious
expression.
6. Gond Art and Cultural Expressions:
a. Gond Painting:
Gond art, particularly painting, has gained international recognition for its vibrant
use of colors, dots, and lines. Traditionally done on walls and floors during festivals,
modern Gond paintings now use acrylics and canvas, telling stories from mythology
and nature.
b. Music and Dance:
Music is central to Gond culture, with instruments like the dhol, mandar, and flute.
Dance forms are group-based and reflect themes from daily life, hunting,
agriculture, and rituals.
7. Economy and Livelihood:
The traditional Gond economy was based on subsistence agriculture, forest produce,
hunting, and animal husbandry. In modern times, many have become agricultural
laborers or small-scale farmers. However, land alienation, deforestation, and
displacement due to industrial projects have severely impacted their livelihood
security.
Efforts like community forest rights under the Forest Rights Act (2006) are helping
Gonds reclaim traditional lands and assert autonomy.
8. Gond Resistance and Role in History:
The Gonds have a rich history of resistance. Leaders like Rani Durgavati of the Garha
Kingdom fought valiantly against the Mughals in the 16th century. During British
rule, Gond regions witnessed sporadic revolts against land dispossession and
exploitation.
Post-independence, they have participated in tribal rights movements demanding
land reforms, access to education, and political representation. The Gonds remain a
symbol of tribal assertion and resilience.
9. Change and Continuity:
While modernization has brought education, employment, and healthcare, it has
also led to erosion of certain traditional practices. Urban migration and land
acquisition have disrupted community life. However, cultural revivalism through
art, tribal literature, and legal activism is helping preserve their identity.
10. Conclusion:
The Gond tribe exemplifies India’s indigenous diversity. Their complex kinship
systems, unique governance, ecological consciousness, spiritual life, and artistic
legacy make them an essential part of India’s cultural mosaic. Understanding and
preserving Gond traditions is crucial for inclusive development and sustainable
governance in tribal regions.
Bibliography:
1. Elwin, Verrier. “The Religion of an Indian Tribe.” Oxford University Press, 1955.
2. Deogaonkar, S. G. “The Gonds of Vidarbha.” Concept Publishing, 2007.
3. Mehta, J. S. “Gonds of Central India.” Anthropological Survey of India.
4. Tiwari, R. K. “Tribal Culture and Art: The Gonds.” Rawat Publications, 2001.
5. Xaxa, Virginius. “Tribes and the Indian State.” Pearson Education, 2008.
