Tribe of India : Gond Tribes

 

Who are Tribles?

In a variety of situations, the term tribe is used to denote a form of a human social group. The term is most usually associated with the field of anthropology. The phrase is controversial, partly due to various theoretical understandings of social and familial systems, and partly due to the difficulties of extending this concept to such a diverse spectrum of human societies. Anthropologists frequently compare it to other social and familial groups, pointing out that it is larger than a lineage or clan but smaller than a chiefdom, nation, or state in terms of hierarchy. These are also questionable terms.

Gond Tribes

According to the 2011 census, India's Tribes number 109 million people, accounting for 8.6% of the country's overall population.

A schedule (list) of economically and socially disadvantaged Tribal communities is included in Article 342 of the Indian Constitution. The Gonds are the most numerous of these tribes in Middle India (Gondwana). Raj-Gonds, Khatola-Gonds, Madia Gonds, Dhur Gonds, Dadve Gonds, Mokasi Gonds, Gaita Gonds, and Koyas, for example, were subdivided into Raj-Gonds, Khatola-Gonds, Madia Gonds, Dhur Gonds, Dadve Gonds, Mokasi Gonds, Gaita Gonds, and Koya

The Gonds' ruling class was known as the Raj Gonds. The Gonds are a primitive tribal society who engage in hunting and food gathering, pastoral jobs, agriculture, martial duties, basic trade and commerce, herbal medicine, and serve as kings in Middle India, among other things. At the same time, depending on the geographical region, they have maintained a distinct tribal culture and linguistic connection. To achieve successful absorption into the social mainstream, this tribal peculiarity requires more exposure and analysis.

SOCIAL LIFE OF THE GONDS

The Gonds' social institutions have been studied in terms of functional characteristics of social organizations with both vertical and horizontal dimensions.

The social organization is largely concerned with large groups of people. The terms "social organization" and "social structure" are frequently interchanged. The Gond community was large and dispersed. It was separated into a number of divisions, each of which had a different purpose. Endogamous clans were organized into exogamous phratries within these parts, which were normally endogamous.

Gond Family

The smallest social unit was the family. The Gond family was a monogamous social group made up of parents and their male and female children. Only unmarried daughters were considered family members. However, in recent years, the joint family structure has been rapidly vanishing, and the individual family system has taken its place. The Gonds referred to themselves as a group by the term "pari." The Gond clan was a one-of-a-kind organization made up of family members that had the same clan name. Members of the clan thought they were related through a common ancestor. Because the clan is patrilineal, a man's clan name is passed down to his children. Until she married, a lady used her father's clan name. Even yet, a married lady was not considered a member of her father's family. Only the male inherits the patronymic at birth, preserves it until death, and passes it down to his children. It has always been a part of the Gond culture.

Class and Caste 

Among the Gonds, there were a variety of social classes and castes with varied names. A person's membership in both a class and a caste was established by birth, and an individual was considered to be a member of his or her father's class or caste.

In light of caste organization, the Gond tribe's segmentary characteristics have waned significantly. The Gonds now place a great value on caste and assert that their status is on par with that of the country's higher castes. With other ethnic groups, they follow the same standards of commensality and social isolation.

Status of Gond Women 

In a Gond traditional community, a woman's position was almost equal to that of the other sex. She shared all aspects of her existence with the man, including earning a living, shoulder to shoulder. The majority of the household chores revolved around her. She took care of the children, raised cattle, and prepared meals for the family. The husband consulted his wife on all key household concerns and frequently followed her advice.  A woman was barred from participating in certain rituals. Despite this, the Gond woman held a respected position in society because she was involved in both the production and reproduction processes.  However, with the changing globalized circumstances, her standing is declining today.

Marriage System 

In traditional Gond society, marriages included Ostasana Marmi (Regular), Lamsena or Lamhade Marmi (by Service), Kotavalda or Ata sata (by Exchange), Poyse Ottur or Kals Ottur (by capture), Arwitana /Harvititur or Haiwar Marmi (by Elopement), Haiwark wat/Paitu or Odiyattur Marmi (by Intrusion).

Marriage between blood relatives was outlawed among the Gonds. Apart from the boy's and girl's wishes, the agreement of the father and mother was crucial. The governing Gonds, the Raj Gonds, married according to Hindu norms, whilst the common Gonds had their weddings officiated by a doshi, or Baiga. Bride price was an important part of the marriage system. In Gond society, widow marriage was permitted.

Their marriage laws were pro-women as well. The remarriage and divorce systems are not clumsy, but rather simple and straightforward.

Polygamy was once common among the Gonds, but it is no longer the case. Currently, Gonds believe monogamy to be the preferred type of marriage, however polygamy is used in certain unavoidable circumstances.

Furthermore, the Gonds now dissociate themselves from marriages formed by captivity, intrusion, or elopement, and regard these people as anti-social. They admire marriage as a result of proper planning, and they all enthusiastically engage in it. In Gond society, cross-cousin marriages are still common.