Dandami Maria

Indian civilization is a mosaic of many cultures, within which tribal cultures hold significant importance, especially in the context of modern man’s search for his roots. According to Census reports, about 6.97% of India’s population are tribals. The numerical strength of tribes varies widely, from about two dozen (e.g., Andamanese) to more than 5 million (e.g., Bhils). These tribes encompass various racial types, including proto-Australoid, Mongoloid, Negrito stocks, with contributions from Palaealpine, Nordic, Mediterranean, and Negroid backgrounds. Their languages belong to all the major language families, though Austric, Dravidian, and Tibeto-Chinese predominate.

Traditionally, the tribals live on agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry. However, most tribal societies are rapidly adjusting themselves to the changing milieu.

Dandami Maria

The Dandami Maria, also known by other names like Bison-Horn Maria and Khalpati Maria, is a subgroup of the Gond, one of the largest tribes in India. Their home is the verdant forests in Bastar District of Madhya Pradesh. The Dandami Maria are particularly noted for their splendid bison-horn headgear, topped with resplendent peacock feathers, which adds a striking visual element to their life and leisure.

The Dandami Maria live primarily by agriculture, supplemented by hunting and fishing. They typically wear minimal clothing, with a piece of loincloth being their primary garment, leaving them mostly bare-bodied. An important social institution among them is the ghotul, a youth dormitory for unmarried boys and girls, which plays a crucial role in their social life. They also permit divorce and widow remarriage, reflecting a degree of social flexibility.

(Consultant for text: B. K. Roy Burman)