Tribals
in Bastar (Chhattisgarh)
Abhuj Maria Tribals (Bastar)
The
Abhuj Maria tribals are one of the main Gonds tribes.They live in interior forest
of Narayanpur Tehsil of Bastar districts.The area in which they inhabited is
known as Abhuj Maria region which has been spread over 1500 sq miles which is
a dense forest area.
The Abhuj Marias are hill Marias who are virtually living in isolation .They
used to dreaded by the out siders since the Abhuj Marias could shoot down the
strangers with their arrows.
Since they are living in isolation, keeping themselves away from the touch of
the outerworld and leading a savage life , their traditional culture ,moral
living values and social security has not yet been disturbed.They are one of
the rare tribal groups of India living in this traditional way.
In the matter of dress their needs are very small and money they do not covet
at all. Both men and women wear only a piece of cloth round the waist , and
for ornament several iron rings , some times as many as 20 round their necks.Small
brass rings are sometimes strung on the large iron rings.Ear rings are commonly
worn , when women being found with 14 holes bored in her ear and two rings in
each of some the holes.
These people are not cleanly in their habits , and even when a Maria does bathe
he does not wash his solitary garments but leaves it on the bank.When drinking
from a stream they do not take up water in their hands but put their mouth down
to it like cattle.
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