Inhabiting the high plateaus of Bastar (Chhattisgarh), the Dandami Maria tribe constitute an emblematic branch of the Gond people, distinguished by their preserved cultural identity. Their culture reaches its zenith during the “Bison Dance”, a ritual in which animal power is invoked to the sound of monumental drums. This vitality is fully manifested during Bastar …
The Baiga tribe, nestled deep within the dense forests of northern Chhattisgarh, define themselves above all as the spiritual guardians of a land they refuse to harm. This devotion to the nurturing earth is matched by a profound expertise: the Baiga are masters of forest pharmacopoeia and healers whose botanical knowledge allows them to transform …
The Muria tribe, a major branch of the Gond ethnic group, inhabits the highlands and forests of the Bastar district in Chhattisgarh. Their identity revolves around the Ghotul, a central community institution that governs youth education and village social cohesion. This organisation is grounded in a rigorous egalitarian structure, wherein oral traditions, ancestral rites, and …
Nestled within the rugged terrain of Odisha’s Niyamgiri Hills, the Dongria Kondh cultivate a sovereign elegance that finds expression as much in their adornments as in their bond with the land. For these “guardians of the peaks,” aesthetics and ecology converge in a form of prayer: every spring and every ridge constitutes a sanctuary dedicated …
Nestled within the rugged folds of the Malkangiri district, on the fringes of the state of Odisha, lives the fascinating Bonda tribe, a true mirror of our most distant origins. According to prevailing anthropological theories, they are the direct descendants of the first great human migration to emerge from the African continent. Approximately 60,000 years …
The Lanjia Saura of Odisha constitute one of India’s most extraordinary tribes. Mentioned in millennia-old chronicles, this community maintains a constant dialogue with the invisible realm under the guidance of female shamans, veritable bridges between worlds. Amidst perched villages and ancestral rituals, setting out to meet them offers an enriching immersion into the very roots …
Nestled at the foot of the Aravalli Mountains in the peaceful Pali district, the village of Ghanerao is an invitation to travel back in time. Once a powerful princely “thikana,” located on the strategic border of Mewar and Marwar, this little-known corner of Rajasthan offers a peaceful escape off the beaten track. It’s the perfect …
Along with Dussehra, Phagun Madai is another important festival of Bastar region in the state of Chhattisgarh. It is organized every year in Dantewada, a town located 80 km south of Jagdalpur where 60% of the population is “adivasi”, that is to say of indigenous origin. This 10-day festival, which takes place during the month …
If you are looking for a rather unknown little corner of India, Chhattisgarh will not disappoint you. It is one of the few states in India where a large part of the population is composed of “Adivasi”, that is to say indigenous peoples. During my third trip in Chhattisgarh, I was lucky enough to stay …
