Abujhmadiya Tribe

News: The Abujhmadiya tribe is in news because its members are increasingly participating in the Bastar Olympics sports tournament.

About Abujhmadiya Tribe

• It is sub-group and sub-caste of the Gond tribe of the Central India region.
  • On racial grounds, they are placed in the Pre-Dravidian or Proto-Australoid group, with generally medium height and strong physique.
• Location: They inhabit the dense forests and hilly terrains of the Abujhmarh region, which spans the Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Dantewada districts of Chhattisgarh, bordering Maharashtra and Odisha.
• It is also recognized as one of the seven Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Chhattisgarh.
• Language: Speak ‘Madi’, a local dialect of the Dravidian language family’s Gondi dialect.
• Chief Deities: Major deities include Budhadeva, Thakur Dev (Tallubhet), Budhimai or Budhi Dokri, and Lingopen.
• They also have a house god (Chota pen, Bada pen, Manjhla pen) and a clan god (Gotranusara as the Kul Devta).
• Nature Worship: The tribe worships natural elements such as the Sun, Moon, rivers, mountains, and the Earth.
• Festivals : Major festivals include Pola, Kakasar, and Pandum, often linked to agricultural cycles.
• Dance and Music: Men and women are very fond of dancing and singing. Key dances include Kaksar, Gedi dance, and Rilo.
  • Traditional musical instruments like drums and flutes are used during performances.
• Folk Songs: Their folk songs include Dadriya, Relogeet, Poojageet, songs for marriage, engagement, and baby showers (chhatthi).
• Body Art: Tattooing (Godana) is considered a permanent jewel for Abujhmaria women.
• Social Structure:
  • The society is patriarchal and organized into clans (gotras).
  • They have a traditional caste panchayat system led by a Manjhi (chief).