Tribal Culture And Traditions In Madhya Pradesh

 Many of the tribal traditions in the state are still vital and strong, although they have been exposed in varying degrees to outside cultural influences. A great deal tribal traditions, especially mythology and folklore, have been preserved , though they have been exposed to out side culture influences . The Pondwani and the Lachmanjati legends are the Gond equivalents of the Mahabharat and Ramayana.

The Bards of the Gond continue to sing of the legendary deeds of Lingo-pen, the mythical originator of the Gond tribe. All tribe retain myths and legends regarding their origins, and they have songs for the ceremonies of birth and marriage, together with folktales, riddles, and proverbs illustrating their culture heritage.
Gonds in Bastar remain perhaps the least in contact with the world outside due to the remoteness and ruggedness of the terrain. The institution of Ghotul at Abujmarh- a dormitory for the unmarried teenagers to live together, select their mate and gain valuable experience to set up their own household-has attracted considerable scholarly attention.

A Marriage Procession.Similarly, the Bhagoriya festival at the time of Holi, the festival of colours, in the Jhabua region cannot be compared with any other celebration. Bhil youths indulge in colourful frolic excited by the prospects of meeting their future spouse. If some maiden strikes the prospective groom’s fancy, all he has to do is to offer a betel leaf to the girl. If she accepts, the two elope in the time honoured tradition to set up their house together.

The marriage can be solemnized subsequently. Incidentally the word bhagoriya may be literally translated as elopers.