Place/Location (then and now)All over central India; spread over the states of Madhya Pradesh, eastern Maharashtra (Vidarbha), Chhattisgarh (Bastar), Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Western Odisha. Gonds live mostly around the Satpura Hills, Maikala Range, Son-Deogarh uplands on the Bastar plateau and Garhjat Hills of northern Odisha. PopulationOver 10 million (source: Wikipedia) Languages spokenGondi (closely related to Telugu), some Gonds also speak Hindi Names of some forms of God worshippedPharsa Pen, Baradeo (the Great God) Food2 millets called Kodo and Kutki, and green leafy vegetables The term Gond refers to tribal people who live all over India's Deccan Peninsula. They describe themselves as as Koi or Koitur (hill people). They are the largest Tribe in India, South Asia, and perhaps the world with over 10 million people.

Historically, the Gonds were the most important group of original Indian tribes. They settled in the Gondawa in the ninth and thirteenth century AD. In the fourteen century they ruled several parts of the central India. The Gondwana kingdom survived till late 16th century. Gond dynasties ruled in four kingdoms - Garha-Mandla, Deogarh, Chanda, and Kherla in the central India. Gond Rajas ruled until they were conquered by Muslim armies in In the 1700’s, the Gond lost all power to the Maratha kings, who forced them to escape into the hills. During the British regime in India, Gonds challenged the Britishers in several battles. They also gained control over the Malwa after the decline of the Mughals followed by the Marathas in the year 1690.

Us Koitures or Gonds are organically connected with nature. Badadev, the greatest of all gods, is represented by the saja tree. Thakur Dev is associated with the pakri tree. We believe in the supernatural forces. Their protectors are the spirits, the gods and goddesses who keep them from harm. Our songs, dance forms, myths and legends, folk tales, customs and rituals reflect a close bond with nature and are all inter-related. Each Gond clan has its own god called Persa Pen, who protects all clan members. We welcome visitors with tobacco leaves, fruits/ other small gifts. Marriages in our tribe are usually chosen through mutual choice. When the tribal council approves the matches, the faher of the groom pays the bride a price. THEIR BELIEFS THEIR CUSTOMS

Our festivals are influenced from the Hindu traditions. Keslapur Jathra is the most important festival. In this festival we worship the snake deity called Nagoba. Madai is the another major festival celebrated among us. It is the festival when we meet their relatives settled in various parts of the country. During this festival we also sacrifice goat beneath the sacred village tree to appease the tribal Goddess. In the night they enjoy liquor and dance along with the tribal music. Morover, we also celebrate the Hindu festival called Dusshera. THEIR FESTIVALS

Mostly, Gonds live in a village with a headman called Mahaji/Patel. Their village council divides the Gonds into castes called Ahir, Agaria, Dhuli and Pardhan. Agriculture is their main occupation. While some Gond communities have risen to the status of landowners, many are landless labourers. Herding cattles is also a part of their livelihood.

Gonds are educated to a pretty decent level where they can understand things better. Around 25% of Gonds in Maharashtra and 15% Gonds of Madhya Pradesh are educated. The ratio of boys to girls still remain 1:5 percent. Gonds are similar to many tribal groups today in that they face severe economics hardships. Though some Gond groups own great deals of land, others are classified as Scheduled Tribes (ST), which means they are blessed with special social and economic help from the Indian government, and the local state governments.