Socio-Cultural Lifestyle of Tri-Natives: Gond, Bhil and Santhal

Abstract

Tribal lifestyle is deeply associated with their culture, art and craft. A larger mass of tribal people live in rural areas. In central India, the area of Vindhya, Satpuda and Aravali Mountain ranges, starching from east to west in the states of West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan form a big tribal belt. Gond, Bhil and Santhal are the three biggest tribal communities residing in this central tribal region of India. These three dominating groups are comparatively developed then other tribal groups of the area, though their overall economy is still based on agriculture and labor work resulting in economic backwardness. But, new generation is gradually, getting educated and exposed to salaried jobs and modern technology. Due to better communication, exposure, marketization and modernization their culture is changing with time and need. Though, they have strong bond with their indigenous culture, religion and art, which has kept their tradition and lifestyle intact with relevant changes. But, changing lifestyle and economy has affected their art and craft. Themes, raw material and technology are changing their forms, symbols and patterns. Paintings have shifted from walls to canvas and taken professional shape. Festive and regular enjoyment with dance and music had developed as stage performance. But, they have not at all lost touch with their roots and cultural awareness is again revitalizing their bond with traditional dance, music and other art and craft forms. Celebrations are still celebrated with tribal songs and dances within the village's open courtyard. There are also several cultural and culinary habits, languages, social structures inclusive of marriage, and varieties of consciousness.