Gond

The Gonds are one of the largest indigenous communities in India, traditionally inhabiting central India. They are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in multiple states and are concentrated in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat, with communities also present in neighboring areas.

The Gondi language belongs to the Dravidian language family and has numerous dialects. It is commonly written in Devanagari, Telugu, Kannada, and Odia scripts, and there are ongoing efforts to standardize a native Gondi script.

Historically, the Gonds established regional kingdoms in central India, and the term Gondwana denotes the historic political and cultural region inhabited by Gonds. The Garha-Katanga (Garha-Mandla) realm is among the best documented in traditional sources, reflecting the long-standing political presence of Gonds in the area.

Gond culture is noted for its rich artistic and ritual traditions. Traditional arts include Pithora painting, a form of mural storytelling, and various dance and music forms tied to village life. Social organization is typically clan-based and exogamous, with a religious life centered on a pantheon of nature spirits and ancestors; Bhimsen is among the widely venerated deities in some communities.

In contemporary times, Gonds engage in farming, forest-based livelihoods, and increasing numbers in urban occupations. They face development challenges related to education, health, and land and forest rights, while continuing to maintain language, crafts, and cultural practices in changing social contexts.