Tribal Culture

Districts / Region

Maharashtra state had several tribes residing over centuries. There are some tribal districts like Palghar and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. North Konkan, Khandesh and Vidarbha have some tribal belts known for tribal culture.Maharashtra state has had several tribes residing over centuries. There are some tribal districts like Palghar and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. North Konkan, Khandesh and Vidarbha have some tribal belts known for tribal culture.

Unique Features

Maharashtra has two tribal ethnic groups of tribes known as Bhils and Gonds. These ethnic groups comprise many tribes within them. Tribal groups in Western Maharashtra mainly concentrated in Nandurbar and surrounding areas in Khandesh and Palghar district of Konkan. While in eastern Maharashtra, tribes belong to the central Indian tribal belt, concentrated in Chandrapur, Vidarbha, Gondia and other districts of Maharashtra. Warli, Dheda, Dubala, Konkana, Mahadev Koli and others are the significant tribes belonging to the Bhil group and are seen in Western Maharashtra. The various subgroups of Gonds and Pradhan, Kolam are some of the tribes representing Gond groups of tribes in Vidarbha

The tribal costume is simple and adapted to the environment as well as their subsistence. A simple power garment like a Dhoti or pants is a common feature. Poverty usually doesn't allow many of them to have elaborate dhoti or so. Women wear Saree, which is shorter in length than the Saree worn by Urban or rural women. Sometimes it is worn mainly as a lower garment, and the upper garment is like a blouse.

Tribes are known for their unique ornaments. These are mainly made of silver, copper, terracotta, flowers, beads, shells, etc. Tribes ornament their bodies with tattoos that have socio-religious significance.