By: JAYASHREE PRUSTY
According to the 2011 census, India is home to 705 tribal communities, constituting 8.6% of the total population. The following states have designated Gond as a scheduled tribe: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, and West Bengal, with a total population of 1,13,44,629. This tribe accounts for 13.45% of the total scheduled tribe population in India. Madhya Pradesh has the highest percentage of Gonds in its scheduled tribe population. This article explores the existing and evolving socio-cultural life of the Gond community in Nabarangpur district, Odisha. The data was collected through individual interviews and group discussions using random and purposive sampling methods. This study utilizes ethnographic research to thoroughly document and analyze Gond’s traditional cultural practices, religious practices, and their social structure. The social structure encompasses family, clan, livelihood, and political organization, among others. Additionally, it underscores the organization’s capacity for adaptation to evolving circumstances. The findings of this research offer a more comprehensive insight into the ongoing and evolving culture of the Gond tribe.
