TRIBE OF INDIA: THE BHILS

 





INTRODUCTION:-

  • Bhils are an Adivasi ethnic group in West India. Bhils can be attributed as the pioneers in safeguarding ethnic Indian culture, traditions and values.
  •  Various anthropological studies have also been conducted on the Bhil tribe by several researchers. They are the largest majority tribal community of India. 
  • They are a listed tribe in the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. A small proportion of Bhils are also found in Tripura and Bangladesh.
  •  Currently, they speak the Marathi, Gujarati and the Bhili language dialect. 

HISTORY:-
  • The Bhils of Gujarat had rebelled on several occasions against the British colonizers in the years of 1846, 1857-58 and 1868.
  • The British had designated the Bhil tribe as a criminal tribe under the Criminal Tribes Act 1871.
  • In the year 1881, they protested against the census classification and the manufacture ban on alcohol.   
  • A social reformer Govind Guru was able to influence the Bhil tribe to abolish their practice of alcohol and meat consumption.
  • Due to immense efforts by this tribe village councils were formed and forced labour was also abolished.


DWELLINGS AND LIVING:-

  • Mostly, the Bhils live in rectangular two-storied houses of timber frame and bamboo walls.
  • The plaster that is utilized in their houses is prepared from clay, plaster and cattle dung.
  • The main functionality of these houses is that they remain cool in hot temperatures of western India and are relatively insulated against cold in winter season.
  • The kitchen of their house is always located on one side of the primary room.
  • There are elongated verandas and spacious rooms in their houses.
  • Manure, food grains and necessary equipments for hunting and agriculture are also found in their houses.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES:-

  • Main diet of Bhils includes maize, onion, garlic and chilly.
  • It is cultivated by them  cultivate in their small fields. 
  •  fruits and vegetables from the local forests are collected by them.
  •  Wheat and rice are utilized at time of celebrations and rare occasions.


RELIGION:-

  • The Bhil people are a polytheistic tribe as per their indigenous culture. 
  • Every village has a deity called Gramdev and families  have their Jatidev, Kuldev and Kuldevi as their domestic idol which is in the form of stones.
  • They also worship the deities of Lord Shiva and Devi Durga.
  • Small percentage of Bhils also follow Christianity.
LANGUAGES:-

  • Bhili language is the most widely spoken language by the Bhils.
  • There are around 36 dialects of Bhili that are spoken across various parts of India.
  • Bhili is based on Gujarati but, it's dialects are also spoken other geographical regions.
  • Around 10 million people recorded them as speakers of Bhili language in the census of 2011.
  • However, through the years Bhili has also been considered as a minor language of a major language such as Gujarati and Marathi.
  • Thus, the exact number of Bhili speakers cannot be ascertained.
CULTURE:-

  • A rich and varied culture is possessed by this tribe.
  • The famous Ghoomar dance is a creation of this tribe.
  • Ghoomar is also considered as a strong symbol of womanhood.
  • Young girls take part in Ghoomar dance and declare that they have also entered the phase of womanhood.


ART:-

  • The use of multi-colored dots in filling the spaces is a peculiar characteristic of the Bhili painting.
  • Bhuri Bai is known as the first Bhil artist to have used commercially available paints and papers and give a modern touch to the art of Bhili paintings.
  • A handful of families have to this day conserved their indigenous drawing, painting and crafting practices.
DRESSING:-
  • Men's traditional attire includes Pagri, Angarkha, Dhoti and a Gamchha.
  • Bhils wear a variety of traditional ornaments. 
  • Kada, Bajuband, Chain, Ear Rings, and Kardhani are all worn by men.
  • Women use hansli, rings, Zele-zumke, earring, and narniyan which are their traditional attire.

CONCLUSION:-
  • Thus, it can be concluded that the Bhil Tribe has done a magnificent task of conserving the ancient Indian and traditional culture.
  •  Despite being marginalized by the society and mainland civilization Bhils have always proved that they are the true inhabitants of this land and have always considered this country as their motherland.













 




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