Culture of Chhattishgarh

Culture and Religion

Up to Nal dynasty the peoples were divided into four different classes named Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shoodra. But after the downfall of Nal dynasty a lot of people came from outside and also the main casts divided into sub casts. There were around 62 casts in Bastar and Kanker states. In tribes Maria, Muria, Bhatra, Parja, Gadva, Halba, Ganda, Mahra, Chandal, Ghuruva, Dom, Lohar, Matrigond, Rajgond, Dorla, Nahar, Naikpod, Kuduk, Andkuri, Kumhar, Kosta, Chamar, Kenvat, Dhakad, were important and in other casts Brahmin, Vaishya, Kayasth, Teli, Kalar, Kshtriya, Kunbi, Dhobi, Marathi, Mohammedan, Pathan, Telanga, Orria and Rohilla etc were important. currently in Kanker district Around 50 percent of total population is tribal. so the most of the culture of kanker district is tribal dominant. Although in this modern era the culture has slightly changed.

Family Structure

In all casts people lived as a joint family. All the families were male dominant. The oldest

person was head of the family and all other members used to obey his orders. The oldest person of the family had full authority of all financial matters. All sons had same share in total financial balance but daughters had no share. In tribes there is a important role of women.

Marrige

Like all other cultured casts the marriage ceremony is very important in the tribes of Kanker and Bastar. In general a man had only one wife. But in higher class like dynasties and landlords more than one wife was allowed. In Halbas two types of marriage are popular name brief marriage and detailed marriage. In bhatras four types of marriages are popular named arrange marriage, Love marriage, widow marriage and dhariya marriage. In murias arrange marriage, Love marriage and kidnapping marriages are popular. In all types of Gonds arrange marriage, love marriage and kidnapping marriages are popular. in tribes if any woman choose new husband then the new husband gives money to the old husband as compensation allowance. This compensation is settled by the leader of cast. In tribes the marriage of widow is also popular. In Halbas any widow can not be married with any unmarried person. In tribes there is a popular tradition named Ghotul. Ghotul is a cultural centre of Gonds and Murias. It is used as a meeting centre of brides and grooms.

Festivals

In tribes of Kanker and Baster There is a important festival celebrated called Madai. In Bastar Region the celebration of festival starts from december. On Poornima the Madai festival celebrates in respect of the goddess Kesharpal Kesharpalin Devi. In january the people of Kanker, Charama and Kurna celebrate the Madai festival. In the month of February the festival again goes to Bastar district and their the festival celebrated in the respect of Cheri-Chher-Kin. In the ending of February the Madi festival goes to Antagarh, Narayanpur and Bhanupratappur and in the month of March it goes to Kondagaon, Keshkal and bhopalpattanam. This festival is a moving festival and moves throughout the Kanker, Bastar and Dantewada regions from December to march. The festival celebrated in the respect of local God and Goddess. This festival is celebrated in a big ground where thousand of peoples can go simultaneously. In starting tribes arranged a procession of local God or Goddess after that the worship is done and then the festival starts. A lot of shops, Restaurant, crafts, dances and other cultural program can be seen in this festival. Outsider people comes to that place and enjoy in the festival. Although the festival is of tribes but all the communities have faith, celebrate and enjoy the festival. In other festivals Mati-tihar, Gobar-boharani, Ramnavmi, Navakhani are important. Dusshera, Diwali, Holi are celebrated as usual like the other parts of India.

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Culture of Chhattishgarh