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There
are mainly two types of tribes found in the Sirohi District. |
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The
primitive nature of bhils is confirmed by the facts that its description
can be found in the oldest epics and religious books like Mahabharata,
the Ramayana and the puranas. In the Mahabharata, there is a story,
according to which 'Vrishabha' the van of Lord Shiva, was stolen
and killed by one of his sons. Having got infuriated over this parnicious
and heinous act, he dispelled him and drove him away to the scheduled
and desolated forests and moutains. The descendants of that son
were named as 'Bhils'. Even now-a-days, the Bhils in the Abu region
are sometimes found stealing bulls for farming.
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According
to the Ramayana, Lord Rama eat the prunes defiled and half-eaten
by the 'SHABRI'. That Shabri was from Bhil tribe. Valmiki, the first
poet, was born at the home of Bhil. In the Mahabharata there is
a description about AKlavya who was reputed to be a skilled Archer.
Aklavya was the example from Bhil tribe who was described in the
Mahabharat epic as the expert in the Archery and who learnt this
techique himself in front of the statue of the Guru "Dronacharya",
who was also the Guru of "ARJUN" main hero of the Mahabharata epic.
Aklavya given his thumb to Guru DRONACHARYA as Guru Dakhsina.
In history, there is also a description about the Jetasi Parmar of Abu was attacked by King Bhimdeva the second of Gujarat. The aides of Jetasi parmar were Bhils. The Supporters of the Brave RANA Pratap was also Bhils. Till today for bestowing regards upon bhils, they are called Bhil Ranas. Bhils residing in the Abu area consider themselves superior than the other Bhils. These Bhils called temselves as "GAMETI" Bhils and are very close to the other tribe GRASIYA of the same region. As civilization developed and flourished, the life style of the Bhils also change and they are divided into two categories, one - which resides in the colonies, village, town ad cities and another- which resides in forest and hills. |
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According
to some prominent thinkers the word 'Grasiya' is a possible combination
of words 'Giri' ad 'Vasi' means 'Inhabitant'. The wrod 'Girivasi'
had been gradually transformed into word 'Grasiya' still lives in
and around the mountains by making small huts which are called 'Oras'.
The castes 'Bhil' and 'Grasiya' have many races, clans and sub-castes that are called 'Gotras' or 'Gotaras'. The Grasiyas abiding the Abu region have several sub-castes such as Parmars, Dugaisas, Taivaras, Bubrias and Madaria, Chauhans etc. |
Houses
& thier Strctures
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Generally
houses of the Bhils and Grasiya are sitated on the slopes of the
hillocks having waterfall nearby and some piece of land for clutivation.
The houses are having one open varanda and a room covered with earthen
tiles bakked in fire. Under these tiles they use Dhav wood and Bamboo
for retaining those tiles. Grasiyas have two bullocks , one cow
and goats. To fetch the water they used to go to the nearest well
hand pump etc. with the pond on their heads. But enjoy their life
according to norms decided by their society.
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Physic,
Built and their Nature
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There
is no difference between the physic of the Bhils and the Grasiya.
These people are generally thin and short in height. Bhils are comparatively
darker in complexion than Grasiya's. Bhils have long face, short
nose and pressed cheeks and dusky eyes. Grasiya have balance body.
Grasiya women are generally shorter in height and fair complexed.
They generally have bulging face. As far as the their body figure
and healthare concerned, a Bhil women is similar to that of Grasiya
women but the former is more darker in complexion than the latter
The beutiful complexions of both the women purified by their hard
labour really seems to be charming and attractive.
Naturewise the Grasiya women is generally Shy, honest and labourious. Grasiyas are very positive in attitude and they have full confidence in themselves. They are very co-operative in nature, peace loving people. Bhils of Abu also have some what same type of nature but they more aggressive in nature and have feeling of revenge in them. Also Bhil have bad nature of stealing. But Bhils are very loyal and famous for their bravery. |
Costumes
and ornaments
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Costumes
of Grasiya and Bhil is simple. Grasiya male wears a Dhoti, Shirt
(Jhoolki) and Turban nicknamed as PHETA. Grasiya likes to fix a
Plant-twig or a flower-kalangi to his turban. On his waist, there
is a sword or a dagger. Besides this, he is also fond of keeping
mirror and a comb with him all the time. He is also a fond of ornaments
A grasiya male likes to have a 'Natali' oh his hand, a 'Pagala'
or a Hansali around his neck and 'Zhelas' or brass 'Markis' on his
ears. Te Grasiya do not have 'Markis' made up of sliver or Roopa.
Among them, there is a custom to wear silver 'Beris' or 'Lunger'
on their feet.
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Glad
in red Gihegaras (petticoats) 'Zhulakis' and Odhanis the Grasiya
women look attractive. The unmmarried Grasiya girls wears red, yellow
and dark lac bangles on their hands. This is a glaring sign of their
being unmarried. After having got married they have to put on ivory
bangles. The Grasiya women wears 'Bors' or 'Zhabas' made of silver
and 'Dornas' or 'Totis' on their ears. Some of them put on their
ears 'Peer polis' made of grass. A Grasiya women has a silver Barli
around her neck, Damani (Jhalas) on her heir and a Kota (Nath) on
her nose. She wears Gujari on her hands which is made of some metal
and Kadalas made of silver or zinc on her feet. She also wears a
ring made up of silver or brass. Grasiya women used to comb their
hair in stylist and distinguished manner and apply to their hair
braids silver JHOOMAKAS that are pearl fitted,. They apply collyrium
to their eyes and a Sindoor grop on their forehead.
There is a queer custom among both the Bhil and Grasiya women of getting parts of body totooed. They generally have tatooings on almost all the visible parts of their body. They get bodies tatooed with flowers, leave and birds or with their own names tatooings can be found even own their tender and delicate parts such as eyebrows, necks, chins and hands. Some of the women put artificial moles on their cheeks and chins. Men too are fond tatooed but they are only interested in getting their hands tatooed. |
Food
& Drink
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The
main food of the Bhils and Grasiya are Maize. Wheat is also used
on special occassions and hospitality. Beside Maize and Wheat, KURA,
KODRA, BATTI, SANGLI, KORANG etc. are used as food. Roti of Maize
also called SOGRA with CHATNI, GREEN CHILLI or SALT and Curd Lassi
are also used as food. The fruits found in the forest are also the
part of their food. Grasiya give special importance to the hospitality.
Their sweat dish is LAPSI. GUGHRI (Boiled wheat) and CHURMA (Powder
of fry Wheat with Ghee and Sugar) is also occassionally used. Grasiya
and Bhils are Non - Vegetarian. They eat meat of Goats, hens, partridges,
quails, pigs, larks, hares and antelopes etc. The Bhils eat the
flesh of buffaloes and peacocks too. The Grasiayas, on the other
hand are prohibited from eating flesh of cow, buffalo and peacocks.
Both the tribes are very fond local liquor called "KHATIYA". 90
% population of both the tribes use liquor which they manufacture
themselves secretly using fruit of MAHUA tree called MAHUDA. Most
of the Grasiya and Bhils use tobacco.
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Source
Of Income
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The
main source of the income of the Grasiya and the Bhil is Agriculture
and the Animal Husbandary. Poultary farming and labour are also
used as source of income. Occassionally they are in indulge in robbery
and theft due to poverty. They posses knowldge of maufacturing the
agricultural equipments and are also aware of repairing them. They
collect GUM, Ayurvedic Medicines and Honey and sale to generate
income. The economic condition of the tribes is horrible. As area
of agriculture land is small and family members are more in number
and divided among these members and therefore each member get a
very small piece of land for cultivation. Therefore, each family
is under the pressure of debt. Other than "KHARIF" crop there is
no other organized buisness availbale to raise their income. Therefore
their per capita income is very low. BARTER system of market is
popular for purchase of the goods. The buisnessmen make fool of
them by taking advantage of their ignorance. There are lot ill practices
in the society like throwing out from the Society, Drinking, Feast
on the occassion of the death etc. are also responsible for the
poverty of these people.
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Agriculture
& Animal Husbandary
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KHARIF
Crop is the main crop of the Grasiya tribe but they give more importance
to labour. In Kharif they give Maize cultivation the main stress.
They use old and traditional method for the cultivation. In hill
the land is not furtile therefore they cultivate the on slope using
ox. The women actively support the males in the farming. They cut
the Khajoor trees to increase the water level. They take Wheat,
Channa, and Jo etc as RABI crop.
These people are not aware of the imporved and modern methods of the cultivation and these methods are also not affordable for them. Beside farming, Animal husbadary is also there source of income. |
Social
Life and Tradition
DAPA is the tradition of marrage practiced in both the tribes
in which inlaws of the girls give money to the inlaws of the boys.
There are many types of marriages practices in the bhils community.
The Bhils who cannot afford to give money, forcefully kidnape
the girl and make marriage with her with all the tradition and
customs of the soceity and the parents of the girls are informed.
Death funeral is done according to hindu traditions. Only male takes part in the funeral. The ashes of the dead body is thrown in the river. The shock of the condolense is continued till the first festival arrives. In this period of condolense the male wears white safa. The end of the condolense is done by the son in law or the brother in law. On this occassion males drink liqour and talk about the dead person. |
Festivals
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The
tribals of the Abu region can't help rejoicing by drinking, singing
and dancing on the eve of the festivals such as Deepawali, Holi,
Dusshera (Vijay Dashmi), Rakshabandhan and Gangaur etc. On the eve
of the festivals, the tribals assemble at a place and then go to
the home of the chief a the village locally called Mukhiya or the
Patel. The chief gets a goat cut, has the maize mash prepared and
arranges a feast on the occassion. On the eve of the Dusshera, they
worship thears and on the Aksaya Tritiya they forebode about the
happenings of the whole of the year. On the occassion of the Navaratri,
they worship the Goddess for nine days and then on the day of the
Vijay Dashmi or Dusshera, tey sacrifice a bison. On the eve of the
Dipawali, all the people of the village go to each and every house
of the tribals and wander about pronouncing the words 'MERAYO MERAYO'.
The person whom they approach throws some oil into the Deepak or
the Mashal. The group of people who wander about in such a manner
is called 'Deepawali'. When the night falls, this group of people
or 'Diwali' rests at the very house of their waitings. The master
of the house feeds all the persons with the bread prepared from
the corn measuring three Manas. Three Manas of corn weigh about
fifteen kilos of corn. On the eve of the Gangaur, they worship the
Goddess Parvati and make the Gavari dance. The Holi is the main
and the long lasting festival of the tribals. From the Basant Panchamy
they start dancing, singing and besting drums in groups. The Gair
dance in these days is very attractive.
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Songs
& Music
The
songs of the tribes are mainly the Folk Songs. The Folk Songs are the
best media to communicate the pains and joy of the people. We find the
feelings of Joy, happines, pains in the folk music and as well as the
cultre of the people. It is rich heritage which are diminishing as the
civilization is developed from time to time. The love is the basis of
thier lives to forget the pain and harness of theie lives. Therefore their
songs are full of love, joy & happiness, by which they are inspired
to live in these difficult conditions. The courage and braveness of their
caste is expressed in the songs.
To celebrate different festivals, these tribals have different lyrics and songs to sing. The tribals of the Abu region do not depend upon the musical instruments for their songs and lyrics.
To celebrate different festivals, these tribals have different lyrics and songs to sing. The tribals of the Abu region do not depend upon the musical instruments for their songs and lyrics.
Art
& Culture
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The
tribals of the Abu region are the carriers of the fine arts and
culture. They are skilled in making idols of Gods and Goddesses
from the earth and buttery stones. They are well acquainted with
the merits and demerits of different herbs. To keep their corn safe,
they make 'Kotalas' out of earth. There are carving and paintig
on them.
Their language is MARU which seems to be the mountain form of Gurjar. The Maru language is spoken by turning the begining ' Akar' into 'Ekar'. For example the word 'Jamai' is spoken as 'Jamai'. Their art, culture and language need to be deeply studied because they are likely to disappear because of the fast approaching urban culture. |
Rebaries
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The
Rebaris are mostly shepherd, and some of them possess flocks and
herds of their own; many are farmers. Animal Husbandry is main source
of income. They are mostly vegeterian and allow widow remarriage.
They are nomedic, and spend most of their time wandering with their
herds.
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Intercaste
Relations - The breaking down of caste barriers is not yet a
noticeable phenomenon in the area.
Superstitious beliefs - People are highly superstitious. The main Superstitions centre around the interpretation of dreams, acts like sneezing and appearance of certain animals of classes of persons under given circumstances. Others include the followings. (a) Rebairs have common belief in the quivering of the different parts of the body and their various interpretations. (b) Certain days are auspicious while others are forbidden to start any new work. (c) An evil eye, they believe, affects adversely the food, beautiful garments and health of children. To avoid it, they mark the forehead and cheeks of the children with black spots or tikkis and put a charcoal in the dish in which food is served. (d) uttering the names of certain villages, example, Mandar, Anadara, Motagam etc., bring hardship during the day. (e) Oaths of their near relatives or deities are binding. |
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