- This is the fourth largest tribal group of Rajasthan, in terms of population, which has been included in the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) by the Government of India.
- They mainly live in Kishanganj and Shahbad tehsils of Baran district. Apart from this, this tribe also lives in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
- Nuclear family, polygamy and Nata system are prevalent among them.
- Sitabari fair (Baran) is their holy place.
- The main basis of their economy is forest produce and shifting agriculture.
- Location : Predominantly found in Abu Road and Pindwara tehsil of Sirohi, Bali of Pali district, and Gogunda and Kotra tehsil of Udaipur in Rajasthan.
- Village and Housing: Houses are called ‘Gher’ and villages ‘Faliya.’
- Social and Cultural Life:
- Marriage Types: Mor Badhiya, Peharawana,Tadana marriage (Bride price is paid by the groom’s family). Widow marriage, love marriage are also prevalent in them.
- Family Structure: Live in nuclear families with the father as the head.
- Social Divisions: Divided into three sections: Moti nyat, Nenki Nyat, and Nichli Nyat.
- Fairs: Koteshwar fair near Ambaji, Chetar Vichitar fair near Devla, and Gangaur fair of Gogunda.
- Dances: Main dances include Valar, Garba, Gair, Moriya, and Gaur.
- Dialect: A mix of Gujarati, Bhili, Mewari, and Marwari.
- Dress and Appearance: Males wear dhoti, kameez, and a head towel. Tradition of tattoo making, with tattoos on females’ foreheads and chins.
- Religion: Worship Shiva, Bhairav, and Durga.
Economy:
- Based on agriculture, animal husbandry, wood-cutting, and forest product collection.
- Increasingly involved in labor work in towns and cities.
- Practice ‘Hari Bhawri,‘ a form of community farming.
- Store food grains in ‘Sohri’ (Kothi).
Bhils rank second in Rajasthan’s tribal population, concentrated mainly in Banswara, Dungarpur, and Udaipur districts. They are among India’s oldest tribes, speaking Bhili and Vagri dialects. Socially patrilineal, they are primarily farmers and renowned archers traditionally.
Habitat and Housing
- Uneven and Forested Lands: Bhils typically inhabit uneven and forested lands, reflecting their close connection to nature.
- Traditional Housing: Their houses are constructed using bamboo and wood, materials readily available in their surroundings.
- Regional Distinctions:
- Paalvi Bhils: Bhils residing on higher hills are known as ‘Paalvi.
- Vagri Bhils: Bhils residing in the plains are referred to as ‘Vagri’.
Social Life
- Patrilineal Gotras: Bhils have several patrilineal gotras known as ‘Atak’.
- Marriage Practices: Various types → Mor Bandhiya marriage, marriage by capture, child marriage, marriage by exchange, marriage by service, and marriage by purchase.
- Family Structure: In comparison to joint families, nuclear families are more common among the Bhils.
- Village Structure: The head of the village is referred to as ‘Gameti’. Smaller villages are called “Fala” and larger ones are called ‘Paal’.
- Cultural Practices:
- Dances: Gawri and Ghoomar are the main dances of the Bhil community.
- Fair and Festivals:
- The worship of goddess Parvati, known as the ‘Gavri’ festival in the month of Shrawan, is a significant festival among the Bhils.
- Beneshwar Fair: The famous Beneshwar fair of the Bhil community takes place annually on the full moon day (Poornima) of the month of Maagh at the confluence of the rivers Mahi, Som, and Jakham.
- Traditional Attire and Ornaments: Bhil males wear a kameez or ‘Angrakhi’, tight-fitted dhoti called ‘hepada’, and a turban called ‘Potya’. Females wear ghagra, lugdi, and choli as their traditional outfits. Ornaments made up of metals like silver, brass, and nickel are common among both males and females, along with tattoo making.
- Religious Practices: Besides Hindu gods and goddesses, the Bhils also worship local deities such as Dharal, Birsa Munda, Kalaji Goraji, Mataji, Govind Guru, and Lasodia Maharaj.
Economic Status of Bhils
- Nomadic Lifestyle: Traditionally, the Bhils have been a very poor tribe, often leading a nomadic lifestyle.
- Transition to Farming and Animal husbandry: Many Bhils have now transitioned to farming activities in various places.
- Farming on hill slopes is known as ‘Chimata’, while farming in plain areas is called ‘Dajiya’.
- In addition to farming, Bhils also engage in animal rearing as a part of their economic activities.
- Forest-based Livelihood: Fishing, hunting, and collecting forest products, particularly by children and females, form an integral part of their economic system.
- The Mahua tree holds significant importance among the Bhils, likely due to its economic value as well as cultural significance.
- Transition to Wage Labor: Presently, some Bhils have also started working as wage laborers in nearby cities and towns, indicating a shift in their economic activities.
