Tribes & Culture — Set 14

Correct Answer: B. Genealogy recitation and praise singing for Bhil households

The Bheel Bhaat (Bhil Bhat) are a service caste within Bhil tribal society who traditionally serve as genealogists, oral historians, and praise singers for Bhil families. They maintain genealogical records through oral tradition and recite the ancestry of Bhil families during important ceremonies like weddings and funerals. This oral genealogical tradition is an important form of social record-keeping in a community without written records. The Bhaats travel between Bhil communities during festivals and ceremonies and are compensated with gifts and food. Similar genealogist communities exist across Rajasthan and western India.

Correct Answer: B. Mud and bamboo/timber houses with thatched roofs

Traditional tribal dwellings in Madhya Pradesh are typically single or double-roomed structures built with mud walls and bamboo or timber frames, roofed with tiles, thatch, or bamboo. The Baiga people traditionally build particularly elegant rectangular houses with steep thatched roofs. Gond houses often have mud walls decorated with intricate Gond art patterns. These structures are well-adapted to the local climate, being cool in summer and warm in winter due to the insulating properties of mud. Modern development has replaced many traditional structures with concrete buildings, but traditional architecture is being revived in eco-tourism projects.

Correct Answer: C. Eastern MP in Raipur-Bilaspur region (sharing border with Chhattisgarh)

The Kamar tribe, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), primarily inhabits the forested areas in eastern Madhya Pradesh near the Chhattisgarh border, particularly in districts like Shahdol and Anuppur. The Kamar people are traditionally forest dwellers known for their skills in bamboo craft, basket weaving, and hunting-gathering. They worship nature spirits and practice a form of animism. The government has launched specific rehabilitation and development programs for Kamar communities given their PVTG status and vulnerability.

Correct Answer: B. Ancestral spirits and protective deities of the village

The Marhiya or Memnath iron pillars found in Gond tribal villages of Madhya Pradesh represent protective deities and ancestral spirits believed to guard the village community. These iron pillars are placed at the village boundary and at important community spaces and are worshipped with offerings and rituals. The tradition of iron working and sacred iron objects is deeply embedded in Gond culture and tribal metallurgy. Tribal blacksmiths (Agaria community) are considered ritually important in Gond society. The iron pillar tradition reflects the animistic beliefs of Gond communities where natural materials like iron are imbued with spiritual power.

Correct Answer: C. Bhopal

The Tribal Research and Development Institute (TRDI) of Madhya Pradesh is located in Bhopal, the state capital. The institute conducts research on tribal communities, their culture, economy, and social issues, and advises the state government on policies for tribal welfare. It maintains documentation of tribal languages, arts, customs, and traditions. The institute also coordinates with the central government on matters related to Scheduled Tribes in MP. Similar tribal research institutes exist in other tribal-heavy states. The TRDI publishes research reports, organizes tribal art festivals, and maintains the tribal museum in Bhopal.

Correct Answer: A. Garha-Katanga kingdom (ruled by Gond kings including Rani Durgavati)

Mandla was the capital of the Garha-Katanga kingdom, a powerful Gond kingdom that ruled much of present-day Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh from the 14th to 16th century. The kingdom's most famous ruler was Rani Durgavati who governed from Mandla and Jabalpur. The Gond kings built several forts and palaces in the Mandla region. Mandla district remains one of the most important cultural centers of the Gond community with a high tribal population. The Ramnagar fort near Mandla was built by Gond rulers and remains an important heritage site.

Correct Answer: B. Various body parts for cultural identity, beauty, and as a permanent ornament that cannot be stolen

Godna (tattooing) is an ancient practice among Gond and other tribal communities in MP, where various body parts including hands, arms, forehead, neck, and chest are tattooed with traditional designs. The practice is especially common among women and carries deep cultural significance as a mark of tribal identity, beauty, and community belonging. A common saying among tribal communities is that Godna is the only ornament that thieves cannot steal, as it provides permanent adornment for women who may not have other jewelry. Specific tattoo designs also indicate clan membership and social status within the community.

Correct Answer: B. Thakur Dev (village deity) and earth goddess Dharti Mata

The tribal communities of eastern Madhya Pradesh, including Halba, Kondh, and Gond communities, primarily worship Thakur Dev (the village guardian deity), Dharti Mata (earth goddess), and various forest and water deities associated with agricultural productivity. These nature-based religious practices involve propitiating deities before the beginning of each agricultural season and offering first-fruits of the harvest. The village deity Thakur Dev is housed in a sacred space at the village boundary and is propitiated during major festivals. These beliefs are distinct from mainstream Hindu pantheon but have syncretically incorporated some Hindu deities over centuries.

Correct Answer: B. Scheduled Tribe children in areas with 50%+ tribal population

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are central government-funded residential schools established in areas with Scheduled Tribe populations of 50% or more, specifically to provide quality education to tribal children. Madhya Pradesh has numerous EMRS across its tribal districts. The schools provide free education, boarding, and lodging to tribal students from Class 6 to Class 12. The schools are meant to provide educational facilities comparable to the best schools in metropolitan areas to tribal children who otherwise may not have access to quality education. EMRS are funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Correct Answer: B. Nomadic hunting using nets and rope-making from sabai grass

The Birhor tribe is a nomadic hunting and gathering community classified as PVTG who traditionally practice hunting using nets (particularly for monkeys and small game) and rope-making from sabai grass (Eulaliopsis binata). They are found primarily in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and border areas of Madhya Pradesh. The Birhor are known for their intricate knowledge of forests and wildlife. Their population is declining rapidly and they face challenges in transitioning to settled agriculture. Government programs for Birhor welfare focus on providing housing, livelihood support, and education while trying to preserve their cultural identity.