Describe any five special features of the life of the people of Bastar. ( 5 marks)Describe any five special features of the life of the people of Bastar. ( 5 marks)
- Bastar is located in the southernmost part of Chhatisgarh and borders Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra.River Indrawati flows from east to west.
- Different communities like Maria and Murria Gonds, Dhurwas, Bhatras and Halbas resided there.They speak different languages but share common customs and beliefs.
- People believe each village is given it's land by Earth and they look after the earth by making offerings at agricultural festivals.
- In addition to Earth, they showed respect to the spirits of rivers, forests and mountains.
- Local people look after all the natural resources within their boundary. If people want some wood from the other villages , they paid a small fee called dand or man in exchange.
- Some villages also protected their forests by engaging watchmen paid by all villagers collectively.
- Every year there was one big hunt where the headmen of villages in a Pargana(cluster of villages) met and discussed common issues and concerns