page_title: Bastar district
section_title: Culture
hierarchical_section_title: Bastar district / Culture
caption_attribution_description: English: This picture is from Dhurras hamlet in Chhindawara village of Darbha block. Darbha falls in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. In the picture is an old man from Dhurwa tribe wearing tradition headgear and playing a traditional music instrument of his tribe.
context_page_description: Bastar is a district in the state of Chhattisgarh in Central India. Jagdalpur is the district headquarters. Bastar is bounded on the northwest by Narayanpur District, on the north by Kondagaon District, on the east by Nabarangpur and Koraput Districts of Odisha State, on the south and southwest by Dantewada District, and on the west by the Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra State. The district possesses a unique blend of tribal and Odia culture.
  Bastar and Dantewada districts were formerly part of the princely state of Bastar. Bastar was founded in the early 14th century, by Annama Deva, the brother of Kakatiya King Pratapa Rudra Deva of Warangal in Telangana. After India achieved independence in 1947, the princely states of Bastar and Kanker acceded to the Government of India, and were merged to form Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh. The district, which had an area of 39,114 km², was one of the largest in India when formed.
  In 1999, the district was divided into the present-day districts of Bastar, Dantewada, and Kanker. In 2000, Bastar was one of the 16 Madhya Pradesh districts that formed a part of the new state of Chhattisgarh.
context_section_description: Almost 70% of the total population of Bastar comprises tribals, who are 26.76% of the total tribal population of Chhattisgarh. The major tribes of the Bastar region are the Gond, Abhuj Maria, Bhatra. Bhatra are divided into subcastes San Bhatra, Pit Bhatra, Amnit Bhatra Amnit Hold Highest Status, Halba, Dhurvaa, Muria, and Bison Horn Maria. The Maria are known for their unique Ghotul system. Gonds are also the largest tribal group of central India in terms of population.
  The tribes of Bastar region are known for their unique and distinctive tribal culture and heritage. Each tribal group in Bastar has their own distinct culture and enjoys their own unique traditional living styles. Each tribe has developed its own dialects and differs from other tribes in their costumes, eating habits, customs, and traditions. They may even worship different gods and goddesses.
  A large number of Bastar tribals still live in deep forests and avoid mingling with outsiders in order to protect their own unique culture. The tribes of Bastar are also known for their colorful festivals and arts and crafts. The main festival of the area is the Bastar Dusshera. The tribals of Bastar were among the earliest to work with metal and have expertise in making figurines of tribal gods, votive animals, oil lamps, and animal carts.
caption: Duruwa man playing a flute
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