A dive into Madhya Pradesh’s diverse tribal culture

Madhya Pradesh, the heart of the country has a very diverse and unique character, right from the erotic sculptures of Khajuraho, the hills of Pachmarhi, the wildlife at Bandhavgarh, the music legacy of Gwalior, and brekafast spreads of poha and jalebi. But the state has more to offer than its heritage, for it is also known for its tribal culture.
With 46 recognized Scheduled Tribes, the state has the highest ranking of the population of indigenous peoples. The tribal communities occupy the slopes of the region's mountains and are bounded by the Narmada and Godavari rivers.
The area is heavily influenced by the indigenous traditions and customs especially by the Gond, the Bhil, and the Oraon tribe.
Gond is the largest tribal group in Asia, with a population of three million. There is no cultural uniformity among the Gond, and the people are scattered across the country in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Their traditional dance is called Madai, which is kind of a celebratory dance, practiced and performed on happy occasions. Another popular dance form, Dandari, is practiced to convey mythological events.

The Bhils are an ethnic group and the second largest tribal community in India, with a rich and unique culture that can be found in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Bhils are fine warriors with inherent, exceptional skills of archery, the sub-division of Bhil is also known for Pithora painting and the traditional dance, Ghoomar, which represents the symbol of womanhood.
The Oraons or Uraons also live in Madhya Pradesh state and like to call themselves as Kurukh People. The Sarhul Festival, celebrating spring, is one of the most important festivals of the Oraons.

The tribes add color and character to the state but what makes them different from other communities is unlike most, the tribes of MP are more connected and aware of the outside world.