0333-A1

Tribal Traditions Becoming Extinct in the Satpura Forests of Betul

Bhawana Singh^[1]

Abstract

Several traditions are specific to certain tribes and remain confined to their area of existence, (mainly in the forests). Those who live in the forest are unable to get the benefits of the modern world, resulting in a reduction in their population. Some of these tribes have become extinct and some are on the verge of extinction, as indicated by their falling numbers and migration towards urban areas or settlement areas in search of better living conditions and more prosperous livelihoods. Because of this, some traditional very useful activities are no longer being carried out and may soon be completely forgotten. These include several tribe-specific medications. For instance, extracts of herbs, leaves or bark of wild plants and trees were used for certain ailments. They were absolutely free from side effects, unlike present day medicines where almost everything has a significant side effect.

Because many of the tribes and their traditions are now dying out, we now find ourselves in a condition where, in spite of having a huge herbal heritage in our wild forests, we are unable to use it. A serious and concerted approach is needed to save these vanishing traditions, by close interaction with the tribes that are on the verge of extinction.

Introduction

All tribal people are specific to their tribes. They have their own traditions, beliefs, rituals that are limited to the individuals of that particular tribe. These activities represent their identity & they are rather identified by the kind of rituals they believe. Search of a better source of livelihood, attraction of the modern world, better employment opportunities, better healthcare, etc. have forced them to move out of the location of their origin and migrate towards settlement areas causing several associated complications and a shift in biodiversity.

Result

Certain rituals and traditions of some of the tribes of Gond people in the wild Satpura forests of Betul in Madhya Pradesh, India, which are on the verge of extinction, were noticed. It was found that several useful beliefs and rituals are no more being followed, or there is no one to follow them. Use of several herbs in the form of medicines for remedies like ear pain, arthritis, abscesses, sprain, injury, even cancers, etc. had forced them to keep track of those herbal source. Now the extinction of these tribes has created a situation where, in spite of having the herb, plant or tree, it’s difficult to identify and use them for what was once the only remedial measure. This has forced us to loose that herbal heritage which was the pride of the tribes.

Discussion

The Gond people in Betul consisted of these distinct tribes: Arakh, Agaria, Asur, Badi-maria, Bhatola, Bhimma, Bhuta, Koilabhuta, Bhar, Bisonhorn-maria, Chota-maria, Dandami-maria, Dhuru, Dhoba, Dhulia, Doral-gaiki, Gatta, Gaita, Gond-gowari, Hill-maria, Kandra, Kalinga, Khatola, Koitar, Koya, Khirwar, Kucha-maria, Kuchaki-maria, Madia-maria, Mana, Mannewer, Moghya, Mudia, Nagarchi, Nagwanshi, Ojha, Raj, Sonjhari, Jhareka, Thatia, Wade-maria. Among them hardly few are presently available nowadays. They all lived in close vicinity of forests. Their house consisted of a mandha (a shed erected from thatch of leaves). They used bamboo-mat for storing and other purposes. Their ornaments were tattoo, and a tatoo mark was generally worn at the age of 10-12 years. An expert woman did these tatoo marks with three needles fixed together. The muscular part of the legs, right from heel to the thigh, besides forehead, cheeks, chin and some parts of hands wore tattoo marks.

During childbirth, the elderly women of the tribe conduct delivery; the umbilical cord is cut by sickle. In case of prolonged labour, the water from a rapidly flowing stream is given to the woman, or a talisman prepared out of the wood struck by the lightening is tied over the neck of the woman for easy labour and quick delivery. A pit is dug close to the bed of the mother to bury the umbilical cord. The woman is served liquid diet.

There are several herbal medications, which we could retain prior to their extinction. Such as,

1. Ajwain to be boiled in water, and the water served to a woman after childbirth helps in cleaning the uterine contents and lochial discharge.

2. Pipli when boiled in milk and given to women helps in increasing her milk production so as to feed the newborn baby.

3. Jaifal (Nutmeg) when powdered and given in milk to children’s helps in recovering from cold, pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, etc.

4. A woman who has delivered a baby is made to sit in a utensil filled with liquor or mustard oil, gradually these gets absorbed and this helps in reducing the uterine infections and bringing back the musculature to normal condition.

5. Methi (Fenugreek) seed is swallowed as such as a remedy to colic and gas formation in the gastro-intestinal tract.

6. A combination of methi, haldi(turmeric) and amla in the ratio of 10:2:2 when powdered an given to obese persons helps in reducing fatty depositions all over the body.

7. Lahsun(Garlic) and lawng(Clove) when boiled in mustard oil and applied as a skin massage helps in generating certain degree of warmth and thereby assists in relieving from cold. It also helps in toning up the skin and muscles especially of children’s.

8. Heeng (Asafoetida) is boiled in water and applied at the naval of newborn babies and children’s to relieve from gaseous troubles or gas formation in their stomach.

9. Lauki (Bottle gourd) crude extract are used for heart ailments, where drinking the crude extract on a regular basis till complete recovery successfully cures persons with severe heart complications.

10. Cow’s urine (especially early morning) when filtered and consumed orally helps in relieving from ailments like constipation, diabetes, etc.

These are some of such remedies performed by those tribes, and could be propagated even till today as home remedies. However, there are several such cost effective and easy ways for treatment of ailments, which are almost lost, or getting lost. And therefore an extensive approach is required to interact with these tribes and to preserve this heritage from extinction.

Conclusion

Every tradition and culture has its own significance. Its best suited for their area of their existence and survival. All tribes have their own way of doing almost everything, right from childbirth, rearing, marriage, death, etc. They were aware of a variety of herbal medication as remedies for certain ailments, which are specific to every particular tribe. They very rarely share such information, which could possibly be recorded for further use. Now that several of the Gond tribes are extinct, it is almost difficult to trace their resources. Therefore, now in spite of having probably all the kind of medications of herbal origin in our wild forests, we are unable to use them.

Bibliography

*Shrivastav P. N., 1971.Madhya Pradesh District Gazetteers-Betul: 88-93.