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Abhuj Maria Tribals (Bastar)

The Abhuj Maria tribals are one of the main Gonds tribes.They live in interior forest of Narayanpur Tehsil of Bastar districts.The area in which they inhabited is known as Abhuj Maria region which has been spread over 1500 sq miles which is a dense forest area.

The Abhuj Marias are hill Marias who are virtually living in isolation .They used to dreaded by the out siders since the Abhuj Marias could shoot down the strangers with their arrows.

Since they are living in isolation, keeping themselves away from the touch of the outerworld and leading a savage life , their traditional culture ,moral living values and social security has not yet been disturbed.They are one of the rare tribal groups of India living in this traditional way.

In the matter of dress their needs are very small and money they do not covet at all. Both men and women wear only a piece of cloth round the waist , and for ornament several iron rings , some times as many as 20 round their necks.

Small brass rings are sometimes strung on the large iron rings.Ear rings are commonly worn , when women being found with 14 holes bored in her ear and two rings in each of some the holes.

These people are not cleanly in their habits , and even when a Maria does bathe he does not wash his solitary garments but leaves it on the bank.When drinking from a stream they do not take up water in their hands but put their mouth down to it like cattle.