Gondi people

The Gondi (Gōndi) or Gond or Koitur[4] are a Dravidian ethno-linguistic group. They are one of the largest Adivasi groups in India.[5][6] They are spread over the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha. They are listed as a Scheduled Tribe for the purpose of India's system of positive discrimination.

Quotes

• The Gonds have played a respectable role in the history of medieval India... they have witnessed great political vicissitudes of fortune, and have survived. They still enjoy a high degree of culture. Their religion is Hindu. Some even retain the sacred thread. Some of thew Gods like Thakur Deo, Dulha Deo and Burha Deo command respect among local Hindus, The most interesting thing shout they marriage customs is that they are similar to those prevalent among Koch and Bodo tribes of the Northeast.
  • Lal, K. S. (1995). Growth of scheduled tribes and castes in medieval India. 10ff

• Gond is numerically the largest Scheduled Tribe of India covering a vast geography across several states in central India. They were once politically powerful and in the medieval period ruled over as many as four separate kingdoms. According to their legends, their ancestors were adopted and nurtured by Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. They worship Hindu deities and celebrate all major Hindu festivals like Holi, Diwali, Dussehra, Rakhi and Sankranti.
  • Malhotra, R. & Viswanathan V. (2022). Snakes in the Ganga : Breaking India 2.0.