Tree symbolizes a sacred space in the tribal culture. Devkot is a sanctified place in the forest, surrounded by trees. It is a place of worship where votive terracotta figures are offered for the blessing of the local Gods. These offerings also mark the important occasions of the tribal culture.
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Bastar Iron Craft (also known as "Wrought iron craft of Bastar") is a traditional Indian iron craft that is manufactured in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh state, India. The iron-crafting work has been protected under the geographical indication (GI) of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement. It is listed at item 82 as "Bastar Iron Craft" of the GI Act 1999 of the Government registration confirmed by the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks.
One of the most special and oldest craft styles in the Bastar region is Lohshilp or wrought iron craft. Despite its simplistic nature, it has an aesthetic attraction. The art originated from the culture of ironmongers who used to make farming and hunting tools for tribes. The craft has grown beautifully into an art form over the years and so has its worldwide demand.
The iron craft skill is passed from generation to generation in the Bastar region. Some tribal communities are experts in iron craftwork and many of them became iron-smiths. Among many communities, Gondi and Maria are notable for the traditional iron-crafting.
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Non-ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting method is Dhokra (also spelt Dokra). For over 4,000 years, this form of metal casting has been used in India and is still used. A dancing girl from Mohenjo-Daro is one of the earliest known lost wax artefacts. Due to primitive simplicity, enchanting folk motifs and forceful form, the product of dhokra artisans are in great demand in domestic and foreign markets. Dhokra horses, elephants, peacocks, owls, religious images, lamp caskets, measuring cups, etc.
The first task in the hollow casting process of lost wax consists of producing a clay core that is approximately the shape of the final cast image. Then, a layer of wax consisting of pure beeswax, Damara Orientalis tree resin, and nut oil covers the clay heart. In all of its finer design details and decorations, the wax is then moulded and carved. It is then coated with clay layers, which on the inside take the negative form of the wax, thereby becoming a mould for the metal that will be poured inside it. For wax, which melts away when the clay is baked, drain ducts are left. The molten metal then replaces the wax, often using brass scrap as the basic raw material. Between the heart and the inner surface of the mould, the liquid metal poured in hardens. The mould is packed with metal and takes the same form as the wax. It is then chipped off the outer layer of clay and the metal icon is polished and finished as desired.
Meet Our Artisans
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Shobha Baghel, who makes handicrafts using fibre extracted from the agave plant locally called kekati, is now all set to sell her products online via the Loka Bazar website, writes
DEEPANWITA GITA NIYOGI
Shobha Baghel's nimble fingers weave magic. An artisan based in Parchanpal village of Bastar district in Chhattisgarh, Baghel is adept at making attractive handmade products like totes, hanging dolls, sling bags and dining mats from sisal, a fibre extracted from the drought-tolerant fleshy agave plant, often used as a live fencing in plantations.
Baghel, who heads the Jai Maa Sar-aswati self-help group formed in 2017, also acts as a master trainer and teach- es those willing to learn the craft. "There are 12 members in my group, but all of them do not work. I make a range of products from sisal, which resembles jute, and is obtained from agave plants. My group buys the material also widely used to make ropes from a few men who carry out the extraction process in the district. The forest department is helping grow agave in Bastar, also known as kekati locally. The fibre is extracted after crushing the leaves." she said.
Bastar divisional forest officer Stylo Mandavi informed that the forest department generally promotes agave. A certain amount of financial support has been extended to a men's self-help group for the extraction purpose as well as for the making of ropes from the strong and durable fibre. The department also uses the rope made by them.After the fibre extraction is carried out with the help of a machine which is quite a simple process, the threads are dried. For the extraction, the leaves are flattened and then the machine is used to remove the fleshy part. Lastly, the leaves are dipped in water to remove any attached particles.
Initially, Baghel had received training from the Chhattisgarh Khadi Gram Udyog Board for six months during which she also received payment of 2500 on a daily basis. This was in 2004. Before this she had no idea of sisal but enjoyed the session thoroughly. The Bastar artisan informed that while totes take up to two days to make, small items like wall decor takes a full day to complete. "I usually finish my house-hold chores first and then take up the craft work. I am currently imparting training to others as well who come to my house to learn. At least, three people are with me in this initiative. The price of my products ranges from 300 500. Of late, the extracted fibre costs 160 per kg. Earlier, it used to cost only 22-25 per kg."
Baghel used to sell her products locally, especially at the scenic Chitrakote waterfalls on the Indravati river near district headquarters Jagdalpur. She has also taken part in exhibitions and fairs like the Suraj Kund Mela in Faridabad, Haryana in 2015. Sunita Nag, who works with Baghel, took six months to learn how to make sisal items. Now, she comes regularly and sometimes takes her excess work load home. As it is a painstaking work, Nag works for four hours every day.
Finding the right platform
The recent launch of the Loka Bazar initiative, an exclusive platform for Bastar's artisans, is all set to give a fresh lease of life to people like Baghel who need a platform to showcase their products to sell across India and even internationally.
Gaurav Kushwaha, one of the brains behind Loka Bazar, said artisans in Chhattisgarh will get good exposure through e-commerce across India.
Till now, our artisans used to sell their der this and short videos are also being products in the state itself as they are all based here. So, this kind of initiative gives them the right platform and helps in creating brands under which artisans' names are also showcased," he added.
Shobha Baghel's brand is called Sheeshal on the website. Kushwaha explained that Loka bazaar will connect artisans to potential customers directly and help deliver products after direct procuring and packaging. At present, there are some 15 artisans un- Till now, our artisans used to sell their der this and short videos are also being products in the state itself as they are made on individual artisans. Other than
Jai Maa Saraswati, a self-help group formed in 2017, helps women in making attractive handmade products like totes, hanging dolls, sling bags and dining mats from sisal, a fibre extracted from the drought-tolerant fleshy agave plant, often used as a live fencing in plantations
Sheeshal, Loka Bazar also stocks other famous Bastar art forms like tuma (Tumba lamps made from dried gourd shells). As artisans need steady income, the initiative is aimed at giving them mar ket throughout the year.
The state government is also sup porting the initiative as part of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. Kushwaha said that the idea of creating individual brands for each artisan has been appreciated by the district col lector as well. "We are promoting the artisans directly and collaborating with the government for this. Products are being sold under the name of each individual artisan
Kushwaha's friend and business partner Ayush Shrivastava said all of us behind Loka Bazar want ed customers to know about the artisans as many of them have won laurels at the state as well as the national level. "We have also introduced the concept of a gift card from artisans. Lokabazar means local kala or art and we want to highlight Bastar to the world." Shrivastava added.
Government support
District programme manager Raj Kumar Dewangan pointed out that Baghel's training was part of the village enterprise programme under which women's SHGS can also take loans for different initiatives. "We have also created an artisan producer organisation called the Bastar Kalagudi Hastashilp Producer Company Limited which is owned by the various artisans of Bastar and monitored by the district administration. The company was registered in January this year." As mostly the artisans are dispersed across the district, they have been brought under one umbrella. Right now, the focus is only on Bastar but it will spread to other areas of the state gradually.
]]>The Gonds, renowned for their peculiar customs and practises, are one of the most prominent and significant tribes in India. The word “Gond” is derived from the word “Konda” in Telugu, which means hill. In Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, eastern Maharashtra, northern Andhra Pradesh and western Orissa, the Gond Tribes are mainly located. In Chhattisgarh, in population terms, the Gonds are the largest tribal group. In Chhattisgarh, more than 20% of the Gonds only live in the Bastar area. The Gonds are mainly Hindus and tend to live in small villages in groups. Gondi is the main language of the Gonds, but about half of the Gond people, including Hindi, also speak Indo-Aryan dialects.The Gonds are historically farmers and even today some practise shifting cultivation. The collection of forest produce, fishing, hunting, forging of metal products in the cottage industry and other activities in the primary sector are other main activities. They also have a particular ability, the secret of medicinal plants, passed down from generation to generation. Unlike the normal practise of egalitarianism among tribals, the Gond culture is highly stratified.One of the distinctive features of the marriages of Gond is that the groom must pay the girl’s father a bridal price. In this way, the structure gives women in society recognition and control.’Ghotul’ is another common activity among the Gonds of Bastar that allows unmarried young boys and girls to intermingle and choose their partners in life.
Abhuj Maria
The Abhuj Maria tribes are one of the major sub-castes of the Gonds, found mainly in the Bastar area of Chhattisgarh. These tribes can be found primarily in the deep forests of the Bastar district of the Narayanpur Tehsil. Abhuj Marias speaks Abujmaria, a Dravidian language. The region of Abhuj Maria is recognised as the 1,500 SQ miles of lush green and dense forest area that these special tribes inhabit. They decide to live in solitude to avoid intermingling with strangers. It is claimed that with their arrows they shoot down strangers and so are strongly feared by outsiders. Their way of life, customs, practises and universal principles have been preserved since they exist in isolation. It is very prevalent among men and women to drink liquor. Equality and fraternity are highly appreciated principles. Both men and women only use a piece of fabric and do not completely cover their bodies. The women of the Abhuj Marias love to wear several iron rings around their necks, sometimes as many as 20.
Bison Horn Maria
They mainly reside in Chhattisgarh’s Jagdalpur Tehsil. These tribes, like the Abhuj Marias, also like living in isolation in deep forests and avoiding contact with the outside world. They are almost similar to Abhuj Marias in their culture and traditions and daily life. They also practise shifting cultivation and collect survival forest produce. They do not plough the earth like Abhuj Marias, as it would mean inflicting pain on her body.
Their name comes from the Bison Horn, and they wear it during their dance rituals.
Halbaa
The Halbaas are one of the largest tribes found in central India. They are mainly found in the districts of Bastar, Raipur and Durg in Chhattisgarh. Perhaps the name ‘Halbaa’ was derived from the Hindi word ‘Hal,’ the plough, which goes on to prove that they are primarily farmers.
Dhurvaa
The Dhurvaas are among the most important tribal groups in the Bastar district. Also known as Parjaas (the public), they rank second in the Bastar tribal hierarchy, after the Bhatras. In order to prove their high status among the tribals of the region, they prefer to be called Dhurvaas, which connotes the status of some type of Mukhia (Village Chief). They are very caste-conscious and do not mix with lower status tribes. The practise of polygamy is very common. Normally, men are engaged in hunting, farming and family protection.
Muria
The Murias are living in the plains. Their primary activities are similar to those of the other Gond sub-castes, and they survive on agriculture and the collection of small forest products. As far as religious and social beliefs are concerned, the Murias have several totems and several gods of villages and tribal subgroups. They are highly superstitious, and they strongly believe in sorcery. There is no functional division of the caste in society, and they have their own socio-legal tribal administration hierarchy.
Bhatra
The Bhatras are famous for their unique costumes and traditions. Women enjoy high status and Bhatra girls have full freedom to choose their husbands or to live with a partner of their choice. Like other tribes, they consume liquor, fruit and animal food.
Tribal culture is also distinguished by the Ghotul, an unusual but very democratic approach to learning. This system, which was designed and created by Lingo Pen, the cult hero of the Gond tribe, gives young people a unique opportunity to be independent and learn through interaction with their peers.The function of the Ghotul is to provide a space for young people to understand the complexities of social, cultural and sexual customs in a simple way and to become responsible custodians of tradition and belief.
A touch of Dhokra
Dhokra, which involves precision, practise and skill, is one of the region’s rich craft activities. The preparation involves the application of cow dung, paddy husk and beeswax soil. Dhokra works make beautiful ships, jewelries and images of local deities using the more and more rarely lost wax technique.
Dhokra, which involves precision, practise and skill, is one of the region’s rich craft activities. The preparation involves the application of cow dung, paddy husk and beeswax soil. Dhokra works make beautiful ships, jewelries and images of local deities using the more and more rarely lost wax technique. Kondagaon, Raigarh and Sarguja are among the areas where this craft is widely practised. Handwerkers in this particular craft from Ghadwa are known to be experts. Time and tide, however, require progress and development. Bastar’s tribal societies are at the crossroads, asking above all one question: to change or to change?
Bastar is a district of Chhattisgarh State. The headquarters of Bastar district and Bastar division is Jagdalpur. It was known as Dakshin Kaushal. It is known for the beautiful forests and tribal culture,because of this it is called as the cultural capital of the state. Spread over 6596.90 sq km, this district was once bigger than a state like Kerala and countries like Belgium, Israel. For the district to be systematically managed, two separate districts, Kanker and Dantewada, were constructed in 1999. It is surrounded by Kondagaon, Dantewada, Sukma and Bijapur . The district headquarters Jagdalpur is located at a distance of 305 kilometers from the capital city Raipur.
The population of Bastar district was 834375 in census 2011. There were 413706 men and 420669 women. There are 70 percent tribal communities in the population of Bastar, such as Gond, Maria, Muriya, Bhatra, Halba, Dhruva community. Bastar district has been divided into seven development blocks/tehsils Jagdalpur, Bastar, Bakawand, Lohandiuuda, Tokapal ,Darbha and Bastar. It is rich in tribal communities, natural beauty and natural resources .
Starting from Orissa, the Indravati river, which is about 240 km long flows throgh Dantewada and Bijapur before it merges in Godavari near Bhadrakali , is a symbol of faith and devotion for the people of Bastar. Jagdalpur is a major cultural and handicraft center. Historical and entertainment related items of Bastar’s tribal people have been displayed in the Anthropological Museum at Dharampura. Dancing Cactus Art Center, an outstanding gift of the renowned art world of Bastar. The people of Bastar district are rich in rare artwork, liberal culture and innate nature.
Bastar district is full of dense forests, high hills, waterfalls, caves and wild beasts. Bastar Mahal, Bastar Dussehra, Dalpat Sagar, Chitrakot waterfall, Tirathgarh waterfalls, Kutumasar and Kailash caves are the main centers of tourism.
Historically, the region is Dandakaranya in the epic Ramayana and is a part of the Kosala kingdom in Mahabharata.
Bastar’s princely state was established around 1324 AD, when Anaam Dev, brother of the last Kakatiya king, Pratap Rudra Dev (1290-1325) left Warangal and established his royal empire in Bastar. After Maharaja Ananam Dev, Maharaja Hamir Dev, Baital Dev, Maharaja Purushottam Dev, Maharaj Pratap Dev, Dikpal Dev, Rajpal Dev ruled the state. The initial capital of Bastar rule was settled in the city of Bastar and then transferred to Jagdalpur . The last rule in Bastar was done by Maharaja Praveer Chandra Bhanj Dev (1936-1948). Maharaja Praveer Chandra Bhang was very popular among all the communities of Bastar, mainly among tribals. Danteshwari, which is still the goddess of the Bastar region, has been named after the famous Danteshwari temple in Dantewada.
During the political integration of India in 1948, the Bastar princely was merged with India.
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