Baiga Tribe

Baiga Tribe Latest News

13 children belonging to the Baiga tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, were recently rescued from bonded labour in Chhattisgarh’s Kabirdham district.

About Baiga Tribe

• They are one of India’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• They are found in central India, primarily in the state of Madhya Pradesh, and in smaller numbers in the surrounding states of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. 
• Language: The Baiga tribe primarily speaks Baigani, a dialect of Chhattisgarhi heavily influenced by Gondi and Hindi. 
• Livelihood: Traditionally semi-nomadic, they practised slash-and-burn cultivation, locally called “Bewar”, and now depend mainly on minor forest produce.
• Live-in relationships are common among the Baiga. If marriage does take place, the man compensates the woman’s family for the loss of a working member. 
• Tattooing is integral to their culture, with specific tattoos designated for different body parts and age groups. 
• Tattoos are made using kajal derived from Ramtilla seeds (Niger seeds).
• Mahua Tree: These are fermented and distilled to prepare an intoxicant, forming an essential part of their diet and culture.
• The Baiga tribe is the first community in India to be granted habitat rights, reflecting their deep connection with forests.

Source: IND

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