Bonda Tribe
Context:
Having successfully cleared this year’s National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), Mangala is poised to become the first member of the Bonda tribe—a particularly vulnerable and one of India’s oldest tribal groups—to pursue a medical degree.
About Bonda Tribe
The Bonda tribe, also known as the Bondo or Bonda Poraja, is a Munda ethnic group primarily residing in the isolated hill regions of the Malkangiri district in southwestern Odisha, India. They are recognized as one of the 75 Primitive Tribal Groups in India and have a population of approximately 12,000 according to the 2011 census.
Social Structure:
The Bonda community is divided into two groups:
- Upper Bondas: Approximately 6,700 individuals who are the most isolated from mainstream society.
- Lower Bondas: Approximately 17,000 individuals who have slightly more interaction with the outside world.
The Bonda people traditionally practise a form of marriage and social customs that include:
- Marriage Practices: Bonda boys typically marry at ages 10 to 12, and dowries, referred to as Gining, are paid in the form of livestock.
- Divorce Customs: Divorce, termed Lung Sisi, can lead to severe financial penalties, particularly for women, and is overseen by village councils.
Language and Religion
- The Bonda speak Remo, an Austroasiatic language related to the Munda languages.
- Traditionally animists, many Bonda people have been influenced by Hinduism over time.
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Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs), now known as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), are a sub-classification of Scheduled Tribes in India that are considered more vulnerable and less developed compared to other tribal communities. These groups were identified by the Government of India in 1973 based on the recommendations of the Dhebar Commission. Characteristics of PVTGs:
Identification and Criteria:
Population and Distribution: According to the 2011 census, the total population of PVTGs in India was 3.8 million, accounting for about 2.5% of the total tribal population. The states with the highest concentration of PVTGs are Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Jharkhand. Government Initiatives for PVTGs:
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Lifestyle and Economy
The Bonda are primarily subsistence farmers, hunters, and gatherers. They face significant challenges, including:
- Poverty: Many Bonda families are in debt due to social customs and economic pressures. The community often relies on loans for basic needs, leading to cycles of debt bondage.
- Health and Education: Literacy rates among the Bonda are extremely low, around 6%, and they face health challenges due to limited access to healthcare and clean drinking water.
Cultural Practices
The Bonda people have retained many of their traditional customs, including:
- Sacrificial Rites: It is customary to sacrifice a cow during significant events, such as a death in the family, which is part of their spiritual beliefs.
- Clothing and Adornment: Bonda men traditionally wear a narrow strip of loincloth, but it is the women’s attire that stands out the most.
- A taboo, rooted in legends, prevents Bonda women from covering their upper bodies, which they compensate for by adorning themselves with heavy necklaces made of beads and brass.
- The only clothing they wear is a short strip of loincloth known as ‘Nadi.’
Challenges
- Despite efforts by the government, such as the establishment of the Bonda Development Agency in 1977, the tribe continues to face challenges related to cultural preservation, economic development, and integration into broader society.
- Just a couple of decades ago, the Bonda tribe lived in isolation with minimal interaction with the outside world.
- According to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute, Odisha, “The Bonda tribe’s distinctive appearance sets them apart from the rest of the world.