Mythologies of the Dhodia Tribes
Dhodia are an Adivasi people who have been placed in the Indian communities recognition, under Schedule Tribes.[citation needed] The majority of the Dhodia tribes are located in the southern part of Gujarat (Navsari, Surat and Valsad districts), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan. In Maharashtra, they are found mainly in the district of Thane. They speak Dhodia language, which has some unique words, as well as some words influenced by Gujarati and Marathi. Most of the dhodia believe in traditional religious practices . majority of Dhodia follows Hinduism. Some however adapted Christianity. Some are following their AdiVasi traditions, worshiping nature. Dhodia also has many subcaste/Kul within them. Dhodia Females traditionally wear 'Kachhedo' or it called 'Dhadku' type of saree which mostly gives resembles of Marathi saree. They celebrate festivals that other Hindus do. Diwali, Holi are some examples. The majority of Dhodia believe in and are devoted to "Kanasari" or "Kanseri" (Goddess of food). They celebrate the "Kanseri" festival annually at harvest. The "Kanseri" Goddess is otherwise known as Goddess "Annapurna" by many Hindus. The Dhodia also celebrate "Divaso". Vagh baras is also celebrated in a unique fashion in some Dhodia villages where men colour themselves in stripes representing the Vagh( tiger) and others as plain white or other colours denoting cattle. The tiger chases the cattle. Finally at the end of the sport the village inhabitants eat together and celebrate. During five days of Diwali they celebrate their folk dance called Gheria. Also they make Bhakhras for pooja rituals to their Kuldev on this day.
The Dhodia are located in the extreme southeastern districts of Gujarat, a state in northwestern India. Their villages lie in the hilly regions south of the Tapi River. The Dhodia are the highest ranking tribe and the third largest tribal group in Gujarat. They speak Dhodia, a Bhil language. Long ago, prosperity within Gujarat State attracted people from all the surrounding states. Gujarat became a target of the Maratha tribes, who made annual raids to the region for several years. Eventually, the Muslims fortified the area east of Surat in order to reap its economic benefits. War continued between the Monghals, the Maratha, and the Portuguese over the Gujarat territory. The Dhodia consider themselves to be of a higher class than the neighboring Bhil groups. They will not marry other Bhil or even eat with them. Some exceptions are allowed, however, with the Chodhari Bhil. They have more than one wife when they can afford it. The wives are bought while they are still young girls. In times past, it was customary to take the bride to the groom's house for the wedding. Today, however, the young couple generally travel to the bride's house to be married. A widow usually remains a part of her husband's family by marrying her deceased husband's brother. The Dhodia participate in festivals alongside the Hindus who live nearby. They are not really community-minded, but only come together for such things as annual communal fishing and religious feasts. Village leaders only perform certain social duties. The Dhodia are related to the many Bhil tribes of India. The name "Bhil" comes from the word billee, which literally means "bow." The bow is the characteristic weapon of most Bhil tribes. Ironically, the Dhodia, unlike their Bhil relatives, do not use bows and arrows.
Dhodia tribe of Dadra and Nagar Haveli constitute about 16.90% of the aggregate population of this Union Territory of India which is existent between Maharashtra and Gujarat. This Union territory of India was under the Portuguese colonial rule. Between 1954 and 1961, it became self governing system of administration. Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a minute point on the map of India, away from the hustle and bustle of modernity, snug amid its tribal ethos, gives it the charm of obscurity. Silvassa, a small, sleepy and cheerfully green capital city is a perfect place of tribal mystery. They have been following their age-old traditions and customs since several years and are quite fond of performing numerous kinds of dances, songs and rituals. Various folklores and mythological tales are associated with the Dhodias and Dhodia language is employed by this tribe, which is also the language used by the Bhils. However, the Bhils are considered to be of an inferior rank by the Dhodias and they choose to alienate themselves from the Bhils. Unlike Bhils, they do not utilize bows and arrows. These regional tribes of Dadra and Nagar Haveli are generally polygamous and practise the system of 'buying' their own wives. This is usually done, even before waiting for them to be of a marriageable age, or when they can attain maturity. When the husband of a woman dies, she is married to the brother of the deceased husband and continues residing in the same household. Dhodias are followers of Hinduism and observe 'Raksha Bandhan' and other Hindu festivals. Fishing and communal feasts are often conducted by these tribes. However, of late Dhodias of this region have adapted to a modern lifestyle, settling in professions like farming. Urbanisation has motivated Dhodias to make a gradual shift from their traditional occupations. Agriculture is their main occupation and activities of hunting and fishing are practised as avocation. They are clad in bright garments and jewels made of silver, coloured stones and also beads. Dhodias stay inside thatched mud huts made of bamboo and roofed tiles. They have great faith in deities which are made of stone and coloured wood and are known to be superstitious and are addicted to country liquors. Dhodias belong to the Scheduled Tribes of India.
The Dhodia are located in the extreme southeastern districts of Gujarat, a state in northwestern India, though a smaller number of them live further west over the Pakistani border. The Dhodia are the highest-ranking tribe and the third largest tribal group in Gujarat. They speak Dhodia, a Bhil language. The Dhodia are related to the many Bhil tribes. The name "Bhil" comes from the word billee, which literally means "bow." The bow is the characteristic weapon of most Bhil tribes. Ironically, the Dhodia, unlike their Bhil relatives, do not use bows and arrows. The Dhodia consider themselves to be of a higher class than the neighboring Bhil groups. They will not marry other Bhil or even eat with them. Some exceptions are allowed, however, with the Chodhari Bhil. Long ago, prosperity within Gujarat State attracted people from all the surrounding states. Gujarat became a target of the Maratha tribes, who made annual raids to the region for several years. Eventually, the Muslims fortified the area east of Surat in order to reap its economic benefits. War continued between the Moghals, the Maratha, and the Portuguese over the Gujarat territory. By 1817, the British had risen to power. In the years that followed, they attempted to mend what the Maratha had left by dispersing farmland among the settlers. In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi demanded the British to withdraw from India. The Dhodia, a non-aggressive people, retreated deeper into the hills during the conflict. They have more than one wife when they can afford it. The wives are "bought" while they are still girls. In times past, it was customary to take the bride to the groom's house for the wedding. Today, however, the young couple generally travel to the bride's house to be married. A widow usually remains a part of her husband's family by marrying her deceased husband's brother. The Dhodia participate in festivals alongside the Hindus who live nearby. They are not really community-minded, but only come together for such things as annual communal fishing and religious feasts. Village leaders only perform certain social duties. Most Dhodia have given up the nomadic lifestyles of their ancestors and have settled into farming. Forest labor, trade labor (in the cities), hunting, and fishing are secondary to agriculture. Some live in the Surat district, an area well known for its rich soils and fine cotton crop. Others live in areas where, because of the heavy rainfall, they are able to cultivate rice. Still others live in the less fertile, highland areas. The Dhodia go to the markets to trade their crops for clothing. The women wear blouses under dark green or red cotton saris (long pieces of cloth that are wrapped around the waist and over one shoulder). They also wear necklaces made of lead beads and rupee coins, and silver anklets. Most of the men wear either a "Gandhi" cap or a turban wrapped out of a piece of cloth. Shorts have also become popular among the men. Dhodia houses are usually scattered near the streams so that they might easily fish and draw water for themselves and their cattle. The homes are typically built by hired labor. They are small bamboo huts made with tiled roofs. The poorer Dhodia live in mud huts that they build themselves. The doors always face north in order to prevent interaction with evil spirits.
The Dhodia are located in the extreme southeastern districts of Gujarat, a state in northwestern India. Their villages lie in the hilly regions south of the Tapi River. The Dhodia are the highest ranking tribe and the third largest tribal group in Gujarat. They speak Dhodia, a Bhil language. Long ago, prosperity within Gujarat State attracted people from all the surrounding states. Gujarat became a target of the Maratha tribes, who made annual raids to the region for several years. Eventually, the Muslims fortified the area east of Surat in order to reap its economic benefits. War continued between the Monghals, the Maratha, and the Portuguese over the Gujarat territory. Ninety-five percent of the Dhodia Bhil practice ethnic religions. They are very superstitious and have deep-rooted beliefs in demons and witches. They worship groups of deities made of shapeless pieces of stone or wood. The Dhodia have no temples or places to hold their religious ceremonies. They have only a few stones that have been painted and placed under trees. They believe that the supernatural beings dwell there. By 1817, the British had risen to power. In the years that followed, they attempted to mend what the Maratha had left by dispersing farmland among the settlers. In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi demanded the British to withdraw from India. The Dhodia, a non-aggressive people, retreated deeper into the hills during the conflict. Ninety-five percent of the Dhodia Bhil practice ethnic religions. They are very superstitious and have deep-rooted beliefs in demons and witches. They worship groups of deities made of shapeless pieces of stone or wood. The Dhodia have no temples or places to hold their religious ceremonies. They have only a few stones that have been painted and placed under trees. They believe that the supernatural beings dwell there.
Dhodias are considered as the third largest tribal group in Gujarat. They mainly inhabit in the extreme south-eastern districts of the state. Their villages lie in the hilly regions south of the Tapi River. Dhodia, a Bhil language, is the dialect spoken by this tribe. Their main source of livelihood is agriculture. Some of them prefer hunting and fishing. Dhodias usually live in small bamboo huts made with tiled roofs. The doors of their house always face north; they believe that this will prevent interaction with evil spirits. Dhodias are related to the Bhil tribes of India. Unlike other Bhils, Dhodias do not use bows and arrows. They also participate in festivals with the Hindus who live nearby.
There are many beliefs about the origin of the term "dhodia".One is that they came from a place called Dhulia. The other belief is that the Rajputs from around the Dholka taluka, married local women in the tribal villages and later their descendents established themselves as Dhodia. However, these all just folklore that are yet to be supported by scientific or historic data. The majority of the Dhodia tribes are located in the southern part of Gujarat, Surat and Valsad districts, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan of India. The Dhodia tribes speak the Dhodia language. It is a language which is a mixture of unique words, as well as some words influenced by gujarati as well as Marathi. The majority of Dhodia believe in and are devoted to "Kanasari" or "Kanseri"(Goddess of food). They celebrate the "Kanseri" annually at harvest. The "Kaneseri" Goddess means the Goddess "Annapurna". The Dhodia also celebrate "Divaso". The Festivals "Holi" and "Diwali" are also celebrated with full of joy.Vagh baras is also celebrated in a unique fashion in some Dhodia villages where, men colour themselves in stripes representing the Vagh and others as plain white or other colours denoting cattle. The tiger chases the cattle. Finally at the end of the sport the village inhabitants eat food together at a common place and celebrate. Navratri is also celebrated by the Dhodia. They dance to the tune of tur for the garba.Education:Dhodias are most beneficiary of tribal reservation in Gujarat.They are mostly teachers then comes to doctors/engineers. Dhodia are predominantly farmers.They are slowly starting to take part in business also.
Comments
Post a Comment