Gonds are one of the numerically dominant tribal group in India. They are found in larger areas of Central India known after them as Gondwana. Important sub divisions among Gonds are Muria Gond, Maria Gond (found in Madhya Pradesh), Raj Gonds and Durve Gonds (found in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and sparsely in Orissa). All these sub divisions call themselves as Koitur in their dialect. In Andhra Pradesh, Naikpod is mentioned along with Raj Gonds in the approved list of Scheduled Tribes. But in tribal areas of Adilabad district, Naikpod is a separate tribe. Population of Gonds including Naikpods in Andhra Pradesh as per 1991 census is 2,12,058. The total literacy rate among Gonds is 14.15 as per 1991 census.

Gond kingdoms were collapsed due to invasion of Mughal and Maratha armies but some of the Gond chiefs retained their status of feudal chief till the attainment of independence of the country from British. In Andhra Pradesh, the ruined forts of Gond chiefs are found at Utnoor in Adilabad District. They speak Gondi dialect.

The patrilineal Gond society is divided into the following four exogamous phratries (Saga) whose origin is attributed to their legendary hero "Pahandi Kupar Lingal".


» Nalwen Saga (Four divine brother group)

» Seewen Saga (Five divine brother group)

» Sarwen Saga (Six divine brother group)

» Edwen Saga (Seven divine brother group)

Each phratry is associated with totemic animals/ objects and is divided into several exogamous clans (Padi) and these clan names are prefixed to individual names. Clan is again sub divided into Khandans, which consist of different lineages (Kita). The lineages are identified with original place of habitation and prominent ruler or chief of the people. Main functions of these clans and their sub divisions are regulation of matrimonial relations, maintenance of supreme deity (persapen) and other household deities.

Monogamy is the general rule among Gonds but some rich people may marry more than one woman. Pre-marital and extra - marital relations are prohibited. Marriage within the phratry is a taboo. Cross-cousin marriages are encouraged but marriage with one's own sister's daughter is prohibited. The socially accepted ways of acquiring mates among Gonds are (1) marriage by negotiations, (2) Marriage by Service, (3) Marriage by capture, (4) Marriage by intrusion, (5) Marriage by mutual love and elopement and (6) Marriage by exchange. In addition to bride price, the groom has to bear the entire expenditure on marriage celebrations. Levirate is socially permitted. Widow remarriages among Gonds are called 'pat' in their dialect. Divorce (parikat) is easily granted for both man and woman on the grounds of adultery, barrenness, impotency and maladjustment.

Gonds generally attribute the cause of death to evil spirits. In case of children and unmarried, the corpse is buried and in case of others, it is cremated with elaborate rites.

The religious pantheon among Gonds includes innumerable phratry, clan, village Gods and Goddesses is addition to Shambu Mahadeo (Lord Siva), Pahandikupar Lingal and Jangubai. The God in Gondi dialect is known as pen and their Supreme. God is Persa Pen. Each phratry is having its own Persa Pen. Two important ceremonies are observed in the months of Bhave (April - May) and Pus (December- January) in honour of Persa Pen of each phratry. Similarly each clan or sub clan (khandan) members observe annual festivals and rituals in honour of their clan deities. Important deities worshipped by Gonds are Akipen (village deity). Nat Aawal (village mother). Siva Aawa or Dasuri Aawa (mother goddess), Polam Rajul (deity of hills and forests) Gouri Pen (goddess of tiger) and Dodi Marke (mother of cowshed). Gonds do not eat the first fruits or new food grains or vegetables unless their first crops are offered to village deity. This ceremony is known as 'nowon' in Gondi. They also observe a ceremony called 'Rajul Munda' before they cut teak wood or leaves.

Males among Gond tribe perform robust dance called 'Dandari' during Ashada (June - July ) on full moon day and on festive occasion. Both males and females perform 'Demsa' Dance during marriage ceremonies. There are five varieties of Dandari Dance viz., Gusadi, Gummela, Parra, Tappal and Kodal. Gusadi is performed by all Gonds irrespective of phratry or clan affiliation but the other four patterns of dances by members of specific phratries only. Gummela is performed by members of four divine brother group para by five divine brother group, Kodal by six divine brother group and Tappal by seven divine brother group.

The traditional village councils are very strong and powerful in Gond villages. Inter village councils called Raya Sabha are functioning in Gond Villages and each one settles inter village disputes of a group of 10 to 20 villages. All the members of village councils are members of Raya Sabhas. Traditional village councils used to maintain Grain Golas (Grain banks) in respective village to help the members in getting food grains in times of need.

Gonds subsist on agriculture and agricultural labour. They grow jowar, cotton, redgram, blackgram, greengram etc.,

The Naikpods are listed along with Gonds and Raj Gonds in the list of Scheduled Tribes (at serial No.6 in the scheduled Castes and scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 1976) even though these two are distinct and different groups. There is neither matrimonial nor commensual relationship between these two groups. Naikpods claim superiority over Gonds and do not accept cooked food from the latter. They did not adopt the phratry system or clan structure of Gonds even though Naikpods have been living in the same habitat in close proximity with Gonds. They are divided into number of exogamous groups on the basis of surnames or septs. The surname only regulates the matrimonial relations.

Laxmi devata, consort of Lord Krishna, was the chief deity to Naikpods. Naikpods generally put on the colourful masks of Laxmi Devara, Lord Siva, five brother Pandavas, Pandi Raju (Pig God), Potu Raju (dog god), Gorrapothu (Sheep god) and Singaboyudu and perform rituals. These masks and associated ceremonies are distinct heritage of Naikpods. Gonds call Naikpods as Mathyalu, which means fisher folk.