Wednesday, July 2, 2008




The Mawasi Korku tribes of the satpura ranges follow a culture very similar to the madias of bastar.The korkus are also a part of the vast group of the gonds.It is also said that the whole of central india and neighbouring orissa, Maharashtra, Andhra pradesh were all Gondwana landTtherefore the tribals of all these regions share a very similar culture and tradition.

The tribals in Bastar erect memory pillars to honour the departed souls.The Korkus also believe that within ten years of death if a memory pillar,, is not made then the soul of hte deceased does not attain peace.

A plank of wood of mango tree or a stone is shaped into a large tablet and it is inscribed with the name, family name of the deceased.It is also decorated with pictures of elements of nature like sun, moon, birds etc. The entire family then arrange for a celebration , where mahua flows freely,festive food is prepared, music and dance go on till late evening. The tablet is then placed in the sacred place where lot of other families have placed their pillars too.One such sacred place exists in Pachmari where these memorials can be seen.....where they pray for the peace of their ancestors to Gond Baba.A warning sign there also warns tourists against touching any of these sacred items....as one can be affected adversely bu it.

The lure of city life prompts these tribals to live a different life , but death often brings one back to reality!

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