Bonda Tribe

Current Context : Recently, Mangala Muduli 19-year-old tribal student cracked the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), who is set to become the first member of the Bonda tribal community.

ABOUT BONDA TRIBE

• Location: Hilly terrains of the Eastern Ghats, particularly in the Malkangiri district of
• Population: Most isolated and primitive tribes in India. They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) due to their small population and vulnerable socio-economic conditions
• Language: Bonda language, also known as Remo, which belongs to the Munda language family.
• Attire: Bonda women are known for their distinctive dress, consisting of a “ringa” (a short cloth) around the waist, and elaborate bead necklaces, silver jewelry, and brass bangles.
• Marriage Practices: Ppractice of hypergamy, where older women marry younger men.
• Religious Beliefs: Practices animism, worshiping natural elements like the sun, moon, and earth, along with ancestral spirits.
• Literacy Rate : low literacy rates.

ECOOMIC ACTIVITIES:

• Practice shifting cultivation (also known as “slash and burn” agriculture), growing crops like millets, pulses, and oilseeds.
• They rely heavily on forest produce for their livelihood, including food, fuel, and materials for crafts.