Give a brief account of the people of Bastar.

(i) Bastar is located in the southernmost part of Chhattisgarh.
(ii) Different communities live in Bastar such as Maria and Muria Gonds, Dhurwas, Bhatras, etc.
(iii) They speak different languages but share common customs and beliefs.
(iv) They believe that each village was given its land by the Earth and in return, they look after the Earth by making offerings during the festivals.
(v) In addition to the Earth, they pay respect to the spirits of river, the forest and the mountain.
(vi) Since each village knows its boundaries, they look after their natural resources within that boundary.
(vii) if they want to take some wood from another village, they pay a small fee called ‘devsari’ in exchange.
(viii) Some villages protect their forests by keeping warchmen and each house contributes grains to pay them. They meet once in a year to discuss issues of concern, including forests.