Muria people facts for kids

A Muria man and woman

The Muria are an indigenous Adivasi, scheduled tribe Dravidian community of the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, India. They are part of the Gondi people. Traditionally, they are economically homogeneous and strive to work as a collective. They have an omnivorous diet, with liquor playing a key role in social gatherings.

Etymology

Shiva Tosh Das writes that the name Muria comes from the root word mur, which can be translated as either "root" or "permanent"; it may be based on the fact that the Muria are settled, unlike the nomadic Maria.

Social structure

The Muria prioritise collectiveness. They are divided into five phratries:

• the Nagvans (Snake Race),
• the Kacchimvans (Tortoise Race),
• the Bakravans (Goat Race),
• the Baghvans (Tiger Race) and
• the Bodminkvans (Fish Race).

They are not allowed to eat their totem animal, and must mourn it if one dies.

Costume

Muria women in dance costume

Muria dance in Bastar district

Male Muria wear clothing similar to that of the Chandrapur District, while the females often dress in simple garments. The style of the garments appears to have been modified after contact with other tribes, as observed in the early 1980s.

Location

The Muria live in the north-central part of Bastar district, north of the Indravati River, located in Chhattisgarh state in central India. They live in two administrative divisions: the Kondagaon District in the east and the Narayanpur District in the west.

Economy

Compared to other Adivasi, the Muria are relatively prosperous. Their economic stratification has traditionally been homogeneous, with exceptional consumption outside of designated periods, such as feasts, viewed as "socially threatening, hubristic, and disruptive"; conspicuous wealth has been considered to cause more problems than it solves. Alfred Gell writes that the disparity between their perception of the ethics of consumption and modern production technology has caused some to have more wealth than they are willing to spend.

Diet

The Muria are generally self-sufficient in producing and consuming Forest produce depends like fruits tendu, chhar, jam, bhelanwa, ber mango, dal, chickpeas, and lentils. Vegetables, including radishes, eggplant, chili, and tomatoes are eaten during important ceremonies; rice is also eaten at these times. Luxury foods for the Muria tend to be traditional. The Muria people drink a local form of liquor Mahuva, Selfi, which plays a key role in social and ritual gatherings.

Religion

The Muria traditionally practice their folk religion, nature of worshipping, and Budhadev (Dev) God the deities of their respective village and clan, similar to Sarnaism.