Volume : 12, Issue : 4, APR 2026

THE ABUJHMARHIA OF CHHATTISGARH: A STUDY OF SOCIAL STRUCTURE, CULTURE, AND MODERNITY

JUSTIN DEVARAJ, DR. RASHMI KUJUR, DR. L.S. GAJPAL, RESHMA BANJARE

Abstract

The Abujhmarhia, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) of Chhattisgarh, represent one of the most isolated and culturally distinctive tribal communities in India. Residing in the remote Abujhmarh hills of Bastar and Dantewada regions, they have preserved their traditional social institutions, cultural practices, and subsistence-based economy despite increasing exposure to modernization. This study examines the social structure, cultural traditions, religious beliefs, economic activities, and contemporary developmental challenges of the Abujhmarhia community through a review of ethnographic and developmental literature. Particular attention is given to the Ghotul institution, which functions as a center of socialization, cultural transmission, and community governance. The study further explores the tribe’s myth-based worldview, rich artistic traditions, and dependence on shifting cultivation and forest resources for livelihood. While development initiatives, including tribal welfare programs and decentralized governance policies, have sought to improve socio-economic conditions, they have also introduced challenges related to cultural transformation and the erosion of indigenous knowledge systems. The findings highlight the need for a balanced and culturally sensitive development approach that promotes socio-economic advancement while safeguarding the unique cultural heritage and traditional institutions of the Abujhmarhia. The study contributes to a broader understanding of the interaction between tribal identity, cultural continuity, and modern development in contemporary India.

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IESRJ

International Educational Scientific Research Journal

E-ISSN: 2455-295X

International Indexed Journal | Multi-Disciplinary Refereed Research Journal

ISSN: 2455-295X

Peer-Reviewed Journal - Equivalent to UGC Approved Journal

Peer-Reviewed Journal

Article No : 52

Number of Downloads : 5

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