Bonda

Abstract

In the wild and remote mountainous country located towards the south-western tip of the Malkangiri highlands and north-west of the river Machkund in Malkangiri district, lives a unique tribe noted for its fiercely independent spirit. The tribesmen identify themselves as 'Remo' (man). Their neighbours call them 'Bonda' . Found nowhere else except in those 32 villages confined to 130 Sq. K.Ms of hill area in the Khairput Block, the Bonda tribe as a whole represents a little changed primitive society with ancient tribal cultural characteristics. Though few in numbers, the tribe has successfully retained the distinctive features of its culture, chiefly due to its geographical isolation, and more perhaps due to its stubborn and independent spirit. Bonda speak a language of their own that belongs to the Austro-Asiatic language group. Yet the tribesmen exhibit great differences in appearance, customs and character from their brother groups belonging to the same language group. Some of the most striking features of the tribe are (1) spirit of independence and sense of freedom, (2) rude and ruthless manner of expression, (3) dormitory organization, (4) excessive addiction to palm-wine and (6) unconventional dress pattern. Bonda men are brave and bold. They derive their identity from their arms, such as bow, arrows, long knife which they always carry and sago palm-wine which is their most favourite drink. They often become violent under the intoxicating effects of such drinks. The Bonda women with their clean-shaven head decorated with head bands of palmyra strips and plaited fillets of caryota fiber stand out in sharp contrast with women of other tribal groups. Mass of coloured beads and shell strings, brass neck rings and necklaces hanging down even below the navel and the brass bangles covering the whole of the lower arms are the typical ornamentation of the Bondo women. A short and narrow strip of striped loin-cloth woven at home by a double-bar tensioned loom covering only the private parts comprises the woman's wear.After introduction of planned changes through the Micro Project and other development agencies, their life style is undergoing transformation. This photographic documentation of the tradition and change in life style of this tribe will be useful to students, academicians, inquisitive tourists, laymen and development practitioners.