Bhatra

The Bhatras are one of the major tribal groups of the Chhattisgarh found mostly in Bastar and Raipur divisions of the state. Bhatras are known for their unique costumes and traditions but their origin is still a mystery. Bhatras have three sub-groups - Pit, Amnet and Sebhatra. Women folks enjoy high status in the society and the Bhatra girls have full freedom to choose their husbands or live as wife with the person they like with or without marriage. As far as their eating habits are concerned, like other tribals they too prefer liquor consumption, fruits and animal food.

The Bhatras practice shifting cultivation type of agriculture and don't have private lands. Other major activity of the Bhatras is collecting minor forest produces and selling that to the traders of Bastar. Most of them work as farm or household workers for their survival. They love intoxicating Mahua drinks and the Mahua tree is so much revered by them that the marriage ceremonies can't be completed without taking rounds of this tree. Like other tribes, Bhatras too are superstitious and believe in magic and sorcery.