Halbaa

The Halbaas are one of the major tribes found in central India. Known for their unique culture and way of life, Halbaas reside in relatively larger part of central India covering Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, the eastern Maharashtra and the western Orissa. In Chhattisgarh they are mainly found in Bastar, Raipur and Durg districts. Perhaps, the name 'Halbaa' has been derived from the Hindi word 'Hal', the plough, which goes on to prove that they are primarily agriculturists. Other major activities of Halbaas are collecting fruits and other forest goods and iron working (Bastar has a large reserve of easily accessible iron ore).

Halbaas can be divided into three major types - Chhatisgarhia, Marathia and Bastaria. Also, the Bastaria Halbaas (Halbaas of Bastar district) enjoy great similarities with the tribals of the Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh. Halbaas are comparatively more developed and rich tribal groups in the region mainly due to the fact that they practice sedentary farming and most of them are landowners and landlords also. Halbaas also enjoy high and respectful 'local caste status' amongst the tribals in the region. Their customs and traditions, costumes and dialect make them different from the much popular Gonds tribes. Halbaas speak a dialect, which is a raw blend of three main languages in the region- Marathi, Oriya and Chhattisgarhi. The Bastaria Halbaas perform marriages only in their own clan living in Bastar district. Though, women enjoy a respectful status in the society, they cannot divorce their husbands. Other interesting feature of Halbaa society is that the widower can remarry only widows. Halbaas don't practice the Ghotul system of marriages but marriages amongst the same bloods are preferred. As far as eating habits of Halbaas are concerned, they eat meat and consume wine and mahua drinks with exception to Kabirpanthis (followers of saint Kabir regarding themselves as Hindu, though still maintaining monotheism and being opposed to idol worship) who are strictly vegetarians.