Life and times of Raj Gonds

On the occasion of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9), Goethe-Zentrum screened a documentary film ‘Raj Gonds - Reflections in a Peacock Crown’ and followed by a panel discussion on ‘Raj Gonds and the legacy of Christoph Von Furer-Haimendorf’.

The documentary film made by Chris Curling, Peter Loizos and Michael Yorke explored about the Raj Gonds lifestyle in the 1980’s. The 55-minute film showcased how landlords treated the tribal for their personal needs.

The film also revealed about the cultural rituals of the Raj Gonds. The film screening was followed by the panel discussion by Dr Thodasam Chandu, Dr BhangyaBhukya and Sardar Harpal Singh. All the three of them shared their view about the Christoph Von Furer-Haimendorf’s connection with the Raj Gonds of Adilabad.

Christopher Von Furer-Haimendorf was an Austrian ethnologist and professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies at London. He spent forty years of his life studying tribal cultures in India.

Sardar Harpal Singh, says,“In 1941, Christopher came to Adilabad. He was inspired by the protest of Komaram Bheem, who strived for the rights of Raj Gonds. In those days forest officials didn’t allow the Raj Gonds to cultivate the lands. He requested the then King Nizam to address the issue of Raj Gonds. Due to his efforts, the Nizam distributed the lands to 30,000 families of Raj Gonds.”

Another panelist, Dr Thodasam Chandu, says, “The tribal people were independent before Indian Independence. After 1947, the tribal became dependent on landlords. Christopher started an education programme for Raj Gonds in 1940’s. He learned the Gond language and spent 40 years to revive their living conditions.”