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Tribes in Maharashtra, List of Some Major Tribes in Maharashtra 

Check out Tribes in Maharashtra here. This page contains the information about list of major tribes in Maharashtra, tribal villages in Maharashtra and culture of tribes in Maharashtra.
authorImageGoldi Tomar10 Jan, 2025
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Tribes in Maharashtra

Tribes in Maharashtra: Tribes in Maharashtra are a group of people who prefer to live outside of the state's cities and towns and who share a shared language, culture, and history. Maharashtra is home to over 50 tribal groups and these tribes primarily reside in the hilly and forested areas of the state, which include the Western Ghats, Sahyadri ranges, and regions along the Godavari and Tapi rivers.

Also Read: Smallest District in Maharashtra

Tribes in Maharashtra

The majority of the tribes in Maharashtra resides in the eastern forest districts of Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Bhandara, Gondia, Nagpur, Amravati, and Yavatmal, as well as the western hilly districts of Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Nashik, Palghar, and Thane. Maharashtra is made up of 36 districts. Maharashtra has 29 Integrated Tribal Development Project Offices for its tribes. Eleven Integrated Tribal Development Project Offices have been determined to be the most vulnerable. The ITDP offices in Nashik, Kalwan, Taloda, Jawhar, Dahanu, Dhaarani, Kinwat, Pandharkavda, Gadchiroli, Aheri, and Bhamragarh are the most sensitive.

List of Some Major Tribes in Maharashtra

The table that follows provides a thorough explanation of the tribe's division, including a breakdown of each of the subtribes that fall under each of the aforementioned major tribes.
Some major tribes in Maharashtra
Gond Tribes in Maharashtra
  • Maria Gond
  • Dhruve Gond
  • Dorla Gond
  • Raj Gond
Bhil Tribes in Maharashtra
  • Kokna
  • Dhanka Bhil
  • Bhilala
  • Vasava
  • Pawara
  • Bhil Mavchi
  • Pardhi Bhil
  • Bhil Garasia
  • Bhil Gamit
  • Barda Bhil
Korku Tribes in Maharashtra
  • Bharia Korku
  • Bhil Korku
  • Halam Korku
  • Nihal Korku
  • Nahul Korku
Warli Tribes in Maharashtra
  • Kudala Warli
  • Warli
  • Dhodi Warli
  • Kholcha Warli
  • Mokhada Warli
Kolam Tribes in Maharashtra
  • Dorla Kolam
  • Kolam
  • Gondhali Kolam
  • Pardhan Kolam
  • Raj Kolam
Mahadeo Koli Tribes in Maharashtra
  • Rathod Koli
  • Thakur Koli
  • Kadam Koli
  • Dhangar Koli
  • Dhuri Koli
Katkari Tribes in Maharashtra
  • Toli Kathkari
  • Rajkatkari
  • Dhor Kathkari
  • Son Kathkari
  • Dhankar Kathkari
Thakar Tribes in Maharashtra
  • Thakar Kholcha
  • Thakar Vareli
  • Thakar Dhodia
  • Thakar Kudala
Dhangar Tribes in Maharashtra
  • Khutekar Dhangar
  • Hatkar Dhangar
  • Ahir Dhangar
  • Khatik Dhangar
  • Gavli Dhangar
GI tag in Maharashtra

List of Some tribal villages in Maharashtra

The following villages are on Maharashtra's list of tribal villages:
  • Nyahale Khurd
  • Gond Khurd
  • Poshera
  • Gopalpur
  • Kelapur
  • Akarna
  • Bhamragad

Culture and Lifestyle of Tribes in Maharashtra

Maharashtrians come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. According to the government of Maharashtra's announcement for tribes in Maharashtra, the Bhil, Warli, Gond, Korku, Govari, and many more tribal groups who live in the Western Ghats and Satpura Range are officially recognized as Scheduled Tribes.
  • Most of Maharashtra's present population is made up of Marathas and Kunbis, who are descended from northern settlers who came to the region around the beginning of the first century CE. The diversity of religions in Maharashtra is representative of India as a whole.
  • According to the 1991 census, around 73.18 lakh people in Maharashtra are nomadic tribes. They are widely dispersed, primarily on hillsides.
  • The main tribes in Maharashtra are the Bhil, Gond-Madia, Katkari, Koli, Oraon, and Warli. The great majority of the tribes in Maharashtra still adhere to outdated beliefs. People live in villages and travel around in caravans in search of work and make a living.
  • They have a strong cultural heritage that sets them apart from other social groups, as evidenced by their attire, accent, folklore customs, and behaviors. Ancient customs like various types of worshiping nature, offering animals as sacrifices during religious events, and decorating heads with horns are still followed today.
  • These Maharashtra tribes are illiterate and constantly on the move, which makes it hard for them to survive.
  • It is challenging for them to integrate into society since they must keep moving in pursuit of employment. Thousands of families from these Maharashtra tribes live in makeshift shelters and travel about.

Capital of Maharashtra

Tribes in Maharashtra FAQs

What are the major tribes in Maharashtra?

Major tribes include the Warli, Bhils, Gonds, Koknas, and Mahadeo Kolis.

Where are the Warli tribes found?

The Warli tribes are primarily found in the northern parts of Maharashtra, especially in the Thane and Palghar districts.

Which tribe in Maharashtra is known for their traditional dance form, the Gondi?

The Gonds, primarily found in the central and eastern parts of Maharashtra, are known for their Gondi dance.

What languages do Maharashtra's tribal communities speak?

Tribes in Maharashtra speak various languages, including Warli, Gondi, Bhili, and Kokna, along with Marathi.
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