People of Dangs, Gujarat

Self-contented to the extent of being misunderstood as lazy, the people of Dangs have a sturdy spirit of independence and intolerance of any external interference in their traditional habitat. By virtue of these qualities, they fought to the last ditch against any external influence whether it was from the Peshwa, the Gaikwad, the British or any other neighboring States. They are content to stay in their forest fastnesses.

For them, life is a long celebration. They live as there is no tomorrow. The virtue of “shyness of contact” with outsiders has left them on their own. Veneration for nature is a way of their life. They don’t need lessons for nature conservation. It is inherited since generations.

With 98% of the total population comprised of tribals, the district is inhabited by two main tribes, namely, Bhils and Kunbis, with a sprinkling of a few Warlis, Mavchis, Gamits, Kotwaliyas and Kathodiyas. There are three ethnic tribes identified as Primitive Tribal Group (PTG) also resides in the district: the Kotwalia, Kathodi and Kolcha.

The ecological factors of Dangs have provided them with a common ethos out of which a common Dangi personality has evolved. This personality is characterized by a typical mode of thinking, feeling and behaving. Common beliefs and attitudes, sentiments and ideals are at the basis of a Dangi personality. A Dangi lives a hard and monotonous life. By nature he is introvert and individualistic. Living as he does in the forests and mountains, he has imbibed from the soil a sturdy character and love of freedom.

Houses are generally crude (kutcha) huts of teak poles and bamboos, with the roof either thatched or covered with country tiles (nalia), walls made of bamboo splits or thick bamboo matting plastered with mud on both sides. The houses are provided with mud floors with cowdung plaster. Roofs are generally low and very few houses have windows.