Still in Chattisgarh
We’ve entered Bastar in southern Chattisgarh. The area is stunning with thick foliage lining the excellent (though skinny) road. Beyond the trees are fields that extend as far as the eye can see, almost touching the base of mountains that are perfectly placed in the backdrop.
Suddenly there’s a splash of color on the road. We’re lucky. It’s a group of men and boys from the Gondi tribe. Roughly 70% of Bastar’s 1.3 million people are tribals. Every month this particular group travels in the area, performing a ritualistic dance as they walk from one village to the next, celebrating their tradition and teaching the younger ones the dance steps so they can carry it on. Sun glasses and t-shirts are sort of compatible with the traditional head gear and waist belts. The outside world has clearly entered theirs.