Who Are the Bondo?
The Bondo (also Bondo Poraja or Remo) are an indigenous tribal people of the Malkangiri district in Odisha state, eastern India. Numbering approximately 12,000-15,000, they inhabit the remote, forested hills of the Bondo Ghati (Bondo valley) near the Andhra Pradesh border. The Bondo speak Bondo, a Munda language of the Austroasiatic family, marking them as among India's oldest inhabitants predating Indo-Aryan migrations. The Bondo are particularly known for the distinctive appearance of women, who traditionally shave their heads, wear heavy brass necklaces (ringa), and minimal clothing. Classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), the Bondo face challenges of isolation, poverty, and rapid cultural change.
Hill Agriculture
Traditional Bondo economy centers on shifting cultivation (jhum) in the forested hills of their homeland. Families clear forest patches, burn the vegetation, and cultivate for one to three years before moving to new plots, allowing the land to regenerate. Major crops include finger millet (ragi), sorghum, pulses, and various vegetables. The hilly terrain limits wet rice cultivation, making shifting cultivation the most practical approach. Hunting and gathering supplement agriculture; forests provide fruits, tubers, honey, and small game. The Bondo also keep chickens, goats, and pigs. Cash needs are met through sale of forest products and participation in local markets. Government programs have attempted to introduce settled agriculture with mixed success.
Women's Status
Bondo society is notable for women's relatively strong position. Women traditionally shave their heads (reportedly to make themselves less attractive to slave raiders historically) and wear distinctive ornaments including heavy brass neck rings. They work extensively in agriculture and trade, often appearing more publicly than men. Women select marriage partners; the practice of younger women marrying older men (sometimes with significant age gaps) has drawn outside attention and controversy. Women participate actively in village economies and local markets. While patrilineal inheritance patterns exist, Bondo women exercise considerable agency. The distinctive appearance of Bondo women has made them subjects of photography and tourism, raising questions about representation and consent.
Contemporary Bondo
Modern Bondo communities face the challenges common to India's scheduled tribes: isolation, limited education and health services, and pressure on traditional livelihoods. The Indian government classifies the Bondo as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, providing special protections and development programs. Schools and health centers have been established, though access remains difficult in the hilly terrain. Some Bondo youth have gained education and employment outside traditional areas. Tourism has increased, with visitors coming to photograph Bondo markets and villages—a development bringing income but also concerns about dignity and cultural commodification. The Bondo navigate between preserving distinctive traditions and accessing modern opportunities in one of India's most remote regions.
References
- Elwin, V. (1950). Bondo Highlander
- Nayak, P. K. (1989). Blood, Women and Territory: An Analysis of Clan Feuds of the Bondo
- Ota, A. B. & Sahoo, T. (2018). Primitive Tribal Groups of Odisha