Bison Horn Maria is tribal community found in
Gadchiroli District of
Maharashtra. A majority of this tribe have settled down in some parts of
Madhya Pradesh. The tribe gets its name from a distinctive headdress, worn at marriage dances, adorned with the horns of wild bison.
Many scholars believe that Bison Horn Maria is part of the Gond Tribe. Some others consider this community to be an earlier aboriginal tribe assimilated by the Gonds. They speak a distinct language known as Dandami Maria.
Their main source of income comes from forest products. A major part also engages in the field of agriculture. Their houses are made of woven bamboo with thatched roofs. Generally each house consists of three rooms, and a shed for cattle and a pig sty at the side.
The community members generally follow the basic Hindu customs and traditions. They worship non-human objects and spirits, along with worshipping Danteshwari, the earth goddess. Bison Horn Maria loves dance, drama and music.
