Introduction / History

The Muria are a group of the Gond and are a scheduled caste. They live in the Bastar region of Madhya Pradesh. Smaller numbers live in other parts of central India.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Muria are cultivators, and they also sell products that come from the forest. They have a traditional village council to look after their needs. They are skilled at basket making.
They are not vegetarians and eat rice. Clan names are used by them as surnames. They have cross-cousin marriages, and the dead are buried. The Muria have a comb that represents love and friendship. They use traditional medicines rather than modern ones.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Hinduism is their official religion, but they have their own beliefs blended with it. An oral tradition in Gond Muria culture: There was a great rain, and the first world was drowned. But Gajabhimul put a brother and a sister--their names were Kawachi and Kuhrami--in a gourd called Dadha Burka Kawachi. This gourd drifted to and fro until it ran aground on a great rock. Mahapurub sent out a crow to search for men. The crow flew and flew and flew: what did it see? It saw water and a gourd on a great rock. … From the gourd Kawachi and Kuhrami came out."

What Are Their Needs?

The Muria Gond people need adequate clean water and better health care.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Muria council leaders will come to Jesus Christ and lead others to him.
Pray that God will give them dreams and visions leading them to salvation.
Pray for loving and dedicated workers.

Scripture Prayers for the Gond Muria in India.

References

Singh, K. S., ed. “India's Communities A-Z”, Oxford University Press, USA 1999
Oral tradition courtesy of Nick Liguori