Halbaas are tribal groups spread over
Madhya Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh,
Maharashtra and
Orissa. In Chhattisgarh, they are found in the
Raipur and
Durg districts, and mostly in
Bastar district.
Mainly there are three types of Halbaas, Chhatisgarhia, Maratia, and Bastaria. Halbaas of Bastar district have affinities with the tribes of the Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh.
They are probably known as Halbaas because they used to use 'Hal', (the plough) which means they are primarily agriculturists. Halbaas are one of the most developed and affluent tribal groups, mainly because they are landowners and landlords. Halbaas enjoy high local caste status amongst the tribes in the state. Because of their costumes, dialect, and social activities, they are different from Gond tribes. Their dialect is a raw mixing of
Marathi,
Oriya, and Chhattisgarhi languages.
Bastaria Halbaas perform marriages only among Halbaas of Bastar district. Women cannot divorce their husbands. Widowers can marry widows only and marriages among cousins are also preferred. The Halbaas eat a lot of wine and meat.
