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India is home to many tribal communities, each with unique customs and traditions. The list of tribal festivals in India highlights the rich cultural heritage of these communities. Celebrated with music, dance, and age-old rituals, these events offer a glimpse into the vibrant life of different tribes. Passed down through generations, these traditions reflect a deep connection to nature and community life. India’s festival calendar showcases some of the most famous tribal celebrations that preserve and honour the country’s diverse cultural roots.
List Of Tribal Festivals In India
Let’s explore the list of tribal festivals in India that showcase unique traditions, vibrant dances, and rich cultural heritage.
1. Madai Festival
Photo: Diz_Daily / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Madai Festival is a traditional festival in India for the Gond tribe. The festival is held between December and March, a procession is carried from one village to another.It is celebrated to honour their gods and goddesses, seeking their protection and blessings. The festival starts with a grand procession carrying the deity’s idol, followed by prayers, music, and dance. The Gond people believe their ancestors’ spirits visited them during this time. People gather in large numbers to watch folk performances, listen to old legends, and participate in feasting. Markets are set up where villagers trade goods, making it a lively event.
Celebrated In: Chhattisgarh
Things To Do: Watch traditional dances, enjoy folk music, explore local markets, taste traditional food
Major Attractions: Grand processions, folk performances, storytelling, community feasts
2. Bhagoriya Festival
Photo: Chetansoni / Wikimedia Commons
Bhagoriya Festival is a vibrant event celebrated by the Bhil and Bhilala tribes before Holi, usually in March. It is known for its unique tradition of young men and women choosing their life partners. The festival has a deep-rooted connection with tribal courtship rituals, where a boy applies red powder on a girl’s face as a sign of love. If she accepts, they run away together, and the elders later approve their union. The festival also features music, dance, and colourful fairs, where locals buy jewellery, clothes, and food. The lively atmosphere makes it one of the most traditional festivals in India.
Celebrated In: Madhya Pradesh
Things To Do: Visit local fairs, watch traditional performances, taste regional food, shop for handicrafts
Major Attractions: Tribal matchmaking tradition, music and dance, vibrant markets
3. Tribal Dussehra Of Bastar
Photo: Sushil.skk / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Unlike the Dussehra celebrations in other parts of India, Bastar Dussehra is a unique tribal festival that lasts for 75 days. It starts in July and ends in October, making it the longest-running Dussehra festival. The event is not about Lord Ram’s victory over Ravana but is dedicated to Goddess Danteshwari, the deity of the Bastar tribes. The main rituals include a procession of the goddess, the collection of sacred wood, and traditional animal sacrifices. The festival unites several tribal communities, each showcasing their customs through folk dances, music, and prayers. It reflects the deep spiritual connection the tribal people have with their gods and ancestors.
Celebrated In: Bastar, Chhattisgarh
Things To Do: Witness tribal processions, explore local markets, watch traditional ceremonies
Major Attractions: Rituals dedicated to Goddess Danteshwari, sacred wood collection, cultural performances
4. Karma Festival
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Karma Festival is a major tribal festival in India, celebrated by the Munda, Oraon, and Ho tribes in September. The festival is dedicated to Karam Devta, the god of youth and fertility. The main ritual involves planting Karam tree branches and worshipping them. Young girls fast and pray for the well-being of their brothers and families. In the evening, people gather around the tree to sing, dance, and tell stories of Karam Devta. The festival promotes nature worship, as people believe that cutting trees without rituals brings bad luck. This age-old tradition highlights the tribal communities’ respect for nature and their gods.
Celebrated In: Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh
Things To Do: Participate in traditional dances, enjoy folk music, witness rituals under the Karam tree
Major Attractions: Karam tree worship, folk songs, bonfire celebrations
5. Garia Puja
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Garia Puja is a significant festival for the Tripuri tribe, celebrated in April. It is dedicated to Baba Garia, the deity of wealth and prosperity. The festival involves rituals like animal sacrifices, where cocks are offered to seek blessings. Young boys and girls perform the bamboo stick dance, a unique part of the festival. Villagers make offerings of rice, beer, and flowers to the deity, believing that it will bring them a good harvest. The celebration ends with a feast, music, and dance, making it one of the most famous tribal festivals in northeast India.
Celebrated In: Tripura
Things To Do: Watch bamboo stick dances, witness rituals, taste traditional rice beer
Major Attractions: Worship of Baba Garia, bamboo dance, tribal music
6. Tusu Parab
Photo: Alok avinash / Wikimedia Commons
Tusu Parab is a harvest festival celebrated by tribal communities during January, coinciding with Makar Sankranti. It is dedicated to Goddess Tusu, a symbol of prosperity and fertility. Women make clay idols of the goddess and sing folk songs while carrying them to a river for immersion. The festival has a unique historical connection, as some believe that Tusu Devi was a brave tribal girl who fought against oppression. The celebrations include community feasts, processions, and traditional performances, making it a joyful occasion that strengthens the bond among tribal families.
Celebrated In: Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha
Things To Do: Participate in idol immersion processions, enjoy folk songs, taste local food
Major Attractions: Goddess Tusu idol immersion, folk music, community feasts
7. Sohrai
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Sohrai is a traditional festival in India, celebrated by the Santhal and Munda tribes after the harvest season in November. It is dedicated to cattle, which play an essential role in tribal agriculture. On this day, people clean and decorate their cattle with oil and natural colours before worshipping them. Women create beautiful murals on the walls of their houses, using a mixture of clay and natural dyes. The festival includes folk dances, music, and grand feasts, where people share traditional food. Sohrai reflects the deep connection between tribal communities and nature, highlighting their gratitude for their livelihood and traditions.
Celebrated In: Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha
Things To Do: Witness cattle worship rituals, see tribal wall paintings, enjoy traditional dances
Major Attractions: Cattle worship, mural paintings, harvest celebrations
8. Sarhul
Photo: Ramjit Tudu / Wikimedia Commons
Sarhul is a spring festival celebrated by the Oraon, Munda, and Ho tribes during March-April. It marks the beginning of the new year and is dedicated to the Sal tree, which is considered sacred. The festival starts with rituals and offerings of Sal flowers to deities. People believe that the tree’s blooming symbolises happiness and prosperity for the year ahead. The celebrations include folk music, dances, and traditional feasts. Sarhul is one of the most famous tribal festivals that showcases the tribal communities’ respect for nature and their gods.
Celebrated In: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha
Things To Do: Attend traditional dances, witness Sal tree rituals, enjoy community feasts
Major Attractions: Sal tree worship, folk performances, spring celebrations
9. Suggi
Photo: Pavanaja / Wikimedia Commons
Suggi is a famous indian festival celebrated in Karnataka by the farming communities in January and February. The festival is a time for farmers to celebrate their hard work and thank the gods for a good harvest. The main highlight is bullock cart races, where farmers decorate their cattle and participate in competitions. Women prepare traditional sweets made of jaggery and coconut. Villages organise folk dances and music performances, making it a grand celebration. Suggi reflects the cultural traditions of Karnataka’s tribal and farming communities, showing their connection with agriculture and nature.
Celebrated In: Karnataka
Things To Do: Watch bullock cart races, enjoy folk dances, taste traditional sweets
Major Attractions: Harvest celebrations, bullock races, festive sweets
10. Dree Festival
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The Dree Festival is an important agricultural celebration of the Apatani tribe in Arunachal Pradesh. It is held on 5th July each year to pray for a good harvest and protect crops from pests and natural disasters. The festival honours four deities—Tamu, Metii, Danyi, and Harniang—who are believed to bring prosperity. Rituals include animal sacrifices, traditional dances, and prayers for healthy crops. The festival calendar of India marks this as one of the most significant tribal events in the Northeast, bringing families and villagers together to celebrate with local rice beer and cultural performances.
Celebrated In: Arunachal Pradesh
Things To Do: Watch traditional Apatani dances, witness rituals, try local food, experience folk music, enjoy community feasts
Major Attractions: Prayers for crops, animal sacrifices, folk performances, traditional rice beer, Apatani cultural showcase
This list of tribal festivals in India shows how different communities celebrate their traditions with dance, music, and rituals. These festivals bring people together and keep old customs alive. Each festival has its own meaning, from harvest celebrations to honouring gods and nature. They reflect the strong cultural roots of tribal communities and their deep connection with their surroundings and beliefs.
Cover Photo: Gurpreet Singh Ranchi / Wikimedia Commons
