Khonds

Khonds (Odia: କନ୍ଧ; Hindi: खोंड, also spelled Kondha) are an ethnic group of India. They are a designated Scheduled Tribe in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal. Traditionally hunter-gatherers, their main divisions are the Kutia, or hill Khonds and plain-dwelling Khonds; the landowners among them are known as Raj Khonds. The Khonds speak the Kui language.

History

Meriah sacrifice

The Khonds became known during the British occupation of their district about 1835 for the practice of human sacrifice. These sacrifices were known as Meriah and were intended to further the fertilization of the earth. It was incumbent on the Khonds to purchase their victims. Unless bought with a price, they were not deemed acceptable. They seldom sacrificed Khonds, though in hard times Khonds were obliged to sell their children and they could then be purchased as ''meriahs''. Persons of any race, age or sex were acceptable if purchased. Many were bought and kept and well treated. ''Meriah'' women were encouraged to become mothers.