Halba Tribals
Introduction
The Halbaas are spread over Madhya
Pradesh,Chhattisgarh. Maharashtra and Orissa.In Chhattisgarh even though they are found in the districts of Raipur and Durg, they are mostly found in Bastar district.
Mainly there are three types of Halbas Chhatisgarhia,Maratia and Bastaria.The Halbaas of Bastar district have affinities with the tribals of the Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh.
They are probably known as Halbaas because they used to use 'Hal'.e.g. the plough- which means they are primarily agriculturists.Now the Halbaas can be found to be enguaged in many other activities also.
Halbaas are one of the developed and rich tribal groups mainly due to the fact that they are land owners and some are land lords also.
Halbaas enjoy high 'local caste status' amongst the tribals in the state. Because of their costume,dilect and social activities makes them different from Gonds tribes.
Their dilect is a raw mixing of the languages Marati,Oriya and Chhattisgarhi.