Culture in Dadra and Nagar Haveli

The people, culture, festivals of Dadra & Nagar Haveli together present a colorful kaleidoscope. The union territory has a population of 2, 20,451, according to the census of 2001 among which 23 % of the population are urbanites. 62 % of the people of Dadra and Nagar Haveli belong to various tribal groups. The major tribes include Kokana, Varlies, Koli, Dhodia, Kathodi, Naika and Dublas. The tribals have their distinct culture and sets of rituals that vary from community to community. Folklores flow in he air as they strongly influence and control the expected behavioral patterns within the society. Songs and dance are an inevitable part of these tribal groups and practically each occasion, be it harvest, marriage or death, is accompanied by various forms of music.

Apart from the tribes of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the population comprises of people belonging to various religious sects and they maintain communal harmony among themselves. They have their own sets of festival with distinct rituals. However, the majority of the population are Hindus, which counts to be over 95 %.The tribes have their individual languages though Bhili and Bhilodi are mostly common. English is used for official purposes and the languages of Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati are widely popular, especially among the urbanites due to the proximity to the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The people are hardworking and simple in their way of life and live within closely knit bonds of family. Along with the people, culture, festivals of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, the color of the denizens of Dadra and Nagar Haveli spreads in their distinct food patterns, crafts, and even sports and other forms of entertainment.

Language

62% of the total population of about 2.20 lakhs is tribal. The Bhils, Konkans, Varlis and Dhodias are among the majority. Comprising of 3 villages of Dadra and 69 villages of Nagar Haveli, this tiny Union Territory retains little Portuguese influence. Most people still adhere to their tribal customs and beliefs and are simple and hardworking.

The principal languages spoken by the majority of the ‘Adivasis’ (tribals) are Bhili and Gujarati, while Marathi and Hindi are also spoken.

Religion

The largest percentages of people are Hindus followed by Christians and Muslims.

Food

The food in Dadra and Nagar Haveli is very strongly influenced by neighbouring state Gujarat. Almost always strictly vegetarian, Gujarati cuisine is unlike any other Indian cuisine. The difference lies in the unusual blending of the sweet with the salty into a harmonious whole. The grand spread of Gujarati cuisine can be glimpsed and savoured in the very popular "Gujarati Thali" a large silver platter consisting of innumerable bowls full of vegetable curries, dals or lentil based gravies, a variety of breads, savories - crisp spicy fried farsans, sweetmeats and an amazing range of sweet and sour chutneys and pickles. The entire meal including the vegetables and dals (curried lentils) achieves a delicate balance of flavours - sweet and sour, salty and spicy, crisp and soft, low fat and deep-fried!

Some of the well-known Gujarati delicacies are Paunk (combination of various roasted cereals), kadi (a curry of yogurt and chopped vegetables), khamam dhokla (a salty, sweet-and-sour cake made from chickpea flour), shrikhand (a dessert made from yoghurt spiced with saffron, nuts, cardamom and dry fruit) and doodh pak (a dessert of thick sweetened milk with dry fruit and nuts).

The local liquor is called ‘Tadi’ and is made of ‘Mahua’ flowers.

Culture and Crafts

Most of the inhabitants of Dadra and Nagar Haveli still abide by their tribal culture and joyously take part in native dances such as the Tarpa Nach and Bhavada. The Kokna tribes perform the Tarpa, where participants dance to the accompaniment of a musical instrument made of dried gourd. The musical instrument is called Pavri or Tarpa. Some of them also perform feats of skill.

The most popular crafts are making of leather slippers and weaving mats and baskets of bamboo.