Dantewada has been able to successfully safeguard it’s age old rich tribal culture and tradition till date. The essence and purity of the tribal culture has remained uninfluenced by the rapid changes that are happening around. Dantewada is inhabited by several tribal groups, out of which three particular tribes are found widely in the district namely Dandami Mariyas or Gonds, Dorla, Halba.

Food Habits The tribes of Dantewada are mainly non-vegetarians, they habitually take liquor, paje (a non-toxic liquid preparation made from water and small amount of cooked rice), Sulphi (Intoxic liquor collected from a tall palm like tree), Landa (a toxic liquid preparation made from water, Madiya, Rice & Corn). Kosra (a kind of grain like rice), rice, Madiya are their main food grains.

The tribes of Dantewada wear very limited clothes, The tribal ladies embellish their neck with Garland of Karipot (Black Pearl), Muhar Mala (A garland made with coins).They also wear Chude, Chudiya made from Gold, Silver, Brass, Alluminium, Clay, Lead & Wood. They tattoo their skins with different designs.

Like all the tribes of India the tribes of Dantewada too believe in Gods and Goddesses, Jhad Phook , Bhooth-Preth , Jadu-Tona , Panjiyan-Perma (Panjiya is the one who forecasts and Perma is the elder person of the village who is obeyed by all the villagers and who guides them in different rituals and worship).

Tribes of Dantewada celebrate different fairs and festivals round the year which include the major festivals of Hindus like Diwali, Holi,Dashehra,Goncha (The Rath Utsav), Fagun etc. and their own festivals called as Pandum.

Different types of marriages are prevailing in the Tribal society of Dantewada, they are Mangni Vivah (Arranged Marriage), Bahu-Vivah (Polygamy), Vridh Vivah (Old Marriage), Dharjiya Vivah (Inviting the male to become son-in-law, living and depending on the in-laws after marriage), Apharan-Vivah / Jikunanun (Kidnapping and marrying a girl without her consent). There is a custom to celebrate Chatti (the 6th day’s celebration) on the occasion of the child’s birth.

The main occupations of the tribes of the district Dantewada is farming, Poultry Farming, Animal Husbandry. They also sell minor forest produces like leaves, fruits, Datun , fire wood, Basta (new infant root of Bamboo tree), Boda, Tikhur, Chati, Dhup, Chiraunji (a dry fruit), Fish, baskets, Soop made from Bamboo.

Yet another powerful way of enjoying themselves is the Murga Ladai (the cock fight in which two cocks are fought with each other after fixing a sharp knife to their legs and betting on the cocks). Murga-Ladai is so famous in this area that scores of viewers can be found standing around the playground thoroughly enjoying the fight on any fair or weekly market day.

The tribes of Dantewada are excellent artisans; they are experts in crafting artistic items with Clay, Stone, Bamboo, and Metals.