The Baiga maintain tribal identity through observance of marriage rules and imposed restrictions on food and drink. Perhaps for this reason, they are considered as the priests among the Gonds. Their total population is 209535 according to 1981 census.

They are divided into ten endogamous groups. Myths and legends are functional for community dynamics, and religion and magic are well established institutions used against the forces of evils. The power of super-natural deities are mobilized through Tantric activities against the invisible and unknown power of disasters.

The Baiga also celebrate the festival of ‘Dassera’, related to the raising of good crops; ‘Bidi’, for community, welfare. ‘Phag’, for happiness; ‘Haredi’, to welcome the god of rain; ‘Kuki-dai’, for harvest; and ‘Pola’, to avert diseases. Baigas consider themselves as Lords of Earth, masters of wild animals and magic, inventors of love charms, controllers of natural calamities, and observers of purity in kinship relations.

They have many social dances. One of them is Bilma. Pardhauni – coming together –is celebrated at the time of Dussehra when one village group visits another village and they dance together. An Ojha masks provides amusement by parodying the tantrik rituals. The Kheksa mask is worn at the time of Ghora Paithai dance in Phagun, while in Mandla, women wear the ‘Gijji’ mask at that time.

The Gonds of Mandla install Budhadeo’s mask image under the Saja tree. Sacrifices are made and villagers dance throughout the night in front of the image. A man with the Budhadeo mask goes round the village blessing every household and dance group. It is an unusual mask with tatoos, flowers, etc. carved on it. The mask of Sehadeo, the god of crops, is also installed in the house. The evil Rashoskadeo’s mask is installed under a semal tree. Other masks like Thakurdeo’s and Khutabagh’s are worn by the Gunia, or Barua, after he goes into a trance.

Performers playing Rakshasa characters of the Ramayana, Pandavani, and Gondwani, don masks in the enactment of these ballads. There are also comic masks in some presentations.