Gonds from Chhattisgarh break convention – use watches whose hands turn anti-clockwise

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<strong>When we see anything which does not conform to the usual we are confused and amazed, as one would be on seeing clocks that move in the opposite direction. Yes, watches and clocks which move not clockwise but anti-clockwise – from right to left.</strong></p>
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That is precisely what north Chhattisgarh’s Koriya district Gond tribals do and believe or not their clocks show perfect time. The only difference is that there is a change in the position of the numerals. So instead of 12 following 11 it is 12 followed by 11.</p>
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Talking about these clocks to Hindustan Times, M.S. Rawat who works in the Bilaspur Engineering College as a professor of mechanical engineering said: “Clock hands moving anti-clockwise do not violate any physical laws.  Making them move clockwise is just a convention we follow. It’s like driving on the left side of the road. Countries which drive on the right manage their traffic perfectly well too!”</p>
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The Gondwana Samaj in Koriya district took the decision to adopt the ‘anti-clockwise clock’ in 2008. They resolved to do so keeping in mind the long-standing Gond belief that movements from left to right are inauspicious. People felt that their ancestors would not forgive them if they continued to use the conventional watches and clocks.</p>
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Nemchand Dhikra, a farmer from Koriya told the media: “The existing clock is a colonial relic. We adopted it under European influence. We should discard it if we want to go back to our roots.”</p>
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<img alt="" src="https://www.indianarrative.com/upload/news/Gond_Watch2.jfif" style="width: 720px; height: 480px;" /></p>
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Apart from Koriya people, other families of the Gond tribal community which are associated with the Adivasi Shakti Peeth in Korba district use this type of clock. They believe that like the earth which rotates in anticlockwise direction or the vortex in the pond that too moves in the same direction, the community too can’t move in the contrary direction.</p>
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Even the bride and the groom in this area take saath phere in an anticlockwise direction during the wedding rituals.</p>
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Besides Gonds, 29 other communities follow the Gondwana clock.</p>