Gowari is one of over 700 tribal groups in India. In censuses conducted in India from 1871 to 1941, tribals were enumerated separately from other religions, identified by various classifications such as Other religion-1871, Aboriginal 1881, Forest Tribe-1891, Animist-1901, Animist-1911, Primitive-1921, Tribal Religion-1931, and "Tribe-1941". However, starting from the 1951 census, tribals have been counted within the
Hindu category. Despite occasional errors in literature, they do not speak a distinct language. The principal deities of the Gowāris are the Kode Kodwan or deified ancestors, worshipped during annual festivals and weddings. The original ancestors are believed to be Kode Kodwan, the names of two Gond gods, Bāghoba (the tiger-god), and Meghnāth, son of Rāwan, after whom the Gonds are called Rāwanvansi or descendants of Rāwan. There are two main castes among the Gonds: (1) Aadi Gond or Dhur Gond, and (2) Raj Gond. Adi Gonds, known as ordinary Gonds, mostly inhabit forest areas away from modern civilization, while Raj Gonds are those who were kings with their own land and kingdom. The Gond people called him Rajgond, who was earlier a chieftain or a king living among the Gond tribes. As they ran the royal palace and were part of the elite branch, they also came to be called Rajgond. Over time, many Gond dynasties came in contact with other kings, with some adopting Shaivism and others adopting Hinduism, thereby departing from their Gondi culture. Additionally, differences among the Gonds are also based on their additional professions: (1) Ojha or Baiga - exorcist, (2) Pardhan - priest, (3) Solaha - carpenter, (4) Gowari - shepherd, and (5) Agaria - blacksmith. == Distribution and reservations ==