The Dhurwa believe that animals, birds, and trees possess souls and call upon the spirits of rain and river water
to bless them with good catches of fish and abundant crops. They live in fear of the spirit Rau, who marks his victims by
shooting small, painful stone or clay pieces at their backs. Only a medicine man can extract the small pieces of stone, whicH
remain invisible to the human eye and, if not removed, can lead to death.

A Gond group whose name may have come from "dhur," dust, meaning that they are 'lowly" people compared to
the Raj Gond. The Dharua, however, believe that their name comes from "dhara"= those who catch snakes,
birds and other small game, which is their traditional occupation.