TRIBES IN ODISHA

Odisha holds a distinctive place among India's States and Union Territories due to its rich and diverse tribal landscape. The majority of Scheduled Tribes inhabit hilly and forested regions, relying on a subsistence-based, non-stratified, and non-specialized economy. Their social structure is simple, with limited aspirations and needs. Despite facing social, educational, and economic disadvantages due to historical and geographical factors. Today in this blog we will delve into the different types of tribes in Odisha, their living conditions, occupation, social and demographic factors.

Odisha's tribal communities maintain a unique identity and vibrant socio-cultural environment. Since independence, efforts toward socio-economic development have accelerated. Odisha is home to 62 Scheduled Tribes who communicate in 74 different dialects, showcasing a rich and varied cultural heritage, ideology, and worldview.

The tribal communities range from nomadic food gatherers and hunters to skilled settled agriculturists and horticulturists. Consequently, Odisha's tribal regions present a highly diverse socio-economic landscape. The state's dense forests, rugged hills, and remote areas provide a supportive environment for a thriving tribal population. Among the 645 Scheduled Tribes recognized in India, Odisha has the highest number, with 62 indigenous tribal groups residing in the state.

MAJOR TRIBES IN ODISHA

Bonda Tribe

A remote hilly region in Malkangiri district, known as Bonda Hills, is characterized by steep slopes, dense green forests, and rugged terrain. This area is home to the Bonda tribe, one of Odisha's most well-known and distinct tribal communities. The Bondas, who refer to themselves as Remo (meaning "men"), are known for their fierce independence, resilience, and strong-willed nature.

They speak an Austro-Asiatic language, setting them apart from other tribal groups. The geographical inaccessibility of their habitat has contributed to their isolation and preserved their unique cultural identity. The origins and historical affiliations of the Bondas remain unclear. Residing at an altitude of 3,000 feet, they practice Podu (shifting) cultivation for sustenance.

A notable aspect of their society is the custom of older women marrying younger men. Bonda women wear distinctive attire, often minimal, which reflects their traditional way of life. Additionally, they continue to follow the barter system, exchanging agricultural produce for essential goods. The Bonda tribe, primarily forest dwellers, sustain themselves through shifting and wetland cultivation. They grow paddy along with black gram, maize, minor millets, and oilseeds. Their livelihood is further supported by foraging forest produce, hunting, and wage labor.

In Bonda society, women manage all commercial transactions in the marketplace, showcasing their economic role and independence. Meanwhile, Bonda men are known for their strong-willed nature and fierce sense of honor, often defending themselves if they feel slighted or threatened. They are also highly skilled hunters and marksmen.

Gadabas Tribe

The Gadabas are a vibrant tribal community believed to be among the earliest settlers, with their origins tracing back to the Ramayana era. Their ancestral homeland is thought to be in the northern Vindhya mountain ranges. The name "Gadaba" is linked to Gada, meaning a brook or streamlet found in this region of India.

The traditional houses of the Gadabas reflect their rich cultural heritage. They have developed their own language, Gutob, a Mundari dialect, and refer to themselves as Ghutan. Historically, the Gadabas were employed as load bearers in the hills, carrying palanquins, which is reflected in the meaning of their name—“one who carries a load on their shoulders.”

Today, the Gadaba tribe resides in various regions across Odisha, including Ganjam, Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, Boudh, and Phulbani. The Gadabas sustain themselves through agriculture, hunting, and fishing. Deeply religious, they often practice shamanic rituals as part of their spiritual traditions. Known for their love of music, they are especially famous for the Dhemsa dance, a vibrant and traditional folk dance that holds a significant place in their cultural heritage.

Bhumia Tribe

The Bhumia tribe of Odisha is known for its rich cultural heritage and is regarded as the most heroic among the state's tribal communities. They are believed to be a sub-caste of the Baiga tribe, which primarily resides in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. However, there is no recorded legend explaining when, how, or from where the Bhumias migrated to the undivided Koraput district. According to an ancient belief, their name, Bhumia, signifies their connection to the land, as it is derived from bhumi, meaning "soil."

The Gonds, a warrior tribe spread across the hills of Balangir, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, and Kalahandi, were once feared for their strength and dominance. They are one of the largest tribal groups in South Asia, historically inhabiting the uplands of the Deccan Plateau.

Kondh Tribe

The Niyamgiri hill range, located 40 km from Rayagada, is home to the Dongria Kondh, a distinct farming tribe known for their deep reverence for nature, hills, and streams. They worship Niyam Raja, the mountain god, and his hilly domain, which includes Niyam Dongar (meaning "Mountain of Law"), rising to an elevation of 4,000 meters.

The name Dongria Kondh is derived from dongar, meaning "mountain," but they identify themselves as Jharnia, or "protectors of the streams." This deep connection with nature is reflected in their art, which prominently features triangular motifs representing various deities.

As one of Odisha's largest tribal communities, the Kondhs possess extensive knowledge of forests, mountains, trees, and plants, including rare medicinal herbs, showcasing their harmonious coexistence with the natural world.

The Kondhs are a designated Scheduled Tribe in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and West Bengal. They speak Kui, their native language, and are primarily concentrated in the districts of Kandhamal (Phulbani), Balangir, Koraput, and Ganjam in Odisha.

Santhal Tribe

The Santhals are a vibrant tribal community known for their strong appreciation of beauty and aesthetics. They build charming homes, adorned with intricate hand-painted artwork, and maintain a clean and well-kept environment. Santhal women play a significant role in silk production by collecting silk cocoons from Asan trees and processing them into the fine, gold-toned Tussar silk used in weaving.

Belonging to the Austro-Asiatic language family, the Santhals share distant linguistic ties with the Vietnamese and Khmer people. Their primary settlements are spread across the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Assam. In addition to settled cultivation, the Santhals migrate for work in mines, industries, and as agricultural laborers.

They are also engaged in Tussar silk rearing and carpentry as alternative occupations. Livestock farming is an integral part of their livelihood, with bullocks, goats, pigs, and fowl being raised for both domestic consumption and trade.

Sauora Tribe

Among the country's oldest tribes, the Saora people are mentioned in Hindu mythology and ancient texts like the Puranas. Known for carrying axes on their shoulders, they are fearless forest dwellers and skilled climbers, possessing remarkable endurance for long treks across diverse terrains. Their villages are deeply nestled within forests, making them difficult to access.

The Saoras have a distinct style of dress, with men wearing a loincloth called lanjia, which drapes behind them like a tail. This unique attire has earned them the name Lanjia Saoras. The Saora tribe is widely distributed across Central India, residing in the states of Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.

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