Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Maa Varahi Temple of Chaurasi: Obscure and Beautiful

    March 6, 2022

    Kalinga War: The Victory of Amity over Violence

    March 6, 2022

    The Battle of Tukaroi: The End of The Bengal Sulanate

    March 6, 2022
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Vimeo
    OdishaLifeStyle
    Subscribe Login
    • Home
    • Locations
      • Hidden Places
    • Culture
      1. Arts and Crafts
      2. Literature
      3. View All

      Pipili: Odisha’s Manual Of Applique Work

      February 8, 2022

      Terracotta and Odisha: Bonding Over Ages

      February 8, 2022

      Stone And Wood Carvings: A Tale Of Inseparable Beauty

      February 8, 2022

      Dhokra And Brassware: The Tribal Souvenirs Of Odisha

      February 8, 2022

      Mukteshwar Temple: Small and yet Significant

      February 8, 2022

      Odia Literature: From The Beginning to Now

      February 8, 2022

      Bande Utkala Janani: From Freedom Movement to State Anthem

      February 8, 2022

      Manoj Das : An Epitome of Odia Literature

      February 8, 2022

      Durga Puja : A Festival of Fervour

      February 9, 2022

      Utkal Divas: The Glorious Day for a United Odisha

      February 9, 2022

      Gotipua Dance: A Mirror to Ethos of Hindu Culture

      February 9, 2022

      Odissi : The Dance That Describes Odisha

      February 9, 2022
    • Events
      • Disaster
    • Editorial
      • Health
    • Food & Drink
    • Personalities
    • Stories
      • Modern History
    • Announcements
    OdishaLifeStyle
    Home»Editorial»Tribes of Odisha: A Prominent Human Resource
    Editorial

    Tribes of Odisha: A Prominent Human Resource

    Dinabandhu NayakBy Dinabandhu NayakFebruary 10, 2022Updated:February 10, 2022No Comments6 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp VKontakte Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The tribal people or a tribe is a group of social humans living particularly in forests and non commutable areas. The tribal people are perceived by the population to be primitive and the term may have negative connotations. Just like we have a state, a nation or a kinship which where we live and we call it a society, similarly tribes are also a group of people forming Society. The tribal people or the tribes of Odisha thus form a impactful society of human habitation.

    In some places, such as India and North America, tribes are polities that have been granted legal recognition and limited autonomy by the national or federal government.

    Different Aspects Tribes of Odisha

    In the state of Odisha, a total 62 kind of tribes are found. The most prominent tribal people being The Kandhas, The Kolhas, The Bondas, The Sauras, The Santal, The Ho People and The Kisans. These tribes live in forests and hilly areas. Their population forms 22.5 % of the State’s total population and 9.7 % of the Nation’s population. 

    Tribal people in Odisha are called adivasi. Adivasi is an umbrella term for a heterogeneous set of ethnic and tribal groups considered the aboriginal population of India. Also they are known as Vanabasi (Forest dwellers)  and Girijana (Hill dwellers).  The tribes of Odisha live in such places which are hardly commutable by the modern people. Over time, unlike the terms “aborigines” or “tribes”, the word “adivasi” has developed a connotation of past autonomy which was disrupted during the British colonial period in India and has not been restored. They generally live outside the mainstream of Indian Hindu and Muslim society. So the people of Odisha hardly get to know about them.

    The tribes in Odisha form a major part of Odisha. These tribal people are hunters and gathers, living in forests and caves or even in hills. They earn their living by agriculture, hunting and collecting forest goods. Over time, the tribes of Odisha are being attracted towards the outside world. They are being socialized. They are being civilized. All the festivals, fairs are also being celebrated by them today. To cope up with the modern age human beings, they are also involving in education. Some Adivasi Schools are found open in the Tribe areas. 

    Some Prominent Tribes of Odisha

    The Kandha Tribes

    They are known as Kondha or Kandha. The Kandhas are found in highest numbers and across many parts of Odisha. The Kandhas mainly live in the Kandhamal and adjoining districts like Rayagada, Korpaut, Balangir and Boudh. 

    The Kandha people of Odisha worship hills, nature, and streams. They offer vegetables and animals to Dharani Maa (the earth). The people of Kandha Tribe know extensively about the mountains, trees, forest, and plants.

    The Santal Tribes

    The number of Santals is over 5 Lakhs in Odisha. They are prominently found in the Mayurbhanj district. The great fighters during British regime in India and also most fun-loving ones are the people of the third largest tribe of India – Santhal. Music and dance are activities which are loved the most by Santhals. They form groups and dance during any festival on their own tribal music. 

    The Ho Tribes

    The Ho people are a kind of tribe. They constitute a population more than 100,000 and live primitively in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Jajpur, Balasore districts. 

    The Saura Tribes

    The Saura tribe is another main tribe of Odisha with a population over 300,000. They are found mainly in the undivided Ganjam and Puri district. 

    The Sauras is an ancient tribes. They are even mentioned in famous Indian epics like Mahabharat and Ramayan. Shabari (From the Saura tribe)  once fed Ramachandra with remains of berries that she ate. This depicts the importance of the Saura tribes. The tribe has a unique shamanic culture and its people are the great craftsman of Saura paintings.

    The Bonda Tribes

    The Bonda have a population of about 5,000. Mostly found in Malkangiri district which was formerly part of undivided Koraput, the Bonda tribes constitute a revolutionary portion of the tribes. According to sources, The Bondas are now accelerating with civilization. Many of them are taking education and The Bonda community is developing towards urbanization. The Bonda people were previously known as “Naked People”, but now they are turning themselves towards the modern society and are being able to be  civilized. The Bondas are also celebrating Odia Festivals and Traditions. 

    The quaint hills in Malkangiri district Odisha are the living places for the people of Bonda tribe. The unique culture, enthralling customs, and typical attire make Bonda the most popular tribal community in the state.

    The Parajas

    The Paraja tribes are the devotees of numerous gods and goddess. The Parajas reside in the forests and hills. The people of this beautiful community have a different passion and love for music and dance and are mainly agriculturists.

    The Kisans

    The Kisans  are found in Sundergarh, Sambalpur and Keonjhar. They speak the Kisan dialect along with Odia, Hindi and English. In a major portion, The Kisans are all farmers. They cultivate lands and grow corps. They also involve themselves in enjoyment by music and dance. They observe festivals and fairs. 

    The Bhumias

    The Bhumia tribes are rich in culture and tradition. They are counted as the most celebrated tribes of Odisha. Their marriage trends are unique and different. Peculiar rituals followed during the weddings and worshipping are the important things to know about the Bhumia tribes.

    The Gonds

    The brave hearted, the warrior blooded, Gonds is a tribe where most of the people acquire war skills. They prominently live in the hills of Koraput, Balangir, Sundergarh, Kalahandi, and Sambalpur. They are usually hard working. They belong to the hunters and gatherer groups. Not just India’s but Gond is one of the largest tribes in South Asia.

    The Oraons

    The Oraons are the most progressive and developed tribes amongst all tribes of Odisha.  Oraons have great skills in tea plantation and had recorded high tea production. Now a days, most of the Oraon people have shifted to Indian metro cities. They have become urbanized and civilized. 

    The tribes of Odisha form a major human wealth as these people are also contributing for the development of the state and the nation as well. 

    Bhumia Bonda Gond Kandha Kisan Odisha Oroan Paraja Santhal Saura Tribal
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
    Previous ArticleThe Rich History of Buddhism in Odisha
    Next Article Minerals of Odisha & Their Economic Pathway
    Dinabandhu Nayak

    Related Posts

    Kalinga War: The Victory of Amity over Violence

    March 6, 2022

    The Battle of Tukaroi: The End of The Bengal Sulanate

    March 6, 2022

    Manabasa Gurubar: Odisha seeks for Sukh, Shanti and Aishwarya

    March 5, 2022

    Prathamsatami: A Celebration of First Child’s Second Birthday

    March 5, 2022

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Our Picks
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Vimeo
    Don't Miss

    Maa Varahi Temple of Chaurasi: Obscure and Beautiful

    By OdishaLifeStyleMarch 6, 20220

    In Chaurasi, Odisha, there is a temple called Varahi Deula which is an ancient Hindu…

    Kalinga War: The Victory of Amity over Violence

    March 6, 2022

    The Battle of Tukaroi: The End of The Bengal Sulanate

    March 6, 2022

    Manabasa Gurubar: Odisha seeks for Sukh, Shanti and Aishwarya

    March 5, 2022

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from SmartMag about art & design.

    About Us
    About Us

    Your source for the lifestyle news. This demo is crafted specifically to exhibit the use of the theme as a lifestyle site. Visit our main page for more demos.

    We're accepting new partnerships right now.

    Email Us: [email protected]
    Contact: +91-94399-xxxxx

    Our Picks
    New Comments
      Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
      • Home
      • Editorial
      • Stories
      • Culture
      © 2022 OdishaLifeStyle. Powered partner OdishaShop.

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

      Sign In or Register

      Welcome Back!

      Login to your account below.

      Lost password?