Orissa Map
Among the beautiful regions in East India, the state of Orissa has a unique charm of its own. The nestling shores, interesting wild life, revered temples, sandy beaches and the blend of primitive and modern life style makes Orissa even more interesting.
The most fascinating feature about the state that remains unrevealed and unexplored to most of the visitors is the tribal life in Orissa, which is a world in itself. Over 62 tribes dot the state of Orissa. The state witnesses the blend of primitive and the modern lifestyle, in the hilly landscape of the Eastern Ghats and the Indo-Aryan coast respectively. It is the coming together of two distinct civilizations with contrasting culture and lifestyle.
A major part of Orissa’s population is constituted by the tribes in Orissa, which comes to about 23 percent of the total population of the sate. Districts such as Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Naurangpur, Malkangiri, etc are home to many tribal communities. While some of the tribal communities in Orissa spent a secluded life, some others have been able to get mingled within the society.
The different tribes in Orissa possess varied culture, language, tradition and rituals. These tribes can be categorized into 3 linguistic divisions namely the Indo-Aryan, the Dravidians and the Austric and Tibeto Burmese. The tribes in Orissa are engaed in various kinds of occupation for their livelihood, such as hunting, gathering and fishing. Those dwelling in the hilly regions of Orissa are involved in shifting cultivation while some are into mills and industries. Tribes like the Bondo and the Gadaba have their looms and are involved in making clothes. Loharas and Mohali are engaged in basket weaving and tool making. Tribes such as Munda, Oran, Ho and the Santhals have switched to mines, industries and factories. That which distinguishes one tribal community from the other is their traditional and cultural background.
Like the other communities, Orissa’s tribal communities strongly believe in the institution of marriage. The most common practice prevalent among the tribes to acquire the brides is through capture, while some other modes are elopement, purchase, service or negotiation.
Religion forms an integral part of the lives of the tribal people in Orissa. Some of the widely practiced religions are animalism, animism, fetishism, nature-worship, anthropomorphism, ancestral worship and shamanism. The tribal communities engage in the joy and merry of various festivals like birth ceremony, marriage, harvesting, sowing, tribal songs and dancing. The popular festivals, celebrated by the tribes are Chaita Parab, Push Parab etc.
Among the major tribal communities in Orissa, one is Bonda Poraja tribe that practices elopement during marriages. Bhunjia tribe is little conservative in their though process and believes in worshipping deities. Bonda Poraja is an ancient tribal community with huge population while Bagata tribe is a native tribal community conversing in Adivasi Oriya language. Dal tribe believes in Hinduism and also practices those rituals as practiced by the Hindus. The other tribes are Chenchu, Dharua, Holva tribe resding in the districts of Puri and Kalahandi, Jatapu tribe, Kolis, Paroja, Parenga, Saora, Sitha, Tadvi, Sounti, Sabar and many more.
Major Tribes in Orissa and their Areas at a Glance
- Kondh: Kondhamal, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Koraput, Bolangir, Ganjam and Sundergarh
- Bhuiji: Sundergarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Pallahara
- Gond: Bolangir, Koraput, Sambalpur, Kalahandi and Sundergarh
- Santal: Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar
- Saura: Ganjam, Koraput, and Bolangir
- Gadaba: Nowrangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri
- Koya: Koraput and Malkangiri
- Paraja: Kalahandi, Koraput and Sundergarh
- Oraon: Sundergarh, Gunupur, Sambalpur, and Bonai
- Bonda: Koraput and Malkangiri
- Juang: Keonjha & Dhenkanal
The way the tribal people in Orissa lead their life, it teaches us how we can live to the fullest with very little. Although these tribal people lack the very basic needs of life, yet their lives feel complete. Truly the tribal life in Orissa is a world in itself.
