Orissa Tribes Tribes of Orissa form a major portion of the total population of the state. Almost all the districts of Orissa state comprise of some tribal population. However, the districts of Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Naurangpur and Kalahandi in the state of Orissa have a large number of tribal populations. Tribes of Orissa are about seven milling in the state. The total number of tribes living in the state of Orissa is much more than other places in India. All the districts of the state possess a tribal population. Some districts have vast presence of tribal population while some of the other districts of Orissa hold a small number of tribals. Rayagada, Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri and Naurangpur are some of the district of Orissa where more than fifty percent of the total population is tribal. There are very few tribes who are in a better economic condition in this state and are suitable mingled in the society, whereas several other tribes of Orissa spend a totally secluded life. These tribes are thus the most backward with regard to the economic ladder of the state. In Orissa state, different tribes possess different tradition, culture, language and rituals. There are sixty two tribal communities in the state of Orissa and among these tribal communities the name of Saora tribe (or Sabar) is mentioned in the great Hindu epic of Mahabharata. Few more characteristics of the tribal people of Orissa can be enumerated on the basis of the surveys and study. The tribes of Orissa though belong to three linguistic divisions, are namely Dravidian, Indo-Aryan, Austric and Tibeto-Burmese. The tribes of Orissa have the tendency to build their houses with bamboo and thatched roofs. A majority of the Orissa tribes take up occupations to sustain livelihood like gathering, hunting and fishing. Tribal communities residing in the hilly areas of Orissa are adept in shifting cultivation. Some of the tribal people are also engaged in handicraft industries or mills. Among these tribal people, some tribes namely the Gadaba tribe and Bondo tribe possess their own looms and they are engaged in making clothes for regular use. Moreover, tribal people like Loharas and Mohali have mastered the art of creating tool making and basket weaving, some tribal communities namely Oran, Munda, Santhals and Ho have switched to the factories, industrial occupations and works in mines. Though the tribal people of Orissa reside together, their cultural and traditional background is the major factors which distinguishes one tribe from another. One of the most important things in the costumes of the tribal people of Orissa is metal jewelry. Most of the jewelry is made of aluminum and brass. Tattooing is favored among the people of the tribal groups. Women wear long clothes, scarves and jewelry to bedeck them. i239.photobucket/albums/ff222/varunsolanki/Ethnic%20Arts%20India/orissa-tribe1.jpg
Posted on: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 19:54:45 +0000
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