Hill Kharia

Abstract

In the remote wilderness of Similipal National Park and its periphery one finds small groups of semi nomadic people living who are expert in collection of honey, resin and arrowroot. These tribesmen are primarily a forager community. They feel proud of identifying themselves as the decedents of the legendary ViswavasuShabar, the first worshipper of Lord Jagannath. The Hill Khariais a section of the Kharia tribe. They have been identified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Odisha. A Micro Project named "Hill-Kharia and Mankirdia Development Agency" with headquarters at Jashipur in Mayurbhanj district is working for bringing about their all-round development since 1987. The community has shown a good response to their development programmes and changes are visible in their life style. Yet there are many other wandering bands left to be covered. There are many aspects of this tribal community which are worth knowing. The ladies of old generation decorate their body with tattoo marks, especially on their forehead, eye corners, both hands and legs. The Hill Khariawear simple dress and ornaments. Their women adorn themselves with various types of ornaments, which include brass necklace, armlet, ear ring finger ring and hair pin made of white metal or aluminum and glass bangles, Some young boys also use neck lace made of beads. Women use ribbons for adorning their hair. The SCSTRTI has made a great attempt for photographic documentation of the tradition and change in the life style of all the 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group including the Hill Kharia which will be useful for students, academicians, inquisitive tourists, laymen and development functionaries.