Juang

Abstract

This book is mainly a visual portrayal of the Juang tribe of Odisha. It reveals an ancient tribal culture under change with kaleidoscopic depiction of the Juangs habitat, economic life, social organization, religion, political council, lifecycle, development and change. The Juangs are basically very simple, sober and culturally vibrant tribal people. They are quite free, frank and behave very politely. The Juangs believe in broad kinship range and community life. They enjoy the life in group and share each other s sorrows and sufferings. There are still problems of education, health and economy. Formerly, the Juangs were having their own traditional council of village elders, which decided the affairs of the communities but the introduction of three-tier Panchayatiraj system has adversely affected their customary law. No clear picture of Juangs economy can be conceived without a visit to the local weekly market as it forms an integral part of their economic, social and cultural life. Government has made special provisions for their socio-economic development. It has endeavoured to develop them through multiple ways. But the strategies of development can achieve the goal provided due emphasis is given to their local self-governing institution, keeping with genius of the people in their native wisdom. The forest, land, agriculture and education are top most priority. Juang have been identified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) of Odisha. One Micro Project named the Juang Development Agency (JDA) having its headquarters at Gonasika, has been functioning with the sole objective of bringing down all-round socio-economic development of the Juangs. Now, population is growing denser and villages are becoming large. The ever growing Juang population cannot sustain for long on the primitive plough and axe cultivation. Agriculture deservesthe supreme priority for sustainable development of the Juangs. During the process of development and change they have forgotten the important social values of their heritage adopting Hindu value system and other traits directly proportional to their functional utility. It is hoped that this book will be useful to tribal lovers.