Mirdha

Abstract

Considered to be an endogamous section of Kisan tribe, Mirdha is now a separate Scheduled Tribe in Odisha. Etymologically, the term 'Mirdha' means 'head collie'. Since the people are expert earth workers, they are called 'Koda' or 'Kuda' in Angul, Sambalpur and Bolangir districts. But in Sundergarh district they are known as Mirdha. Numbering about 76, 000 persons as enumerated by Census 2011, they are largely concentrated in Anugul, Sambalpur, Bargarh and Bolangir districts of western Odisha. The Mirdhas identify themselves as 'Kunhar' and speak a Dravidian tongue "Kun Boli", the mother tongue of Kisan. Not only in language but also in their other socio-cultural traits the Mirdhas show a greater similarity with the Kisan. Their traditional occupation is earth digging. They are hired for digging of tanks, ponds, wells, plinth etc. and also for construction works. Besides, they take up agriculture, animal husbandry, seasonal forest collection as their supplementary source of livelihood. Like other tribes they acquire bride for marriage by negotiation, capture, elopement and service. The girls and boys enjoy ample freedom in selecting their mates. Their society permits polygyny, levirate and sorrorate type of marriages. They have the cult of ancestor worship and besides that, they propiate a number of deities of their own. Because of prolonged culture contact with the neighbouring castes, they have adopted many Hindu deities into their pantheon and observing many local and regional Hindu festivals apart from their own. In recent times, due to multifarious development interventions, both by the Government and Non-Government agencies, the Mirdhas are undergoing a phase of transition. But they are struggling hard to retain their time tested values, customs and traditions against the onslaught of modernity. Hopefully, this book will be interesting and useful for the researchers, tourists, academicians, laymen and everyone who are inquisitive to know about our tribal brethren.