Munda

Abstract

This Photo Handbook is an illustrative account of the Munda tribe of Odisha with focus on their social, cultural, economic, religious and political reality. It is no doubt a sociological study of the tribe reflecting on the various facets of their existence and evolution. Their love for nature and natural surroundings, habitat and housing, community-based life and living, rites and rituals, religious faith, functions and festivals- all find general mention in this booklet. It can be termed as an intellectual effort backed by hard earned knowledge, wide study and documentation. It will no doubt provide an overall impression on Munda tribe of Odisha. Munda as a tribe is a classic representative of the great Kolarian race. They are dispersed in different districts of Odisha like Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj etc. having sub-sections like SanthaliMunda, NagpuriaMunda, KolhaniMunda and TamadiaMunda. They are also known as Horo-Hon or Mura, meaning the 'head man' of a village. They consider themselves as the descendants of Singh Bonga, the Supreme Sun God. Mundari is their mother tongue which belongs to the Austro-Asiatic language family. Now the Munda educated youths have become quite aware of their democratic rights, duties and responsibilities. They have accepted the Government's development initiatives rather positively. It is also true that their customary laws and traditional councils are still functional enough to resolve their customary disputes administering justice in time. This graphic documentation on the life style of Munda tribe is one among the "Series on Tribes of Odisha" published by SCSTRTI, Hopefully, this book would be of enormous help as a ready reference for the tribal lovers and the tribal researchers alike.