The Koya

Abstract

Being the abode of as many as sixty-two small and large tribal communities, the State of Odisha occupies a significant place in the ethnographic map of India. Each tribe with its distinctive cultural tradition and life-style contributes substantially to the rich cultural heritage of the State. The tribes of Odisha are now at different stages of socio-cultural integration and socio-economic development, because of the massive developmental measures undertaken by Government. The tribal areas are no longer as inaccessible as they were in the past and the tribal people are more and more coming in contact with their neighbouring communities. The present publication, which is the fifth one in the popular series on tribes is on the Koya tribe. Koya is a numerically small immunity, who lives in the border areas of Malkangiridistrict adjoining Andhra Pradesh. Like elsewhere, here the tribal life and culture are undergoing rapid transformation over the years, particularly during the post-independence period under the impact of modernization. Therefore, the main objective behind such publication is to document their traditional society and culture which is richly endowed with colourful dance, music, folklore, art and craft, etc. with a focus on their developmental perspective. While preparing this booklet sufficient care has been taken to present the facts in a simple and lucid manner so that this would generate ideas among the general readers who are interested in knowing about the tribal life and culture in general.