Tribes Of Orissa

Abstract

In Odisha, as many as 62 communities have been enlisted as Scheduled Tribes in with the provisions of Article-242 of constitution of India. In the ethnographic map of India, Odisha occupies a unique position for not only having highest verities of Tribal communities as compared to other States and Union Territories but also for having large tribal concentration next to M.P. and Maharastra. In Odisha, the tribal communities are found in almost all the districts in varying concentration. Among the tribes some such as Kondh, Gond, Saora, Santal etc. are numerically very large and widely distributed and few others like Bondo, Chenchu, Lodha, Mankirdia etc being small in number are found concentrated in certain pockets.Each tribe represents a culture of its own. Their cultural identity and distinctiveness in manifested in their language, social organization, and rituals festivals and also in their dress, ornamentation, art and craft. However, they share in common their dependence on nature for their survival. During the year 1990, a book on Tribes of Odisha containing short ethnographic accounts of different tribal communities of Odisha was published. The main objective behind such publication was to acquaint the development administrators with the tribal traditions, customs and to enable them prepare and implement tribal culture friendly development programmes. Besides, this publication was also served as ready reference for the Researchers, Social Scientists for pursuing their research pursuits. At present, the said book has been sold out. Considering its utility and demand it was thought to reprint the book after revising and updating with the latest Census data. It is hoped that the present publication on Tribes of Odisha will be immense help to the development administrators, Research Scholars, Social Scientists and above all to the general public interest in knowing the tribal life and culture.