Abhijit GS Academy

Important Tribes of Odisha by Abhijit Sir

Odisha-
• There are 62 Scheduled Tribes communities and 93 Scheduled caste
communities in the state.
• The State has the privilege of having highest number [13] of particular
vulnerable tribal groups [ PVTGs]
• Both ST and SC population together constitute 39.98% of the total
population of the state as per census 2011.
• Madhya Pradesh have highest population of STs and Odisha is 3rd .
Particular Vulnerable Tribal Groups [ PVTGs]-
• In India tribal population makes up for 8.6% of the total population.
• PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal .
• In 1937 ,the Dhebar commission created Primitive Tribal Groups as a
separate category.
• In 2006 the Govt. of India renamed the PTGs as PVTGs.
• Total PVTGs in India -75
Demographic Profile of STs in ODISHA -
• Total population of ST in Odisha – 95,90,756
• District with Highest population of ST – Malkangiri [ 57.4%]
• District with Lowest population of ST – Puri [ 0.3 %]
• Article- 366 [25] of the constitution only provides process to define
Scheduled Tribes
• Article – 342[1] – The President may with respect to any state or
Union Territory and where it is a state , after consultation with the
Governor , by a Public notification , specify the tribes or tribal
communities or part of or groups within tribes or tribal communities
as Scheduled Tribes in relation to that state or Union Territory.
The Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution titled
–The Scheduled Areas Order 1977 declares 7
districts of Odisha as Odisha as fully and 6 district
partly covered under scheduled areas of the state
• 1- These are Mayurbhanj, Koraput , Malkangiri, Sundargarh,
Nabarangpur, Rayagada , Kandhamal.
• 2-Kondha or kandha is the largest tribe of the state in terms of
population.
Kondhs -
• The Kondhs are the largest tribal group in Odisha .
• Malua Kondhs are majority among
the Kondh Sub- Groups.
Dongria Kondhs lived in the steep slopes of the Niyamagiri Range , of
the North – west Koraput [ Undivided] district and in Kalahandi district.
The Kondhs speak kui language as their mother tongue
Bhumias-
• This tribe is found in Koraput , Malkangiri, Kandhamal , Ganjam and
Sundargarh district of Odisha .
• This tribes occupies the Second Position In population .
• the Bhumij are believed to be a break away group of the Munda tribe.
• The term Bhumij denotes one who is born from the soil.
• In India they are found in Jharkhand, West Bengal , Odisha , Assam,
Bihar etc.
• The head of the village is called Mukhia .
Sauras -
• Mentioned in Hindu myths and classics , notably the Purans.
• Saura men are expert climbers and hunters.
• Saura are mainly concentrated in and around the Palalakhemundi and
Gunupur area of South Odisha .
• They are called by various names such as Sabara, Saura , Sora etc.
• The Sauras speak the Munda Language .
• Painting of Sauras i.e. Sauras paintings are world famous . Their
panitings are called ikon.
Gonds-
• This tribe is spread all over the hill tracts of central and South
India,Kalahandi and Koraput district in Odisha .
• The name Gond is derived from Telugu word Konda which means hill.
• Agriculture , collecting minor forest produce , forging metal goods in
cottage industries , fishing , hunting and the other primary sector
activities are the main activities of Gonds .
• Marriages are preferred within blood relations mostly according to
Hindu rites and customs.
Bondas-
• They live in the wild and isolated mountainous region in the North –
west of Machkund river .
• It is fiercely independent , aggressive tribe.
• Bondas are the oldest tribal group in Maalkangiri district.
• It is one of the largest tribal group in the world.
• They mostly live in Madhya Pradesh , Chhatisgarh , Gujarat, UP , West
Bengal and Odisha .
• Out of many other festivals Sume- Gelirak is an important festival for
Bonds Koraput.
Koyas-
• This tribe inhabited the hills in the north of the Godavari district and are
also found in Malkangiri district.
• They speak language koya of the Dravidian language family .
• They live in low thatched houses , the head of the koya village is called
peda .
• Few villages constitutes a Mutha or Panchayat and the head of the Mutha
was called Muthadar.
• They cultivate tabacco leaf , mandia , maize and Bhatta paddy. Mahula and
Salapa are their ideal drink .
• The main festival of koyas is Bijapandu festival celebrated in the month of
Chaitra .
Maitas-
• This tribe live in Denkanal , Malkangiri , Balangir and Kalahandi
districts of Odisha .
• They Cultivate maize , tobacco leaf and vegetables .
Dharuas-
• This tribe is found in the block of Korukonda of Malkangiri district.
• Dharus are also called as Dhaurua.
• This tribe speak Dharuas language known as Parji.
Santhals-
• The great fighters during British regime in India and also most fun
loving ones are the people of the third largest tribe of India .
• Music and dance are activities which are loved the mostly by Santhals
.
• Mainly found in the districts of Mayurbhanj , Keonjhar and Balasore .
• Besides they are also found in the neighbouring states like Jharkhand ,
west Bengal , Bihar and Assam
Gadava-
• Said to be the oldest and ancient tribe in Odisha that traces history
from Ramayan era is Gadava.
• It is also the most colourful tribe that sustain their livelihood through
agriculture , hunting and fishing.
• Major Tribes of Koraput district Gadabas belong to the Munda group
of tribes.
13 PVTGs in Odisha -
• 1- Birhor
• 2- Bondo
• 3- Chukti Bhunjia
• 4- Didayi
• 5- Juang
• 6- Dongria Khond
• 7- Kutia Khond
• 8-Lodha
• 9-Mankidia
• 10-Paudi Bhuyan
• 11-Saora
• 12- Kharia
• 13- Lanjia Bhuyan