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The beautiful state of Odisha houses sixty-two tribal communities
with the total tribal population of approximately 7 million. In
order words all the tribes of Odisha comprises of almost twenty two
percent of the total population of the state. This has been
enumerated by the census report of India in the year 1991. Few more
characteristics can be enumerated on the basis of the study and
surveys. The tribes of Odisha though belong to 3 linguistic
divisions, namely, Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Tibeto-Burmese and Austric.
In spite of incorporating certain unique aspects of culture and
tradition, there is a line of similarities exist between all the
tribes of Odisha and its tribal ethnicity. The tribes of Odisha have
the tendency to build their houses with bamboo and thatched roofs.
Most of the tribes of Odisha take up occupations to sustain
livelihood, mainly adapt to occupations like gathering, hunting and
fishing. Those tribes of Odisha who reside in the hilly areas have
practiced the shifting cultivation. Just like any other tribal
community, these tribes of Odisha also regard marriage as an
important institution. Several rites and rituals that are associated
with it are feted with lots of joy and fervency. The usual practice
is to acquire bride through `capture`. However. The tribes of Odisha
execute other modes of acquisition like elopement, purchase, service
and negotiation are also there. Over the years however, marriages
are being fixed through negotiation between both the families of
bride and groom and is also getting popular day by day. Payment of
bride price is an integral part of tribal marriage.
The tribes of Odisha are very much religious minded, widely
practicing religion like animism, animalism, nature-worship,
fetishism, shamanism, and anthropomorphism. Worship of ancestor too
is in vogue among the tribes of Odisha. These tribes of Odisha carry
on theses religious practices in order to ensure personal security
and happiness. Well being of the whole of the community and also
solidarity of the group are duly respected.
The main tribes of Odisha are enlisted below:
Bhumia- This tribe of Odisha has the
tradition of following the practice of elopement at times of
marriage.
Bhunjia- Conservative tribal community
of Bhunjia follows the rules of females and also worships the
deities in great enthusiasm.
Bondo Poraja- This tribe of Odisha is
ancient one with a population of about 5 thousand.
Bagata- The tribal community is
considered to be one of the native tribes, conversing with each
other in Adivasi Oriya language.
Chenchu- This tribe resides in a
special village, known as Penta, clubbed together on kinship basis.
Dal- These tribes of the Odisha state
follow the religion of Hinduism, also practicing rites and rituals
of the same religion.
Dharua- These Dharua tribes live
specially in the Malkangiri district, chiefly talking with each
other in Dharua language.
Holva - Several districts of Odisha,
namely Puri, Kalahandi etc are hubs of several Holva tribal
communities, which is also popular as Kotia.
Jatapu-This tribal community speaks in
their own Jatapu language and also in the Oriya language.
Juang- Bnadhu and kotumba are the two
distinctive totemic clans of this tribal community.
Koli- This tribal community has been
divided into distinctive tribal groups, namely, Sea koli, Hill Koli
etc.
Parenga- Shifting cultivation is the
main occupation of these tribal communities.
Paroja- This Paroja tribal community
reveres hundreds of totemic septs and also preserves them with their
own life.
Saora- Saora amidst their rich heritage
ennobles the ethnicity of Odisha.
Sabar-This tribal community is one of
the primitive tribes of the Indian subcontinent, also known to many
as Kariya.
Sitha Khanda - These tribes follow
Christian religion most fervently.
Sounti
-This tribe is one of the main tribes that reside in the Keonjhar
district of Odisha.
Tadvi -
The literal meaning of Tadvi is `one who taps the palm tree
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