|
Orissa Tribes
Of all the states of India, Orissa has the largest
number of tribes, as many as 62 that constitute an
impressive 24 percent of the total population of the
state. These tribes mainly inhabit the Eastern Ghats
hill range that runs in the north-south direction. More
than half of their population is concentrated in the
three districts of Koraput (undivided), Sundergarh and
Mayurbhanj.
Subsistence oriented economy of the tribes here is based on
food gathering, hunting and fishing, thus, revolving
around forests. Even the large tribes like Santal, Munda,
Oram and Gond, settled agriculturists, often supplement
their economy with hunting and gathering. While farming,
they make use of a very simple technology and a simple
division of labor often limited to the immediate family.
But they lose out because their holdings are small and
unproductive, lacking irrigation facility due to a hilly
and undulating terrain.
Many tribes like Juanga, Bhuiyan, Saora, Dharua and Bonda
practice shifting cultivation or Podu Chasa, also known
as slash and burn. They select a plot of land on a
mountain slope, slash down all the trees and bushes and
burn them to ashes. Spreading the ashes evenly over the
land, they wait for the rains before planting their
crops. Due to cultivation for two or three seasons on
one plot of land the soil gets depleted and the tribes
move on. It is a way of life for them.
Koya is the tribe of cattle-breeders. There are simple
artisans too like the Mohali and Loharas, who practice
crafts of basket weaving and tool making. A sizeable
part of the tribal population of Orissa notably the
Santals, Munda, Oran and Ho has moved to the mining and
industrial belts of the state, thus, easing out the
pressures on small holdings.
Even if the tribal economy is shaky, tribal
culture, in its pristine state, is rich and distinctive
and the Adivasis work hard to preserve it. A tribal
village manages its internal affairs very smoothly
through two institutions -- the village council of
elders and the youth dormitory.
The core of tribal culture, the youth dormitory, is the
largest hut in the village. It has only three walls,
profusely decorated with symbols representing animals.
The fourth side is open. By night dormitory is home to
the youth of the village. But before and after a hard
day's work, people gather here to chat and relax. The
council of elders meets here too to discuss matters
relating to the welfare of the village.
The open space in font of the dormitory is where youths
and maidens dance with abandon every evening, for tribal
culture allows free mixing of the two sexes. Despite
their poverty, the tribes of Orissa have retained their
rich and colorful heritage of dance and music. Every
tribal can sing and dance to the sound of pipe and drum,
and give tune to impromptu compositions that come to
him/her as naturally as breathing.
The tribal people of Orissa observe a string of
festivals. Some are closed affairs, relating to a birth
or death within the family or a daughter attaining
puberty. Others relate to sowing or harvest time and
involve the entire community. Mostly a festival is an
occasion for good Mahua liquor; a game roasted on the
sprit and a night of song and dance is revelry.
But that is not the end, there is an animal sacrifice
too, for the deities and sprits must be appeased first,
particularly the malevolent ones, so they don't unleash
drought or sickness on the land. Tribal people are
superstitious. 'Ojha' occupies a position of honor since
he not only prescribes medicines for the sick but is
also believed to exorcise evil sprits. |
