Tribal Culture of Odisha

Despite belonging to different linguistic divisions, the tribes of Odisha (Orissa) have many socio-cultural similarities, and together they characterize the notion of tribalism. Tribal societies share certain common characteristics and by these, they are distinguished from complex or advanced societies. In India, tribal societies have remained outside the main historical current of the civilization for centuries. Therefore, they manifest cultural features signifying a primitive level of socio-cultural existence. Considering the general features of their eco-system, traditional economy, supernatural beliefs and practices, and recent impacts of modernization, the tribes of Odisha (Orissa) can be classified into six types: hunting, collecting and gathering type, cattle-herder type, simple artisan type, hill and shifting cultivation type, settled agriculture type, and industrial urban worker type. Each type has a distinct style of life which can be best understood in the paradigm of nature, man and spirit complex, that is, on the basis of relationship with nature, fellow men and the supernatural.

As you journey through plain land or the beautiful mountains and forest ghatroads you’ll come across villages of very ornamental, colorful tribal groups. You can visit typical Orissan villages as well as semi-Tribal villages through the beautiful countryside forest. At Rayagada, you can stay and see the Kutia Kandha tribe or go on to Chatikona to witness the interesting and colorful weekly market of the tribes. Then drive to Jeypore and visit some tribal villages en route and then proceed to witness the most primitive ‘Bonda’ market.