Tribes Odisha: The tribals are said to be original inhabitants of India. The term “Scheduled Tribes” officially known as “tribals” or “adivasi” refers to specific indigenous peoples that constitute around 24% of the total population.
Tribes of Odisha comprise a great diversity with unique and vibrant socio-cultural life. The total number of tribes living in the state of Odisha is much more than other places in India.
Out of total 62 tribal communities only 8 Scheduled Tribes are declared as Primitive Tribal Groups by the Government of India. Those tribes are Juang, Bonda Poraja, Lodha, Didayi, Mankidia, Birhor, Kharia and Soura.
Kondha Tribe
The Kondha is the largest tribe of the state having a population of about one million. They are living mainly in the Kandhamal and the districts of Koraput (undivided), Balangir and Boudh. One sub-group of kondhas is the Dongria Kondhas. They inhabit the plateaus of Niyamgiri hill ranges which cover parts of Rayagada and Koraput and Kalahandi districts. The Kondhas are believed to be from the Proto-Australoid ethnic group. Their native language is Kui, a Dravidian language.
Saura Tribe
The Saura, are a tribe from Southern Odisha are found mainly in the undivided Ganjam and specific pockets of Koraput district. They are known by various names such as “Savara”, “Sabara”, “Sora” and “Soura”.
Bonda Tribe
The Bonda or Bondo are an ancient tribe numbering approximately 5000, which live in the isolated hill regions of the Malkangiri district. An interesting feature of the Bonda marriage is that Bonda girls prefer to marry younger boys. So they may have someone to earn for them in their old age.
Juang Tribe
The Juang, a jungle tribe of Odisha is found in only two of the tributary states, Dhenkanal and Keonjhar. They are estimated about 10,000. Their language belongs to the Munda family.
Gadaba Tribe
The Gadaba are a primitive tribe classified as Mundari. They are one of the early settlers of this country and trace their origin to the time of Ramayana. They speak a mundari dialect, called Gadaba. The Gadabas are a tribe of agriculturists primarily.
