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TRIBES OF ODISHA

TRIBES OF ODISHA

TRIBES OF ODISHA

Saora

Region: The community is settled in Parlakemundi, Gajapati district and Gunupur, Rayagada district besides Baragarh and Bolangir.

Population*: 5,553

Language: Saora

Map: Click Here

Origin: The Saora are one of the oldest tribes of Odisha and find mention in Hindu mythology. The term Saora may have been derived from the Scythian word; Sagories meaning axe or from the Sanskrit term; Saba roya meaning to carry a dead body. The tribesmen are known to carry an axe over their shoulder and were originally hunter-gatherers.

Settlement: Soara villages are located hidden within forest-clad hills and are highly inaccessible. Houses are scattered and megaliths erected to commemorate dead kin are located close by. Village guardian deities like Kitungsum are installed at the entrance of the settlement.

Culture and Crafts: The magico-religious practices of the tribe are elaborate and complex, often revolving around the activities of shifting cultivation and the appeasement of various deities. The idital, ceremonial paintings done in honor of various deities are the main feature of their religion. The art form is now being used to produce paintings on paper and canvas for commercial sale.

Occupation: Though Saoras also practice shifting cultivation, they excel in terraced cultivation and water management. Hoes and other primitive implements are used to till the land and horticulture especially the cultivation of cashew has recently been taken up by many in the community. Several of their rituals are related to the terraced cultivation and other occupations like pottery, basketry and gathering of forest produce are supplementary in nature.

*Scheduled Tribes Population as per Census 2011 data.
 PVTGs Population as per Micro Project Survey Data, 2010

Saora

Region: The community is settled in Parlakemundi, Gajapati district and Gunupur, Rayagada district besides Baragarh and Bolangir.

Population*: 5,553

Language: Saora

Map: Click Here

Origin: The Saora are one of the oldest tribes of Odisha and find mention in Hindu mythology. The term Saora may have been derived from the Scythian word; Sagories meaning axe or from the Sanskrit term; Saba roya meaning to carry a dead body. The tribesmen are known to carry an axe over their shoulder and were originally hunter-gatherers.

Settlement: Soara villages are located hidden within forest-clad hills and are highly inaccessible. Houses are scattered and megaliths erected to commemorate dead kin are located close by. Village guardian deities like Kitungsum are installed at the entrance of the settlement.

Culture and Crafts: The magico-religious practices of the tribe are elaborate and complex, often revolving around the activities of shifting cultivation and the appeasement of various deities. The idital, ceremonial paintings done in honor of various deities are the main feature of their religion. The art form is now being used to produce paintings on paper and canvas for commercial sale.

Occupation: Though Saoras also practice shifting cultivation, they excel in terraced cultivation and water management. Hoes and other primitive implements are used to till the land and horticulture especially the cultivation of cashew has recently been taken up by many in the community. Several of their rituals are related to the terraced cultivation and other occupations like pottery, basketry and gathering of forest produce are supplementary in nature.

*Scheduled Tribes Population as per Census 2011 data.
 PVTGs Population as per Micro Project Survey Data, 2010

Saora

Region: The community is settled in Parlakemundi, Gajapati district and Gunupur, Rayagada district besides Baragarh and Bolangir.

Population*: 5,553

Language: Saora

Map: Click Here

Origin: The Saora are one of the oldest tribes of Odisha and find mention in Hindu mythology. The term Saora may have been derived from the Scythian word; Sagories meaning axe or from the Sanskrit term; Saba roya meaning to carry a dead body. The tribesmen are known to carry an axe over their shoulder and were originally hunter-gatherers.

Settlement: Soara villages are located hidden within forest-clad hills and are highly inaccessible. Houses are scattered and megaliths erected to commemorate dead kin are located close by. Village guardian deities like Kitungsum are installed at the entrance of the settlement.

Culture and Crafts: The magico-religious practices of the tribe are elaborate and complex, often revolving around the activities of shifting cultivation and the appeasement of various deities. The idital, ceremonial paintings done in honor of various deities are the main feature of their religion. The art form is now being used to produce paintings on paper and canvas for commercial sale.

Occupation: Though Saoras also practice shifting cultivation, they excel in terraced cultivation and water management. Hoes and other primitive implements are used to till the land and horticulture especially the cultivation of cashew has recently been taken up by many in the community. Several of their rituals are related to the terraced cultivation and other occupations like pottery, basketry and gathering of forest produce are supplementary in nature.

*Scheduled Tribes Population as per Census 2011 data.
 PVTGs Population as per Micro Project Survey Data, 2010

Saora

Region: The community is settled in Parlakemundi, Gajapati district and Gunupur, Rayagada district besides Baragarh and Bolangir.

Population*: 5,553

Language: Saora

Map: Click Here

Origin: The Saora are one of the oldest tribes of Odisha and find mention in Hindu mythology. The term Saora may have been derived from the Scythian word; Sagories meaning axe or from the Sanskrit term; Saba roya meaning to carry a dead body. The tribesmen are known to carry an axe over their shoulder and were originally hunter-gatherers.

Settlement: Soara villages are located hidden within forest-clad hills and are highly inaccessible. Houses are scattered and megaliths erected to commemorate dead kin are located close by. Village guardian deities like Kitungsum are installed at the entrance of the settlement.

Culture and Crafts: The magico-religious practices of the tribe are elaborate and complex, often revolving around the activities of shifting cultivation and the appeasement of various deities. The idital, ceremonial paintings done in honor of various deities are the main feature of their religion. The art form is now being used to produce paintings on paper and canvas for commercial sale.

Occupation: Though Saoras also practice shifting cultivation, they excel in terraced cultivation and water management. Hoes and other primitive implements are used to till the land and horticulture especially the cultivation of cashew has recently been taken up by many in the community. Several of their rituals are related to the terraced cultivation and other occupations like pottery, basketry and gathering of forest produce are supplementary in nature.

*Scheduled Tribes Population as per Census 2011 data.
 PVTGs Population as per Micro Project Survey Data, 2010

PVTG Communities

Birhor,  Bonda Poraja,  Chuktia Bhunjia,  Didayi,  Dongria Kandha,  Hill Kharia,  Juang,  Kutia Kandha,  Lanjia Saora,  Lodha,  Mankirdia,  Paudi Bhuyan,  Saora. 

62 Scheduled Tribes

Bagata,  Baiga,  Banjara,  Bathudi,  Bhottada,  Bhuinya,  Bhumia,  Bhumij,  Bhunjia,  Binjhal,  Binjhia,  Birhor,  Bonda Poraja,  Chenchu,  Dal,  Desua Bhumij,  Dharua,  Didayi,  Gadaba,  Gandia,  Ghara,  Gond,  Ho,  Holva,  Jatapu,  Juang,  Kandha,  Kandha Gauda,  Kawar,  Kharia,  Kharwar,  Kisan,  Kol,  Kolah,  Kolha,  Koli, Malhar,  Kondadora,  Kora,  Korua,  Kotia,  Koya,  Kulis,  Lodha,  Madia,  Mahali,  Mankidi,  Mankirdia,  Matya,  Mirdhas,  Munda,  Mundari,  Omanatya,  Oraon,  Parenga,  Paroja,  Pentia,  Rajuar,  Santal,  Saora,  Shabar Lodha,  Sounti,  Tharua. 

PVTG Communities

Birhor,  Bonda Poraja,  Chuktia Bhunjia,  Didayi,  Dongria Kandha,  Hill Kharia,  Juang,  Kutia Kandha,  Lanjia Saora,  Lodha,  Mankirdia,  Paudi Bhuyan,  Saora. 

62 Scheduled Tribes

Bagata,  Baiga,  Banjara,  Bathudi,  Bhottada,  Bhuinya,  Bhumia,  Bhumij,  Bhunjia,  Binjhal,  Binjhia,  Birhor,  Bonda Poraja,  Chenchu,  Dal,  Desua Bhumij,  Dharua,  Didayi,  Gadaba,  Gandia,  Ghara,  Gond,  Ho,  Holva,  Jatapu,  Juang,  Kandha,  Kandha Gauda,  Kawar,  Kharia,  Kharwar,  Kisan,  Kol,  Kolah,  Kolha,  Koli, Malhar,  Kondadora,  Kora,  Korua,  Kotia,  Koya,  Kulis,  Lodha,  Madia,  Mahali,  Mankidi,  Mankirdia,  Matya,  Mirdhas,  Munda,  Mundari,  Omanatya,  Oraon,  Parenga,  Paroja,  Pentia,  Rajuar,  Santal,  Saora,  Shabar Lodha,  Sounti,  Tharua. 

PVTG Communities

Birhor,  Bonda Poraja,  Chuktia Bhunjia,  Didayi,  Dongria Kandha,  Hill Kharia,  Juang,  Kutia Kandha,  Lanjia Saora,  Lodha,  Mankirdia,  Paudi Bhuyan,  Saora. 

62 Scheduled Tribes

Bagata,  Baiga,  Banjara,  Bathudi,  Bhottada,  Bhuinya,  Bhumia,  Bhumij,  Bhunjia,  Binjhal,  Binjhia,  Birhor,  Bonda Poraja,  Chenchu,  Dal,  Desua Bhumij,  Dharua,  Didayi,  Gadaba,  Gandia,  Ghara,  Gond,  Ho,  Holva,  Jatapu,  Juang,  Kandha,  Kandha Gauda,  Kawar,  Kharia,  Kharwar,  Kisan,  Kol,  Kolah,  Kolha,  Koli, Malhar,  Kondadora,  Kora,  Korua,  Kotia,  Koya,  Kulis,  Lodha,  Madia,  Mahali,  Mankidi,  Mankirdia,  Matya,  Mirdhas,  Munda,  Mundari,  Omanatya,  Oraon,  Parenga,  Paroja,  Pentia,  Rajuar,  Santal,  Saora,  Shabar Lodha,  Sounti,  Tharua.