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Nestling
on the eastern coast of India, Orissa is one of the
most exquisite regions dominated by exotic sandy beaches,
plenteous wild life, and holy temples famous for their
architectural splendor and primitive lifestyle. The
charm of the city is still well- nigh chaste and unrevealed
by the visitors, up to its full extent. The other lure
of the city lies in its tribal population dotted with
more than 62 tribal communities. The tribal communities
of Orissa constitute about 23% of its total population.
Orissa is inhabited by tribes like Saora or Sabar that
had a respectable mentioning in the epic of Mahabharata.
Mostly
the Orissa tribes are high land habitats with opulent
ethnic trait, cultures and customs dominated by varying
languages. The culture conscious tribes are able to
preserve their social customs and dignified values.
The most primitive tribes are Bondas, Gadabas, Koyas,
Kondhas and Sauras.
Tribal
Culture
The culture of tribal Orissa is affluent with their
own folk songs and dances, their tattoos. Tribal culture
of Orissa is well depicted in its modern city in form
of poems, art and craft or music.
The
tribes have adapted the Hindu traditions and culture
from centuries, which is mixed with their own culture
giving a distinct zest to the entire racial. Songs and
dances are the essence of the tribal culture of Orissa.
The traditions and the ceremonies for wedding, birth
and death all are represented by singing songs, rural
dances along with feasts.
The
Tribal Folk
Orissan tribes are strong, assiduous and simple hospitable
tribes, normally like to be reserved and maintain distance
from the people of other communities, as they are too
shy. The major occupation of these tribes is agriculture
and fishing and hunting. Men usually wear loin attire
and women rap long stretch of cloth around them. Women
are adorned with ornaments like bangles, armlets, bracelets,
necklaces, rings, hairpins etc usually made of silvers,
aluminum, and brass. The practice of tattooing is prevalent
among women folk. Girls above 5 years are found with
tattoo mark on their faces and hands.
Festival
Celebration
Numbers of deities are worshiped by the tribes for their
happy life. Many festivals are also celebrated with
much of enthusiasm and excitement. The ceremony rituals
are observed through out the year in order to appease
their deities and ascendant.
The
most significant festival of the year are the chaita
parab and push parab- this day all able men of the village
go on a hunting expedition. The tribes with their cultural
dance, song and music all distinguish custom of their
artistic life, which demarcate them from the other non
tribal groups.
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