Orissa Review December - 2011

The Cultural History of the Tribals of the Koraput Region

Dr. Debashis Patra

Introduction : The Bonda and Didayi are considered as The culture of any community is closely rare tribes because of their greatness and typicality associated and assimilated with its history since of culture. Their domain and sphere of activity is time immemorial. Further the existence of culture confined to the dense forests of is the base of history. Therefore, the craze to know and on the mountainous river. This aboriginal tribe the way of life of any community requires study is divided into three communities’ viz. Munda. and analysis of cultural history of that tribe deeply. (Austro-Asiatic), Dravidian and Indo - Asian. If one thinks of cultural history of primitive tribes They have their culture of own which is linked to one must turn towards South , the hub of their ambiance and language. Literarily the tribals. So, this Koraput region, the domain of definition of their culture is so broad that we tribals has become centre of study and research. appreciate and accept every aspect of their life style which is associated with culture. Let us have Although the tribal population in Odisha a glance at their culture from different perspective has around 25%; their contribution in the such as social and religious milieu, village system, development process of the state is outstanding. folk literature, dance and song, fairs and festivals, Their tradition and culture is broad and way of life and folk art. uncommon. And the cultural history of tribals of this undivided Koraput have special importance Socio-cultural Life of the Tribals : all over . The tribal population consists of Normally the primitive tribes express the 53.74% in the undivided Koraput (now divided cultural identity through their custom, tradition, into 4 districts Koraput, , Nawarangpur festivals, dress and ornaments. A certain name is and ) as per 2001 census operation. coined especially for the identity of a tribe e.g. The anthropologist study gives an account that the Bonda, the Koya, the Didayi, the Paraja, the there are 62 types of tribes in Odisha. They all Kondh, the Saura etc. One can have a clear view live in the above district although their number is from this name. Every tribe has a certain place of so small. As far as the population of a tribe is origin and its spreading they have their own oral concerned the Bhumia, Bhatra, Gond, Koya, and written language for interaction of each other. Paraja, Kondh constitute above one lakh each, The matrimonial alliance of a tribe is arranged in while other 26 tribes population is around 1000. its own community as they oppose inter

46 December - 2011 Orissa Review community marriage. Each tribe has its own social affection towards villagers are also taken into bond, administration, tradition and judicial system. consideration for selection as head. Almost all the All these play a key role in maintaining law, youth tribe calls the head as “NAIKO”. Assistance is dormitory, worship and enchanting, economic chosen to help the head is called as “CHALLAN”. policy, collection of food, hunting, shifting The duty of convening a meeting is rested on the agriculture, and handicraft and so on for their shoulder of “BARIK”. The priest of the village is lively subsistence. Indeed all these things are a regarded as “DEHURI”. Apart from that the case study of cultural history of tribes for the new posts of the council of village of all the tribe is generation of writer. different from each other. For example the head of the Koya village is “WARDE”, the Paraja’s Salient Features of Tribal Socio-Cultural the “MUDULI”, and the Sauras’s the Life : “GOMANGO” and so on. The religious head of 1. They live in relative isolation usually in hills the Kondh community is the “JANI” who is and forests in interior area. assisted by “BIS-MAJHI” during the time of 2. Their social identity is defined and redefined meeting. These are the aspects which are the main from time to time. source of cultural wave of tribes that provide a lot of account regarding their culture. 3. They constitute simple societies which are socio-culturally homogeneous. B. Youth Dormitories 4. They have their written and oral language or The youth dormitories (Dhangda, dialect for communication. Dhangdi Basa) play a major role for keeping the tribal culture and tradition afloat. And most of the 5. A particular tribal community is endogamous tribe has such institution for unmarried youths. The and is divided into a number of exogamous boys and the girls spend nights there in separate divisions. room in the dormitories. An open space is there 6. They have low access to education and health opposite to the dormitory which is meant for care services. practising dance. It would not be wrong to say it 7. They possess their own socio-cultural history as school for improvement of dance. This which may be shallow and un-written. dormitory has another importance particularly choosing of life partner by the youth. It is indeed 8. They have their rich cultural tradition and a democratic institution for promotion and carrying heritage although their social organization is culture of tribes and we have to recognize the simple. role of dormitory in this regard is uncommon. OTHER CULTURAL MILIEU C. Ceremony of Tribals : A. Traditional Village Council Ceremonies are inseparable part of the The village council is considered to be way of life of tribals. There are two types of the cultural centre of tribal village. It comprises ceremony so far as the observation at family level various posts and their duties to perform. The and community level is concerned. The family level head of the village council is the head of the village. ceremonies mainly include Newly Born Babies, The head of a village is normally selected as per Marriage and Death. These ceremonies have seniority and talent. His commitment, love and specific custom and convention, for instance the

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Naming Ceremony of the newly born baby which still these are collectively reflecting tribal culture. is taken place on 21st day after birth. There is They prefer to perform song and dance in group also provision of prayer and worship to the rather than pairs or single. They play traditional forefather for blessings. This ceremony also tribal musical instruments such as drum, horn, includes the drawing of “Muruja’ and “Jhoti” in tamak, Dungdunga etc. The expression of the tantric design. Similarly during the time of death parts of the body like eye, head, waist and hand rites there is also the rule of drawing tantric design attract others and especially at the time of dance and offering of non steam rice, wine, cocks etc. which is parallel to the tune of musical instruments. for pleasing the spirits of the deads. These Usually these types of song and dance are ceremonies are conducted in the presence and organized at the time of fair and festivals. The main guidance of Jani, Sisa and Gurumai. festivals include Chaiti Parab, Pus Parab, Sim D. Culture Associated with Religion : (bean) Parab, Aam (mango) Parab, Bhairabi Jatra All tribes are the worshipper of nature as and marriage ceremony. They put on their they felt the presence of divinity in nature. Indeed, traditional dresses and ornaments well on these this is important from religious ground. They give occasions so as to sing and dance in groups. The more emphasis on three elements of nature. They Pus Parab and Chaiti Parab of almost all tribes of worship the soil as mother earth, sun as religious Koraput region is recognized as main festivals and god and water as the life giver. But the head Dhemsa, the popular dance is regarded as the decides the observation of different festivals on best in the country. Their important festivals and considering the religious culture. So it is noticed dance are discussed below. that there is some uniformity and diversity of 1.Chaiti Parab observing festivals. The aim and objective of religious objects are as follow: (a) prayer for The whole month of Chaitra is celebrated blessing (b) system of improved bread earning as a holiday by the tribals of this region. The month (c) worshipping and remembering of forefathers is spent in feasting, nightlong dancing and singing (d) welfare of world (e) recreation (f) environment and in expeditions in to the forests together. protection and (g) integration among communities. Mohwa blossom during which it is said, free love is the rule among the unmarried. Men and boys The religious practices go on in tribal culture all over the year, e.g. construction of home, go into the forest for hunting. With depletion of shifting cultivation, sowing of seeds, setting of forest and restrictions imposed on it, the scope wooden pole in the ground, hunting and of hunting has declined in course of time. worshipping. These practices are the main 2. Pus Parab perspectives that keep alive the religious culture Pus Parab is observed in the month of till now. Pausha in which men, women and children E. Song, Dance and Festivals : participate. After the rituals and sacrifices are Other aspects that associate with tribal made in front of a heap of wood is lit and people culture are folk song, folk dance, fairs and festivals sing and dance encircling the fire. The Bonda, which cannot be ignored or side- tracked. Koya, Paraja, Didayi, Bhatra, Matia etc. observe Although these are source of pomp and gaiety, this festival with much pomp and ceremony.

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3. Dhemsa Dance understanding. On account of these above reasons A popular dance form like Dhemsa which the tribals of these parts are considered as simple, is normally performed in every village of Koraput truthful and freedom-oriented. Although is really fascinating. This is such a group dance modernization and the process of globalization has which consists both men and women of all ages. already entered into the hills of Koraput region They perform the group dance knitting fingers of and changing their life style; yet their costumes, one another and with the tunes of the instrument. tradition associated with cultural history will Although all tribes perform the Dhemsa only the remain evergreen in the world. Now it is the need Koya’s style and expression is eye-catching. The of the hour to study and highlight the rich culture Koya male put on the horns of the bison during of these South Odishan tribals of Koraput region, the dance. The beautiful song, dance, musical though they are unaware of their contribution for instruments associated with these performances widening and enriching the scope of global by the tribals and their colourful costumes and culture. In the words of Verrier Elwin, the notable ornaments are the greatest attractions for the scholar of tribal studies in India “Let us teach them viewers. that their (tribal’s) own culture, their own arts are 4. Art and Crafts the precious things that we respect and need. When they feel that they can make a contribution The artistic skill of the tribal people is not to their country, they will feel part of it. It is only manifested in their dance and music, but also therefore, an important aspect of their integration”. in their dress and ornaments, wall paintings, wood carving and toy making etc. But through art and Bibliography : craft their self image and aesthetic sensibility are 1. Bell, R.C.S (1945) Orissa District Gazetteer, Koraput, visualized. The Sauras, the Koyas, the Kondhas Orissa Government Press, . decorate their houses with motifs of flowers, birds, 2. Government of Orissa (1990) Tribes of Orissa, Tribal and geometrical designs. The Saura paintings are Welfare Department, . intimately related to religious beliefs and drawn in 3. Elwin, V. (1950) Bondo Highlanders, Oxford order to appease demigods and spirits. The wood University Press, Indian Branch, Bombay. carving of Kondhas, metal work by Bathudis is 4. Mohanty K.K. & authors (2006), Tribes of Koraput, really things of attraction to outsiders. COATS, Koraput. The Bonda and Gadaba have their own 5. Patra, D. (2010), Mudulipadara Loke, Sanshrita looms by which they weave cloth for their own Prakashani, Malkangiri, Orissa use. The Bonda women though are considered 6. Census of Orissa (2001), Orissa Census Directorate, to be very primitive, look majestic when they wear Orissa, Bhubaneswar. head bands of grass, necklace of coloured beads and girdles made of brass on their bodies. All these are expressions of their artistic quality and aesthetic sense. Conclusion : Literally, the tribal culture is so much liberal and simple. A deep observation, study and Dr. Debashis Patra, Lecturer in Oriya in the Government analysis regarding tribal culture will clarify our Science College, Malkanagiri.

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