Introduction:
The culture of any community
is closely associated and assimilated with its history since time immemorial.
Further the existence of culture is the base of history. Therefore, the craze
to know the way of life of any community requires study and analysis of
cultural history of that tribe deeply. If one thinks of cultural history of
primitive tribes one must turn towards South Odisha, the hub of tribals. So,
this Koraput region, the domain of tribals has become centre of study and
research.
Although the tribal
population in Odisha has around 25%; their contribution in the development
process of the state is outstanding. Their tradition and culture is broad and
uncommon. And the cultural history of tribals of this undivided Koraput have
special importance all over India. The tribal population consists of 53.74% in
the undivided Koraput (now divided into 4 districts Koraput, Rayagada,
Nawarangpur and Malkangiri) as per 2001 census operation. The anthropologist
study gives an account that there are 62 types of tribes in Odisha. They all
live in the above district although their number is so small. As far as the
population of a tribe is concerned the Bhumia, Bhatra, Gond, Koya, Paraja,
Kondh constitute above one lakh each, while other 26 tribes population is
around 1000.
The Bonda and Didayi are
considered as rare tribes because of their greatness and typicality of culture.
Their domain and sphere of activity is confined to the dense forests of Eastern
Ghats and on the mountainous river. This aboriginal tribe is divided into three
communities’ viz. Munda. (Austro-Asiatic), Dravidian and Indo - Asian. They
have their culture of own which is linked to their ambiance and language.
Literarily the definition of their culture is so broad that we appreciate and
accept every aspect of their life style which is associated with culture. Let
us have a glance at their culture from different perspective such as social and
religious milieu, village system, folk literature, dance and song, fairs and
festivals, way of life and folk art.
Socio-cultural
Life of the Tribal:
Normally the primitive tribes
express the cultural identity through their custom, tradition, festivals, dress
and ornaments. A certain name is coined especially for the identity of a tribe
e.g. the Bonda, the Koya, the Didayi, the Paraja, the Kondh, the Saura etc. One
can have a clear view from this name. Every tribe has a certain place of origin
and its spreading they have their own oral and written language for interaction
of each other. The matrimonial alliance of a tribe is arranged in its own
community as they oppose intercommunity marriage. Each tribe has its own social
bond, administration, tradition and judicial system. All these play a key role
in maintaining law, youth dormitory, worship and enchanting, economic policy,
collection of food, hunting, shifting agriculture, and handicraft and so on for
their lively subsistence. Indeed all these things are a case study of cultural
history of tribes for the new generation of writer.
Salient
Features of Tribal Socio-Cultural Life:
1.
They live in relative isolation usually in hills and forests in interior area.
2.
Their social identity is defined and redefined from time to time.
3.
They constitute simple societies which are socio-culturally homogeneous.
4.
They have their written and oral language or dialect for communication.
5. A particular tribal community is endogamous
and is divided into a number of exogamous divisions.
6.
They have low access to education and health care services.
7.
They possess their own socio-cultural history which may be shallow and
un-written.
8.
They have their rich cultural tradition and heritage although their social
organization is simple.
OTHER CULTURAL
MILIEU
A. Traditional
Village Council :
The village council is
considered to be the cultural centre of tribal village. It comprises various
posts and their duties to perform. The head of the village council is the head
of the village. The head of a village is normally selected as per seniority and
talent. His commitment, love and affection towards villagers are also taken
into consideration for selection as head. Almost all the tribe calls the head
as “NAIKO”. Assistance is chosen to help the head is called as “CHALLAN”. The duty
of convening a meeting is rested on the shoulder of “BARIK”. The priest of the
village is regarded as “DEHURI”. Apart from that the posts of the council of
village of all the tribe is different from each other. For example the head of
the Koya village is “WARDE”, the Paraja’s the “MUDULI”, and the Sauras’s the
“GOMANGO” and so on. The religious head of the Kondh community is the “JANI”
who is assisted by “BIS-MAJHI” during the time of meeting. These are the
aspects which are the main source of cultural wave of tribes that provide a lot
of account regarding their culture.
B. Youth
Dormitories :
The youth dormitories
(Dhangda, Dhangdi Basa) play a major role for keeping the tribal culture and
tradition afloat. And most of the tribe has such institution for unmarried
youths. The boys and the girls spend nights there in separate room in the
dormitories. An open space is there opposite to the dormitory which is meant
for practising dance. It would not be wrong to say it as school for improvement
of dance. This dormitory has another importance particularly choosing of life
partner by the youth. It is indeed a democratic institution for promotion and
carrying culture of tribes and we have to recognize the role of dormitory in
this regard is uncommon.
C. Ceremony
of Tribals :
Ceremonies are inseparable
part of the way of life of tribals. There are two types of ceremony so far as
the observation at family level and community level is concerned. The family
level ceremonies mainly include Newly Born Babies, Marriage and Death. These
ceremonies have specific custom and convention, for instance the Naming
Ceremony of the newly born baby which is taken place on 21st day after birth.
There is also provision of prayer and worship to the forefather for blessings.
This ceremony also includes the drawing of “Muruja’ and “Jhoti” in tantric
design. Similarly during the time of death rites there is also the rule of
drawing tantric design and offering of non-steam rice, wine, cocks etc. for
pleasing the spirits of the deads. These ceremonies are conducted in the
presence and guidance of Jani, Sisa and Gurumai.
D. Culture
Associated with Religion :
All tribes are the worshipper
of nature as they felt the presence of divinity in nature. Indeed, this is
important from religious ground. They give more emphasis on three elements of
nature. They worship the soil as mother earth, sun as religious god and water
as the life giver. But the head decides the observation of different festivals
on considering the religious culture. So it is noticed that there is some
uniformity and diversity of observing festivals. The aim and objective of
religious objects are as follow: (a) prayer for blessing (b) system of improved
bread earning (c) worshipping and remembering of forefathers (d) welfare of
world (e) recreation (f) environment protection and (g) integration among
communities.
The religious practices go on
in tribal culture all over the year, e.g. construction of home, shifting
cultivation, sowing of seeds, setting of wooden pole in the ground, hunting and
worshipping. These practices are the main perspectives that keep alive the
religious culture till now.
E. Song,
Dance and Festivals :
Other aspects that associate
with tribal culture are folk song, folk dance, fairs and festivals which cannot
be ignored or side- tracked. Although these are source of pomp and gaiety,
still these are collectively reflecting tribal culture. They prefer to perform
song and dance in group rather than pairs or single. They play traditional
tribal musical instruments such as drum, horn, tamak, Dungdunga etc. The
expression of the parts of the body like eye, head, waist and hand attract
others and especially at the time of dance which is parallel to the tune of
musical instruments. Usually these types of song and dance are organized at the
time of fair and festivals. The main festivals include Chaiti Parab, Pus Parab,
Sim (bean) Parab, Aam (mango) Parab, Bhairabi Jatra and marriage ceremony. They
put on their traditional dresses and ornaments well on these occasions so as to
sing and dance in groups. The Pus Parab and Chaiti Parab of almost all tribes
of Koraput region is recognized as main festivals and Dhemsa, the popular dance
is regarded as the best in the country. Their important festivals and dance are
discussed below:
1. Chaiti
Parab:
The whole month of Chaitra is
celebrated as a holiday by the tribals of this region. The month is spent in
feasting, nightlong dancing and singing and in expeditions in to the forests
together. Mohwa blossom during which it is said, free love is the rule among
the unmarried. Men and boys go into the forest for hunting. With depletion of
forest and restrictions imposed on it, the scope of hunting has declined in
course of time.
2. Pus
Parab:
Pus Parab is observed in the
month of Pausha in which men, women and children participate. After the rituals
and sacrifices are made in front of a heap of wood is lit and people sing and
dance encircling the fire. The Bonda, Koya, Paraja, Didayi, Bhatra, Matia etc.
observe this festival with much pomp and ceremony.
3. Dhemsa
Dance:
A popular dance form like
Dhemsa which is normally performed in every village of Koraput is really
fascinating. This is such a group dance which consists both men and women of
all ages. They perform the group dance knitting fingers of one another and with
the tunes of the instrument. Although all tribes perform the Dhemsa only the
Koya’s style and expression is eye-catching. The Koya male put on the horns of
the bison during the dance. The beautiful song, dance, musical instruments
associated with these performances by the tribals and their colourful costumes
and ornaments are the greatest attractions for the viewers.
4. Art
and Crafts:
The artistic skill of the
tribal people is not only manifested in their dance and music, but also in
their dress and ornaments, wall paintings, wood carving and toy making etc. But
through art and craft their self-image and aesthetic sensibility are
visualized. The Sauras, the Koyas, the Kondhas decorate their houses with
motifs of flowers, birds, and geometrical designs. The Saura paintings are
intimately related to religious beliefs and drawn in order to appease demigods
and spirits. The wood carving of Kondhas, metal work by Bathudis is really
things of attraction to outsiders.
The Bonda and Gadaba have
their own looms by which they weave cloth for their own use. The Bonda women
though are considered to be very primitive, look majestic when they wear 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 analysis regarding
tribal culture will clarify our understanding. On account of these above
reasons the tribals of these parts are considered as simple, truthful and
freedom-oriented. Although modernization and the process of globalization has
already entered into the hills of Koraput region and changing their life style;
yet their costumes, tradition associated with cultural history will remain
evergreen in the world. Now it is the need of the hour to study and highlight
the rich culture of these South Odishan tribals of Koraput region, though they
are unaware of their contribution for widening and enriching the scope of
global culture. In the words of Verrier Elwin, the notable scholar of tribal
studies in India “Let us teach them that their (tribal’s) own culture, their
own arts are the precious things that we respect and need. When they feel that
they can make a contribution to their country, they will feel part of it. It is
therefore, an important aspect of their integration”.
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