2. Major population in Orissa is tribal. The number of tribes that reside in
Orissa is the highest anywhere in India. All the districts of Orissa have a tribal
population in it.
While some regions have huge presence of tribals, some have only a handful
of tribals. Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Naurangpur and Malkangiri are few
districts where more than half of the population is tribal.
contd….
TRIBAL LIFE OF ORISSA
3. In Orissa, few tribes are in a better economic position and are well mixed up
in the society, whereas there are many that lead a completely secluded life.
They are also the most backward in the economic ladder of Orissa. Different
tribes have different culture, traditions, language and rituals.
TRIBAL LIFE OF ORISSA
4. DHOTI
The dhoti or vaettior pancha is the traditional men's garment in the Asian
subcontinent in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It is a rectangular piece of
unstitched cloth, usually around 4.5 meters long, wrapped around the waist and the
legs and knotted at the waist.
contd…
CLOTHES(MEN)
5. They were traditionally worn with loose-fitting paijama (kurta-paijama), loose-
fitting salwars, semi-tight (tight around the calves, but loose from the waist to including
the knees) churidars, or wrapped-around dhotis; but are now also worn with jeans.
Kurtas are worn both as casual everyday wear and as formal dress.
CLOTHES(MEN)
6. Gamucha is a short piece of cloth generally saffron in color. It is
the local towel of the people of Orissa. They are also available in
different colors and patterns. For its low price and easy availability it
is widely acceptable among people of Orissa. A place
called Khordha in Khordha district is famous for producing
Gamuchas worldwide. Normal length of a Gamucha vary from 1.5
meters to 2.5 meters. It's price comes around a Dollar or Two.
CLOTHES(MEN)
7. SAMBALPURI SAREE
Sambalpuri Saree is a traditional handwoven Ikkat sari or saree (locally called shadhi)
wherein the warp and the weft are tie-dyed before weaving. It is produced in the
Bargarh, Sonepur, Sambalpur and nearby districts of Orissa. These sarees first became
popular outside the state when the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi started wearing
them.
CLOTHES(WOMEN)
8. KATAKI SAREE
Kataki sarees in handspun cotton and silk or tussar, have traditional Hindu and
Buddhist designs on them. There is filigree work in silver that you will find in Kataka.
You will also find fine tribal work in brass and other metal-wire. Pattachitra is
traditional painting on palm-leaf or raw silk.
CLOTHES(WOMEN)
9. Men generally wear loin clothes whereas women wear a lengthy cloth that they
wrap around themselves. Women of few tribes also wear a scarf on their head.
Almost all women wear ornaments, bracelets, necklaces made of aluminum
and brass. Girls above the age of 5 are seen with tattoos on their faces.
GENERAL TRIBAL CLOTHING
11. Juang tribes of Orissa are divided into two totemic clans namely
Bandhu clans and Kutumba.
An alternative term, which their neighbors use to denote the Juang is
Pattua, meaning the wearer of leaf-dress though leaf-dress has long
been abandoned since the time when captain J. Johnstone forced the
Juang to wear clothes.
Contd…
JUANG TRIBE
13. Dressing & Jewellery: Men wear white Dhoti with a white Benta or turban on
head while the women wear white cotton saree with red border and red
blouse. Traditional jewellery like Andu (Anklet), Sakam (Bangles), Mudi
(Ring), Murki (Earrings), Puli (Nose Ring), Hisir (Necklace) etc., made of
metals like Gold, Silver, Brass and Copper are worn by the women. Other
forms of jewellery made of animal bones, ivory, feathers, horns and semi-
precious stones have a special significance in the Kolha culture.
Contd…
KOLHA TRIBE
16. A woman of Banjara tribes in Orissa is accustomed to wearing
"ghaghra" and `choli` (a blouse). Ghagra is a whirling skirt made of
red, black and white cotton, with pieces of mirrored glass embroidered
on it. The craze for Jewels is of the highest degree amongst these
celebrated tribes of Orissa. Anklets, silver earrings, hair plaits and bone
bangles add charm to the enriched culture of Banjaras.
BANJARA TRIBE
18. These Bonda Poraja tribes have unique style of dressing which emphasized the
rich heritage of their culture and ethnicity. The Bonda Poraja tribes are in
general `semi-clothed`. Moreover, ornaments play a great role in the attire if
the Bonda tribes. Bonda Poraja tribes wear broad silver necklace bands, which
also embellish their beauty to a great extent.
BONDA TRIBE
19. A Gadaba woman usually wears a two-piece dress which is very colourful, often
striped in red, blue and white, which is woven by the women themselves. The
textile is made from the bark of the kereng plant. The ornaments they wear are
not very different from those of other tribals. They wear beads of various
colours in the hair, silver necklaces and very big brass earrings. The kerengis
are being slowly replaced by the sari. Men wear only a piece of cloth `Languti`
with a flail which hangs in front.
GADABA TRIBE
20.
21. The cultural exuberance is rightly been depicted in the way these paraja tribes
dress up. The attires of both male and female are colorful. Women folks of
these paraja tribal communities wear beautiful ornaments thereby enhancing
their beauty. Nose rings and hairs clips are used by paraja women. The male
paraja tribes have the habit of wearing earrings.
PARAJA TRIBE
22. Textile heritage of Orissa reflects the true artistic capabilities and superior
craftsmanship of Orissa. Drawing heavily from the motifs replete in tribal culture and
its association with nature and Orissa's famous temple architectural style, the textiles
and handlooms of Orissa have entered the living rooms of people from as far as US
and Poland.
INDUSTRY
23. Handlooms of Orissa are mainly available in cotton and silk though the
colors, patterns and methods of weaving differ for the two textured materials.
The cotton fabrics with heavy drapes are woven of fine cotton threads tightly
held together. The fabric is flannel like to touch for its soft wooly weaving,
unlike the luster of precious stones and metals of the silk fabrics.
24. Orissa's cotton handlooms and textiles come in earthy patterns of the famous Ikat
style of weaving. The Ikat handloom and textiles origin can be traced back to Orissa's
rich maritime past when seafaring traders ventured forth on journeys to the islands of
Indonesia primarily Bali.
25. Danda Nata
The dandua which interpretes this role is dressed with a red and black sari,
wears female ornaments and has an arch-like structure of bamboo strips
covered with cloths tied at the back. The latter is the parva (radiance) and it is
kept all through the year inside the kamana ghara together with kamana and
the danda or handles for the fire.
ORISSA TRADITIONAL DANCE
DRESS
26. Dalkahi Dance
The love story of Radha and Krishna, the episodes from Ramayana and
Mahabaharata, the description of natural scenery are represented through the
songs. The young women dance and sing intermittently. The women generally
dress themselves with the colorful Sambalpuri Sari and wear a scarf on the
shoulders holding the ends below in both the hands. Bedecked with traditional
jewelry their robust framers sustain the strains of the dance for long hours.
ORISSA TRADITIONAL DANCE
DRESS
27. Chaiti Ghoda
Chaiti Ghoda is a traditional folk dance usually performed by the Kaivartas or
the fishermen community residing in the coastal districts of Orissa. The dance
has three main participants – the Rauta, the Rautani and the Horse Rider. the
Rauta and the Rautani enthrall the audience with their soulful songs and witty
exchanges, the horse rider entertains with his energetic dance with the dummy
horse, performed to the musical accompaniment of the Dhola (drum) and
Mahuri (trumpet).
ORISSA TRADITIONAL DANCE
DRESS
28. Koya Dance
The members of the Koya tribe perform this dance during Chaitra Parva
(March – April). The Koya girls wear elaborate jewellery made of beads and
sport decorative caps. The Koya boys wear traditional costumes and jewellery.
The head gear is fitted with a bison’s horn. Koya drums and the flute are the
main accompanying musical instruments.
ORISSA TRADITIONAL DANCE
DRESS
