Of all the states of India, Orissa has the largest number tribes, as many as 62.Altogether they constitute an impressive 23% of the total population of Orissa. These tribes mainly inhabit the Eastern Ghats hill range which runs in the north south direction. More than half of their population is concentrated in three districts like Phulbani,Kandhmal,Rayagada and Koraput. Economy of Orissa Tribes is subsistence oriented. It is based on food gathering, hunting, fishing, revolves around forests. Even the larger tribes like the santal,Munda,Oran and Gond who are settled agriculturist often supplement their economy with hunting and gathering.Many tribes for instance,Juang,Bhuiyan,Saura,Dharua,Kondh & Bondo practice what is called shifting cultivation, also known as slash and burn. They select a plot of a land, generally on a mountain slope, slash down all the trees and bushes and burn them to ashes. There are cattle breeders among the tribes, notably the Koya. There are simple artisans too like the Mohali and Loharas, who practice crafts of basket weaving and tool making.

Orissa Tribal Villages manages its internal affair very smoothly through two institutions –the village council of elders a youth dormitory. The core of tribal culture, the youth dormitory is the largest hut in the village. It has only three walls profusely decorated with symbols representing animals. Despite their poverty and ongoing battle for survival, the tribes of Orissa have retained their rich and colorful heritage of dance and music. Tribes of Orissa observe a string of festivals. Some are closed affairs relating to birth or death within the family or daughter attaining puberty. Others relate to the sowing or harvest time and thus involve the entire community. Mostly a festival is an occasion for a good swing of Mahua liquor, a game animal, roasted on the spit and a night of song and dance and revelry. In many occasion Tribes of Orissa also do the animal sacrifice. Kondh Tribe sacrifices water buffalo to offer to the god of earth before sowing the seed in the field.

Life of Orissa Tribes is really interesting to see and enjoy their culture. So Orissa Tribal Tours or tours to visit Orissa Tribal Villages, their weekly Tribal market, their music and dance is becoming more and more attractive for tourist, photographers and research personnel .Orissa Tribal Tours becomes more and more interesting when it is added to visit Tribes of Chhattisgarh like Muria and Maria.

ACE Expedition India Tours & Travels a leading Tour operator of Orissa (India) provide Orissa tailor- made Tribal Tours and Orissa Tribal Tours packages. To know more about any type of Orissa Tribes or Orissa Tribal Tours kindly visit the Website: www.india-culturaltours.com the site of ACE Expedition of India Tours & Travels, The leading and highly experienced Tour Operator of Orissa for designing tour for the visitors who like to visit Orissa and Orissa Tribes.

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