Orissa has 62 distinct tribal groups, making it the largest collection of tribal people in a single state in the country.
Each of these tribal groups have their own indigenous customs and continue to practice them even today. Orissa is home to India’s ancient civilization and most if it concentrated around the eastern ghat hill ranges in the region of Koraput, Sundargarh and Mayurbahanja.Many tourists do get to meet some of these tribal groups and see them in their natural habitat, though access to some tribal areas is stillstrictly restricted.But what the tourists manages to see, can be an experience that is both
enriching and educative.

The tribal economy is by large based on activities around the jungles.Food gathering, hunting and fishing continue to be the main source of livelihood though some of the larger tribes such as the Santals, Mundas and Gonds have become agriculturists. The Juang, Bhuyan, Bondo, Saroa and Dharua tribes follow the shifting cultivation practice. The koya tribals are cattle breeders while the Mohali and Lohara are simple artisans involved in basket-weaving and tool-making. The santal,
Munda and Ho tirbals have now also becomes involved in the mining and industrial belts of Orissa.

Though their economy is a bit shaky, the Orissan tribals enjoy a rich and varied cultural heritage, the most powerful instance of this being in their music and dance which are as colourful as they are rhythmical. The cycle of life offers numerous reasons to celebrate and is done so with vigour and grace either in the privacy of the family home or as a community activity. The changing seasons, religious customs and the traditional rhythms of superstitious belief are strong incentives for creating a string of festivals of augment their importance to the tribals.

The paraja tribe is primarily located in the Kalahandi and Koraput regions of Orissa. The language is ‘Parij’. They worship numerous Gods and Goddesses who live in the hills and forests. They love dance and music during weddings.

The Saroa tribe is one of the most ancient and they are known for being marathon walkers, expert hunters and climbers. Personal hygiene is ofintense importance to them. The Bondos are fiercely independent and aggressive, and continue to practice the barter system of exchanging produce from their fields for their daily needs. Bondo women prefer to marry youngermen because they can have someone who will earn for them in their old age. The Gonds are the warrior who have traveled the vast tracts of central and south India. The Oraon tribals are economically better placed because of
their more progressive ways and interaction with the modern world; in the
field of agriculture. An Oraon marriage partner can contest for divorce on
the grounds of not only adultery but also for bad temper and laziness…PIC1

 

Bonda tribes:- .These are types of Bondo,the Bondo's are staying high hill of the forests and one of the most primitive tribes of India ,their language is called "Remo" which comes underAustro Asiatic language belonging to Mundari group.PIC1

Gadaba Tribes:- This is the Gadoba tribal dance, the Gadabas are one of the very primitive and colorful tribes in Orissa.PIC1

Kondh:- These tribes are Dongaria kondh which is one of the most primitive tribes found in Orissa.PIC1