Toshali Sands

Traditional Skiils

I and other immovable assets has been lost without a ways bring III adequate prospenty via jobs mines and factories. ‘ But if tribal economy is the tribal culture in its pristine state is rich and distinctive and the Adiva!1 work hard to preserve it. A trib village manages its internal affaiIt very smoothly through two institutions - the village council of elders and the 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. The fourth side is open. By night dormitory is home to the youths of the village. But d’ work. before and after a hard say people gather here to chat and relex too The council of elders meets to the to discuss matters recalling ‘h open welfare of the village.

space in front of the dorm to maidens dance south and with a lows free mixing ture a tnbal CU Despite their poverty two sexes. The battle for surva Hong Kong Orissa have retained tribes the. d colourful heritage of their dance to the sound of pipe slog an and drum and give tune to compositions that come Important to him/her as naturally as breathing.

The tribals of Orissa observe a string of festivals. Some are closed affairs, relating to a birth or death within the family or a daughter attaining puberty. Others relate to sowing or harvest time and these involve the entire community. Mostly a festival is an occasion for a good of mahua liquor, a game roasted on the spirit and a night of song and dance and revelry. But that is not the end, there is an animal sacrifice too, for the deities and spirits must be appeased first, particularly the malevolent ones, so they don’t unleash drought or sickness on the land. Tribals are superstitious people and the’ Ojha’ (Witch doctor) occupies a position of honour since he not only prescribes medicines for the sick but is also believed to exorcise evil spirits.

The supernatural also figures promlllently in tribal folklore rich Is a bod You argely verbal literary tradition. These simple folktales are linked to occasions in everyday /ife sowing, harvesting, birth, marriage and death. Folktales also teach values dear to the tribal’s heart, but many of them offer an explanation for natural phenomenon day and night, thunderstorms, animal behaviour. With the tribals living so close. to nature, it couldn’t be otherwise..