Dongria Kondh tribal people

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May 12, 2025

Dongria Kondh tribal people

 Why in News ? The Dongria Kondh tribal people of Odisha are as assertive in demonstrating their identity as they famously were in protecting the Niyamgiri Hills from mining giant Vedanta.

In the Niyamgiri Hills of Odisha, the indigenous tribe of Dongria Kondh lives in quiet harmony with nature, preserving ancient traditions, worshipping mountain spirits and nurturing the land.

Key Points on the Dongria Kondh Tribe:

  1. Location:

    • Reside in the Niyamgiri Hills, Odisha, India.

  2. Cultural Practices:

    • Worship Niyam Raja, their supreme deity.

    • Practice podu cultivation, growing millets, pineapple, turmeric, and vegetables.

    • Speak the Kui language, an ancient Dravidian tongue.

  3. Distinctive Attire and Adornments:

    • Minimal traditional clothing; women wear cloth wraps, while men wear loincloths and colourful turbans.

    • Jewelry: Metallic nose pins, multiple earrings, and body tattoos are prevalent among both genders.

  4. Resistance Movement:

    • Gained global attention for their opposition to Vedanta Resources’ bauxite mining project in the Niyamgiri Hills.

    • Won a legal battle in 2013 when the Supreme Court upheld their right to decide on mining in their region.

  5. Modern Challenges and Adaptations:

    • Adoption of smartphones and limited urban influences.

    • Balancing modernity with traditional values while preserving their identity and natural surroundings.

List of Other Tribes and Their Regions:

  1. Gonds:

    • Region: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra

    • Known for their art and mythological storytelling.

  2. Santhals:

    • Region: Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha

    • Primarily agrarian; famous for their tribal dances and music.

  3. Toda:

    • Region: Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu

    • Known for their distinct embroidery and buffalo herding.

  4. Bhils:

    • Region: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh

    • Skilled in archery; significant contributors to folk art and paintings.

  5. Jarawas:

    • Region: Andaman Islands

    • Indigenous tribe with a hunter-gatherer lifestyle; minimal contact with the outside world.

  6. Bodos:

    • Region: Assam

    • Known for their weaving skills and involvement in movements for political autonomy.

  7. Irulas:

    • Region: Tamil Nadu and Kerala

    • Snake and rat catchers by tradition, also engage in small-scale agriculture.

  8. Warli:

    • Region: Maharashtra

    • Renowned for Warli painting, depicting tribal life and beliefs.

  9. Munda:

    • Region: Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal

    • Known for their traditional dances and involvement in agrarian practices.

  10. Konyaks:

    • Region: Nagaland

    • Known for their warrior culture and unique face tattoos.

Each of these tribes contributes uniquely to India’s diverse cultural tapestry and is shaped by its environmental, historical, and social contexts.

Tribes Living Near Hills in India

  1. Dongria Kondh:

    • Region: Niyamgiri Hills, Odisha

  2. Toda Tribe:

    • Region: Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu

  3. Garo Tribe:

    • Region: Garo Hills, Meghalaya

  4. Khasi Tribe:

    • Region: Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

  5. Jaintia Tribe:

    • Region: Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya

  6. Lepcha Tribe:

    • Region: Darjeeling Hills, West Bengal; Sikkim

  7. Konyak Tribe

    • Region: Patkai Hills, Nagaland

  8. Apatani Tribe

    • Region: Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh

  9. Irulas

    • Region: Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu

  10. Bhotia Tribe

    • Region: Himalayan Hills, Uttarakhand

  11. Mizos

    • Region: Lushai Hills, Mizoram

  12. Chakma Tribe

    • Region: Chittagong Hill Tracts, Tripura and Mizoram

  13. Gaddi Tribe

    • Region: Dhauladhar Hills, Himachal Pradesh

  14. Siddi Tribe

    • Region: Western Ghats, Karnataka and Goa

  15. Korku Tribe

    • Region: Satpura Hills, Madhya Pradesh


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