Story by: Sayali Gupta
Being a native of Odisha, I always admired my home state. In 2019, I decided to travel outside my city Bhubaneswar, and freely visit a few villages and meet some tribal communities. Among the numerous tribal communities, I was interested in meeting the Kondh (or Dongria Kandha) tribes.
The Kondhs are the largest tribal group in Odisha and are known for their rich cultural heritage, and indigenous values, and live in harmony with nature. The Niyamgiri hill range in Odisha is home to the Dongria Kondh tribe. It is an area of densely forested hills, deep gorges and cascading streams.
Deep within the heartland of Odisha, amidst the lush green forests and hills, lay a treasure trove of indigenous cultures and traditions. Intrigued by the vibrancy of these tribal communities, I felt like connecting with their way of life, seeking a glimpse into their rich cultural heritage.
My adventure led me to a small village nestled on the outskirts of the forest. As I stepped into the community, I was immediately greeted by warm smiles and curious eyes. The village was home to the Dongria Kondh tribe, known for their deep-rooted connection to nature and their distinct traditions.
I was very excited and became eager to learn more about their way of life. I approached a group of women adorned in colourful traditional attire, their silver jewellery glinting in the sunlight. With open hearts, they invited me to join them in their daily activities.
As we sat together, they patiently explained the significance of their intricate handwoven textiles and the stories woven into each pattern. It was very evident that they cherished their culture, preserved their cultural identity and passed down their traditions from one generation to the next.
As I walked into the village, one of the village elders invited me to their home. I was happy to see the hospitality and agreed. I went inside the house; it was very simple and felt homely.
The aroma of the food filled the air as we sat together. Some other villagers joined outside the house, so we decided that we’ll sit outside in the open where other villagers can also join us. The food was simple – rice and some vegetable curry (prepared with some locally available fresh veggies).
After I finished the food, one of the ladies in the tribe urged their little children to dance and sing a song. The children were shy in the beginning but they slowly started grooving on the rhythmic beat of tribal drums.
I too started swaying to the melodic tunes and the tribal drums. Slowly, other ladies and some men joined the dance and we all had a very nice time together.
After the dance, we all sat together under the open sky and shared our stories and had some good laugh on a few topics.
I realised that my encounter with the Dongria Kondh tribe had profoundly impacted my perspective on life. The resilience, unity, and harmony with nature exhibited by these tribal people served as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all living beings.
I said goodbye to the villagers and carried with me not just memories, but also a newfound appreciation for the beautiful tribal culture of Odisha.
The Dongria Kondh tribe offered me a glimpse into their world and taught me valuable lessons about the importance of preserving heritage and fostering a deep connection with our roots.
Sayali is a researcher in social sciences and also works as a freelance writer. She is a keen traveller and likes to meet new people. She can mostly be found travelling around Bhubaneswar but also likes being home-sick sometimes. She likes local art and is also currently self-teaching herself some good painting strokes.
