Material Culture of the Orissan Tribals

The book contains the material culture of the three sub-groups of the Kondhs, a major tribal community of Orissa, situated in the districts of Koraput, Kalahandi and Phulbani. It examines the cultural life aspects of the Kutia Kondhs, the Dongaria Kondhs and the Malia Kondhs which remarkably differs from one another even though there is much commonality in their social and cultural life. With numerous illustrations of their settlements, artefacts and art objects, items of material culture and plans of their houses, the book deals with similarities in socio-cultural, religious and aesthetic aspects of their life Þ varying occupations, habitats, ecosystems and housing types. It attempts to show that a study of their material culture reveals unity in diversity. For the purpose, it deals with their household objects, quest for good personal care, dress, adornments, religious objects and musical instruments. It describes each artefact/common items of use along with its name (local dialect) in the Kondh communities. Giving an ethnographic account of the different sub-sects as well, the analysis systematically finds out what aspects of their culture has changed over the time and what has seen the least change. The work, both interesting and enlightening, is an attempt to unravel the social and cultural aspects of one of the most ancient and rich tribal traditions of India. It will be an invaluable asset to scholars of a variety of disciplines, mainly anthropology and sociology.