The tribes of Orissa and Chhattisgarh (25 Days)

The tribes of Orissa and Chhattisgarh

The state of Orissa runs along the eastern coast of India. Still little known, the region is rather mountainous with beautiful valleys and plateaus. Many tribes live isolated in the hills, in the middle of a dense forest. Access to their villages is regulated and a permit is required to come to the region. Speaking their dialect, little Hindi and no English, the presence of a guide will facilitate contacts.

In Orissa , as in Chhatisgarh , their way of life, deeply rooted in age-old traditions, makes them an endearing population. Their traditions are expressed through music, dance and the arts. Their economy, based on food gathering, hunting and fishing makes them dependent on the forest. Some villages have specialties. The inhabitants can make pottery, work copper, wood, paint, weave ….

Once a week, men and women come down from their village and come to stock up on supplies at the markets. Fruits, vegetables, chickens or sheep are bought or bartered. Traditional costumes, jewelry and various ornaments allow you to identify them in the population. It is at the markets that you can see them and go meet them.

The Tribes of Orissa

The markets:

• On Mondays , at the Puttasingh market in Rayagada – the Soura tribe is shopping. This tribe mainly practices slash-and-burn agriculture. The women wear wooden plugs in their earlobes and tattoos on their foreheads.
• On Tuesday, the Kotagarh market takes place . The women of the Kutia-Kondh tribe adorn their faces with surprising geometric tattoos, depending on the clan they belong to. According to their beliefs, this allows their deceased to recognize them.

• On Wednesdays, the big market of Chatikona , the gathering place of the Dongria Kondh tribe, one of the two oldest tribes of Orissa. The Dongria are considered by the inhabitants of the region as the protectors of rivers and forests. They are horticulturists who worship the goddess Earth. The women wear a loincloth and combs in their hair.
• On Thursdays, a market is held in Onkudelli, attended by the Bondas , Gadabas and Didayees. Traditionally, the Bondas are recognized by their style of dress: silver rings and tubular necklaces in silver metal enhanced with multi-colored beads for women. The men carry a bow and arrows. The exceptional natural setting adds to the magic of the place.
• On Fridays , the Sana Paraja, Boda Paraja and Mali tribes come to the Kunduli market . Among other things, goats and cocks for fighting are sold there. The women wear many small nose rings that have different meanings depending on the ethnic group. The costumes are very colourful. People often have animist totems.
• On Saturdays, the Baligaon market is held . It is a nice market, mainly for food. People living in the surrounding villages make fruit alcohol, which you can try. The women also cook a dish that looks like a chutney whose main ingredient is none other than ants. Enjoy your meal!

In Chhattisgarh region:

• The Bison Horn Maria like to live in seclusion in their villages around Jagdalpur. Their tribe’s name comes from the buffalo horn helmet they wear while dancing. This headdress is passed down from father to son. As buffalo become increasingly scarce, cattle horns are sometimes used, with cowrie shells hanging around them.
• The Murias , for their part, still follow the tradition of Ghotul . Ghotuls are dormitories in which adolescents sleep with a certain sexual freedom. Boys and girls sleep together and change partners frequently. They then choose the person they will marry. They will then go and live in the village, outside the Gothul. A people of artists, they express their culture through dance. You will therefore be able to attend the Ghotul dance.

Traveling in Orissa and Chhatisgarh is truly traveling off the beaten track and meeting an astonishing ethnic diversity. The markets are places of gathering and exchange for populations who struggle to preserve their culture. In a preserved nature, it is also a region where the beauty of the sites is well worth the visit.

Travel advice:

• Market days are fixed, plan your itinerary and international flights so that you arrive in Bhubaneshwar on a Sunday.
• The local population does not necessarily want to be photographed all the time. So, remember to respect the people who live there and travel with your eyes before traveling through the lens! Otherwise, think about your telephoto lens.
• There are many festivals and celebrations in India, as well as music and dance festivals. You will find all the information you need to enjoy them when you come to India.
• Finally, you can take the opportunity to discover the most beautiful religious sites in India.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information. We will be happy to help you organize your tailor-made tour!

The tribes of Orissa and Chhattisgarh Program:

RAIPUR

 Day 1: Wednesday

Arrival at Raipur airport ,meet our representative and transfer to a comfortable hotel, rest and relax from the long jet lag. Raipur is the airport city which is well connected by flight to all majore cities with international airport like New Delhi/Mumbai/Hyderabad/Kolkata.Overnight stay at Raipur.

RAIPUR-CHILIPI MARKET – BHORAMDEO

Day 2: Thursday

After a peaceful breakfast, check out and drive to visit the weekly market of Chilipi to meet interesting tribal groups of Baiga, Gond tribes. Enjoy the stay in an eco resort amidst the forest.

 BHORAMDEO-excursion to TAREGAON WEEKLY Market

Day 3: Friday

Morning visit the impressive Bhoramdeo temple and short walk nearby  areas. Then excursion to most colourful taregaon weekly market for Baiga tribes who are having tatoos all over their body. Also visit their villages and drive back to Bhoramdeo and stay in the same jungle resort

BHORAMDEO-RAJIM-KANKER

Day 4: Saturday

Early departure for Kanker , enroute visit the stunning Rajim lochan temple and the pilgrim activities along the Mahanadi river ghats. Further drive to enjoy the stay in the local kings  royal palace at Kanker. Enroute visit the tribal villages amidst the forest.

KANKER-NARAYANPUR-JAGDALPUR

Day 5: Sunday

After the royal breakfast , proceed to Naryanpur weekly market for abhuj muria tribes. After memorable hours , proceed to Jagdalpur, enroute visit the kondagaon bellemtal work center and terracotta work center. Overnight stay in a decent hotel at Jagdalpur.

JAGDALPUR

Day 6: Monday

Today visit the various villages of Muria and Maria tribes and also their colourful market at Tokapal. Afternoon enjoy the sunset views of spectacular chitrakoot waterfall. Overnight stay at Jagdalpur.

JAGDALPUR-KOTAPAD-DESIA ECO TOURISM CENTER

Day 7: Tuesday

Visit the tribal textile village famous for unique organic dying process. Meet the weaver families and their furnished work by the traditional loom. Further drive through beautiful landscape to Desia eco tourism which built for bringing socio economic benefits to the tribal community. Upon arrival at Desia, receive with warm welcome / enjoy the authentic and local experience at Desia. Afternoon short walk to mali tribal village., who are good in growing vegetables and fruits.

DESIA & EXCURSION TO NANDAPUR WEEKLY MARKET

Day 8: Wednesday

Excursion to Nandapur weekly market for paraja, mali tribes. Walk in and around this market, buy the vegetables and bring to Desia . Evening sit with the tribal cook for preparation of a delicious dinner.  Visit the jain temple at Subai and the batrsisihmasan shrine at nandapur. Drive back to Desia nad overnight stay.

 DESIA & EXCURSION TO BONDA TRIBAL MARKET

Day 9: Thursday

Today meet the most interesting tribe of India , named BONDA. This indigeneous groups inhabit in the high hills villages and walk to the weekly market to sale their home made alcohol. Also meet gadaba, didayi tribal groups in this market. Walk in and around this market and drive back to desia. Afternoon relax by the Duduma waterfall or free for yor own activity. Evening enjoy the dinner with bonfire.

DESIA & WALK TO VARIOUS TRIBAL VILLAGES

Day 10: Friday

Today you will explore various tribal villages of Paraja, mali, Gadaba, harijan tribes. The idea is to spend  more time in the villages to study their culture, house pattern, agricultural system . have a lunch with a tribal family and also enjoy the dance with the villagers. Overnight stay at Desia eco tourism

DESIA- DHURUBA TRIBAL MARKET – DESIA

Day 11: Saturday

After farewell meet  with Desia family, drive to gupteswar region to visit the secret cave shrine of lord Gupteswar and the scenic saveri river. Then visit the Dhuruba tribal village amidst the forest and visit the colourful market at Baligaon. Drive back to Desia nad overnight stay.

RAYAGADA

Day 12: Sunday

Morning visit the Gaudaguda pottery village and drive through beautiful hills, valleys to arrive at Rayagada and stay in a decent hotel. enroute visit the bamboo basket making village , kondh village.

RAYAGADA & EXCURSION TO SAURA TRIBES

Day 13: Monday

Today excursion to  Lanjia saura tribes in the high hill areas , witness and appreciate their unique mural painting. Enjoy the peaceful walk in the valley, drive back to Rayagada and overnight stay,

RAYAGADA & EXCURSION TO DESIAKONDH TRIBES

Day 14: Tuesday

Visit the weekly market for Desia kondh tribes, tribal jewellery making village , walk to Desia kondh village and drive back to Rayagda and overnight stay.

RAYAGADA- CHATIKONA MKT-KURTAMGAD MKT- PHULABANI

Day 15: Wednesday

Today you will meet another interesting tribal group who live in the high hills , called DUNGURIA tribes. This tribes walk to the down hill market only on wedness day to sale seasonal vegetables and fruits. After memorable hours in this market, further drive to Kurtamgad to meet kutia kondh tattoo faced tribes.  Overnight stay in a decent hotel at Phulabani.

PHULABANI-GOPALAPUR ON SEA

Day 16: Thursday

After breakfast , proceed to Gopalpur on sea and enjoy the stay in a resort along the beach.

GOPALPUR- CHILIKA LAKE-BHUBANESWAR

Day 17: Friday

Chilika lake is one of the larjest brack water lagoon nd home to various migratory birds in the winter. Enjoy the country boat ride through water creeks to meet various birds. Then drive to Bhubaneswar, the temple city of east india. Afternoon visit the centuryold temples in the old city and enjoy the stay in a comfortable hotel.

BHUBANESWAR-RATNAGIRI-

Day 18: Saturday

EXCURSION TO RATNAGIRI

Visit  the various Buddhist antiquities in Ratanagiri and udaygiri areas. This area is full of ruined Buddhist monastery , votive stupas . DRIVE BACK TO BHUBANESAWR AND OVERNIGHT STAY IN a hotel of your choice.

KILADALIJODA HOMESTAY

Day 19: Sunday

Short drive to Kiladalijoda to explore munda trbes and thier villages. The  former king of this area built a hunting place cum guest house which is nice located. Now the present host are the lovely couple and the descedant of the royal family and the house is turned into a homestay .

DHENKANAL

Day 20: Monday

Today  meet various  mahima spiritual monks at their monastery and attend their unique sunset prayer..Enroute visit the Nuapatan textile village to see the live weaving. Overnight stay in a hotel/ in the royal palace.

BHITARKANIKA SANCTURAY

Day 21: Tuesday

Enjoy the boat trip in the Bhitarkanika mangrove biodiversity to see the crocodiles , deers . Enjoy the nature at her best and also visit the unspoiled villages. Overnight stay in an eco resort amidst the nature.

PURI

Day 22: Wednesday

After a peaceful morning proceed to Puri –the interesting pilgrim city. Free afternoon to relax by the sea.or a leisurly walk along the beach market to see the activities on the beach.Overnight stay in Puri.

PURI-EXCURSION TO KONARK

Day 23: Thursday

Morning explore old Puri by the Green rider rickshaw ride which cover the interesting naroow lanes, small shrines, majestic views of great Jagannath temple, Cremation place, local market, beach market . afternoon excursion to Konark to see the world heritage , and sun temple. . Late evening drive back to Puri and overnight stay.

PURI

Day 24: Friday

Free morning to relax by the beach,  Short excursion to various rural villages . Visit the artist and painter village, farmer village, pottery village, Brahmin village , fisherman village. Enjoy the traditional lunch  and Gotipua dance at the traditional Gurukul school. Drive back to Puri and overnight stay. Enjoy the dinner in a local restuarant.

BHUBANESWAR  DEPARTURE

Day 25: Saturday

Morning departure for Bhubaneswar to board the flight for your onward journey.