The Gadaba Tribe And Their Socio Cultural Life

Description

ABOUT THE BOOK

The book provides a comprehensive study of the Gadaba tribal society, its socio-cultural systems, changes, and development. The Gadaba tribe is unique to the Hill ranges of Eastern Ghat in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, constituting an ethno-cultural group with no presence elsewhere in the country. Isolated in their remote mountain abode, the Gadaba are known for their peaceful, hospitable, and gentle nature, maintaining inter-ethnic amity through their conscientious attitude.
The Gadaba are a colorful tribe and belong to the Mundari-speaking tribes of Odisha, classified as Munda or Kolarian based on linguistic grounds. They engage in agriculture, wage labor, and hunting, and their ancestors are said to have settled in Nandapur after emigrating from the Godavari River bank. Kinship plays a vital role in their social organization, and they prefer marrying within their relations.
The book explores the unique socio-cultural, socio-political, and socio-economic organization of the Gadaba society, along with their splendid oral literature comprising myths, folktales, songs, proverbs, and riddles. Festive occasions and life-cycle rituals involve singing, dancing, and expressions of emotions. The Gadaba also enjoy hunting with traditional weapons.
Despite the significant anthropological research on various tribes in Odisha, the Gadaba community remains relatively understudied. This book aims to fill this gap, providing a new outlook on the socio-cultural life and changes within the Gadaba tribe and its role in the overall development of tribal communities in India. It sheds light on the tribe’s unique customs, traditions, and way of life, presenting valuable insights into the rich diversity of tribal cultures in the country.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dambaru Sisa (Born-1980) belongs to a primitive tribal community Bonda. Graduating with honours in Mathematics, obtained Post Graduate degree (LLM) in Law from Berhampur University, Odisha. He is continuing his PhD course on tribal study from KIIT School of Law, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. He has been associated with a number of tribal Social organizations. He hold important portfolio of Odisha Government during 2011 to 2019. He holds the post of Chairman, Odisha State Cotton Federation (COTFED), and Govt. of Odisha from 2011 to 2013. He was the first member of Primitve tribe Bonda community who was elected as the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in 2014 in Odisha State Assembly.