Present Scenario of Bathudi culture and Society

Abstract

Abstract: Odisha has one of the largest concentrations of tribal population in the whole country. In concrete figure they number around 8 million. Tribal communities differ from all others in many aspects, their distinctive features being clan organization and territorial exogamy, class’s social structure, youth dormitory, colourful rituals and folk art, music and dance. The 62 tribes in Odisha wary in their size, degree of acculturation and economic patterns. While the Kondhs numbering around nine lakh are numerically the largest in the state. the Santals are among the three largest and advanced tribes in the country. The major tribes living in Odisha are the Bathudi, Santhals, Oraons, Gonds and Kondhs. Although many of the Adivasi tribes are found in other parts of the country, the Juangs, Bhuyans, Saoras, Bondas and Bathudis are exclusive to Odisha. The tribal Communities are in various stages of economic and social development starting with the least developed Bondas and ending with the comparatively advanced Santals, the spectrum covering seminomadic to semiurban conditions. Keyword: exogamy, acculturation, Juangs, Bhuyans, Saoras, Bondas and Bathudis