Rapid Fire
Lanjia Saora Tribe
- 16 Apr 2026
- 2 min read
Recently, the Lanjia Saora tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Odisha, was highlighted for its evolving cultural practices.
- About Lanjia Saora: The Lanjia Saora are a subgroup of the Saora tribe, inhabiting the forested hills of Rayagada and Gajapati districts in Odisha.
- The Saora are considered among the ancient tribal communities of India and are also found in states like Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh.
- The tribe includes groups such as Lanjia Saora (hill-dwelling, shifting cultivation) and Sudha Saora (plains, settled agriculture and wage work).
- Language: They speak Saora, a Mundari language belonging to the Austroasiatic family.
- Lifestyle and Culture: The community sustains itself through shifting cultivation, foraging, and small-scale farming. Their belief system is closely tied to nature, with rituals, music, and dance forming an integral part of daily life.
- Traditional Ornaments: They are known for large metal earrings fixed into stretched earlobes and tattoos with geometric and nature-inspired motifs, which hold spiritual significance.
- Younger members are adapting traditions by using detachable ornaments and temporary tattoos, reflecting a balance between tradition and modernity.
- Dance & Music: They perform vibrant dances with spontaneous songs, using instruments like brass pipes, cymbals and gongs, with distinctive attire such as turbans with crane feathers, umbrellas, swords and peacock plumes.
| Read more: Lanjia Saora Tribe |
